Shoe stretchers are special tools made for shoe stretching, which are often the most effective way to make tight shoes more comfortable. These tools can be somewhat difficult to find, however, and it may be easier to stretch shoes in other ways. Walking in a pair of tight shoes, for instance, will often stretch them a bit, but this can also lead to blisters. Damp newspaper can also be used to fill shoes, and as it dries it will expand, which may stretch the shoes. Some people also place sealed plastic bags with water in shoes and allow the water to freeze.
Tight shoes are an uncomfortable inconvenience for some people. This problem can occur for a number of reasons. A person’s foot may become slightly larger, for instance, or a shoe may shrink over time. As long as shoes are less than a half a size too small, they should be able to be stretched enough to make them comfortable.
A shoe stretcher is a special tool that can be used for stretching shoes. Most shoe stretchers are made from sturdy wood or plastic. These stretchers can be used to make shoes longer or wider. Some stretchers are designed for making more room in the toe area.
Using a shoe stretcher is generally very simple. First, a special liquid for shoe stretching is sprayed on the shoe. The stretcher is then placed inside the shoe, and it is expanded, usually by turning a knob. Today, however, these shoe stretching tools can be a little difficult to obtain, so some people prefer to use simpler shoe stretching methods.
One of the most popular ways to stretch a pair of shoes is simply to wear them. If this method is used, very thick socks should be worn as well. This method of shoe stretching can be very uncomfortable for some, however, and painful blisters will often appear if the tight shoes are worn for too long.
Newspaper pages can also be used to stretch shoes. The pages should be dipped in water and rung out before being packed tightly into the shoes. Once they are in the shoes, there should be no bumps or irregularities on the surfaces of the shoes, since these can be permanent after the newspaper dries. As the paper dries, it will expand a little. This will cause the pages to push on the inside of the shoes and stretch the material.
Sealed plastic bags filled with water can also be used for shoe stretching. These bags should be placed in the shoes, and the shoes should then be placed in a freezer. When the water freezes, it will expand and push on the insides of the shoes, which will stretch them out.