Alexei Volkov
Plastic shoes are notoriously uncomfortable, with very little flexibility or give. They can also irritate the skin and trap heat and sweat, leading to bacterial or fungal growth. However, there are several methods to soften and stretch plastic shoes for a more comfortable fit. One method is to use a hairdryer on the highest setting, holding it a few inches away from the shoe for 20-30 seconds at a time. Another method is to use a wooden shoe stretcher, which can be purchased online or at a shoe repair store. Additionally, wearing thick socks or using freezing bags of water inside the shoes can help stretch them. It is important to note that stretching plastic shoes may ruin them, so caution should be exercised.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic shoes stretchable? | Plastic shoes have very little flexibility and cannot be stretched much. |
| How to soften plastic shoes? | Use a blow dryer on the highest setting, a few inches away from the shoe, in 20-30 second intervals. Walk around in the shoes while they are still hot. |
| Other methods | Use a shoe stretcher, freeze bags of water inside the shoes, fill the shoes with wet newspaper, or use a hairdryer with a bunch of cloth pushed into the toe. |
| Plastic shoes limitations | Plastic shoes can trap moisture and sweat, leading to bacterial or fungal growth. Plastic is also a common allergen and can cause contact dermatitis. |
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What You'll Learn
Stretch with a blow dryer
Stretching plastic shoes with a blow dryer is an effective way to get a custom fit for your shoes. First, put on a pair of thick socks or two pairs of normal socks. Put on the plastic shoes that you want to stretch. The shoes should feel tight, and that is okay. Set your blow dryer to the hottest or medium setting and hold it a few inches away from the areas of your shoes that feel tight. Be sure to move the dryer back and forth to prevent scorching the shoe. Use the blow dryer in 15-30-second intervals. While blow-drying, wiggle your toes and move your feet around to help stretch the material.
For shoes with zippers, work the zipper up as you heat the shoe to promote stretching and a perfect fit. Once the shoes are moulded to your feet, walk around in them while they are still hot from the blow dryer to allow the shoes to stretch more. Leave on the thick socks until the shoes have cooled to prevent the shoes from shrinking back to their original size. If the shoes still don't feel right, put the socks back on and continue to blow-dry and stretch. Work the shoe with heat and your foot until it fits exactly how you want.
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Use a shoe stretcher
Using a shoe stretcher is a great way to soften and stretch plastic shoes. Shoe stretchers are available in a variety of styles, depending on the type of shoe you want to stretch. Different stretchers are available for flats, boots, and high heels, and they can be used to adjust the length, width, or both. One shoe stretcher typically works for both the left and right shoe.
To use a shoe stretcher, start by determining whether you need to adjust the length, width, or both. Then, purchase a wooden shoe stretcher that fits your needs. Before using the stretcher, put on a pair of thick wool socks and then put on the shoes. Next, set your blow dryer to the hottest setting and hold it a few inches away from the tight-fitting areas of your shoes. Blast those areas with hot air in 20-30-second intervals. Be sure to wiggle your feet and toes to help the plastic expand.
After heating the shoes, you can use the shoe stretcher. Hand-crank the stretcher to the appropriate tension to stretch your shoes. Leave the stretcher in your shoes for at least three days to maintain the stretch. You can also leave the shoe stretchers in your shoes whenever you're not wearing them to continue stretching them over time.
While shoe stretchers are an effective way to soften and stretch plastic shoes, it's important to note that stretching plastic shoes too much can risk ruining them. If you're unsure or uncomfortable with using a shoe stretcher, you can always take your shoes to a local shoe repair or cobbler to have them professionally stretched.
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Freeze bags of water inside
If your plastic shoes are a bit too tight, you can try freezing bags of water inside to stretch them to a better fit. This method works because, as water freezes, it expands, and this expansion will stretch your shoes.
To start, grab two strong plastic baggies that are made for the freezer. Fill each bag halfway with water. You don't want to overfill the bags because they might break and cause water damage to your shoes. Remove the excess air from the bags, seal them tightly, and check for leaks.
Next, push one bag into the toe area of one shoe, and repeat with the second bag and the other shoe. Make sure the bags fit snugly inside the shoes and fill the volume that you wish to stretch. Protect the outer sides of your shoes by placing them inside another plastic bag before putting them in the freezer.
Leave the shoes in the freezer for at least six hours or overnight. The following morning, take the shoes out and allow them to thaw for 20 to 30 minutes. Then, break the ice out of the shoes. Try on your shoes to see if they have stretched enough. If not, you can repeat the freezing process until you get the desired fit.
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Fill with wet newspaper
To soften plastic shoes, one method is to fill them with wet newspaper. This is a good technique to stretch plastic shoes, which are difficult to stretch and can be damaged if stretched too much.
To do this, get some newspaper and soak it in water. You want the newspaper to be damp, but not dripping wet. Stuff the wet newspaper into the shoes, filling them entirely. Place the shoes on a warm heat source, such as a radiator, and let the water evaporate. Make sure all the water dries out, so the shoes do not stay damp. This method should stretch the shoes by about one shoe size.
You can also wrap the outside of the shoes with newspaper and secure it with rubber bands, which will help the outside of the shoes to dry faster. You may need to change the newspaper once or twice, as it will absorb the water from the shoes.
This method is useful if you don't have access to a dryer, and it can be done anywhere you can find a newspaper. It is a good way to dry shoes overnight, and it will not damage your shoes or leave a bad smell in the dryer.
It is worth noting that the newspaper ink may bleed onto the shoes, but this is usually minimal and can be rubbed away with socks. If you are concerned about ink transfer, you can use blank newsprint paper instead.
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Take them to a cobbler
While it is possible to soften plastic shoes yourself, a cobbler can help you do this professionally. Cobblers have stretching machines that can increase the length and width of your shoes. They can stretch the front of your shoe if your toes are being squished, and they can also stretch the calf area of boots if they are too tight.
However, it is important to note that patent leather and some plastics are trickier to work with and may not be able to be stretched very much. If you are unsure, it is best to ask a cobbler directly about their experience with stretching plastic shoes.
Cobblers can also help with other aspects of your shoes. They can fix severe damage such as deep scratches, scuffs, and holes. They can replace worn-out soles, swap out soles for rubber versions, and even change the colour of your shoes. Additionally, they can add toe pads for protection if you're tired of scuffing the front of your shoes.
Cobblers offer preventive care, such as weatherproofing your shoes, which can be especially useful if you have suede shoes. They can also put in inserts to ease the pain of a tight strap or heel, add heel grips to the bottom of treadless shoes, and lifts to low-to-the-ground shoes that are prone to fast damage.
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Frequently asked questions
There are a few ways to soften plastic shoes, but be careful not to overdo it as they can tear. You can try using a blow dryer on the hottest setting, holding it a few inches from the shoe and heating the tight areas in 20-30 second intervals. Wiggle your toes and move your foot to allow the plastic to expand. You can also try putting your shoes in the freezer, or filling them with wet newspaper and placing them on a warm heat source.
Put on thick socks, then put on the shoes. Hold the blow dryer a few inches away from the shoe and turn it on to the hottest setting. Heat the tight areas in 20-30 second intervals. Wiggle your toes and move your foot to stretch the shoe. Walk around in the shoes while they are still hot to help them stretch further.
Make a paper ball out of newspaper or gift tissue and dampen it with water. Stuff the damp paper into your shoes, then place the shoes on a warm heat source like a radiator. Leave the shoes there until all the water has evaporated from the paper. This method should stretch your shoes by about one EU size.
