Suede shoes have not lost popularity over time: they are practical and elegant. Very often, when trying on such shoes in a store, you may not notice slight chafing and discomfort. Subsequently, this can cause serious calluses and pain during wear. Suede is a malleable material, so such a misunderstanding can be easily corrected using various methods. Find out how to do this in this article.
What you need to stretch suede
First, you need to accept 2 nuances: even such a soft material cannot be increased by several sizes or centimeters in the volume of the boot. Only small inaccuracies in size that cause discomfort can be corrected. If the shoes are several sizes too small, unfortunately, this cannot be corrected. Secondly, only natural material can be stretched: it is due to its specific properties that such a transformation is possible. In the case of its substitutes, there is a high risk of damaging the product.
Adviсe
- Avoid excessive wetting of the material during the procedure.It may lose color and texture, and streaks and stains may form on it.
- Do not use skin stretching products: they are not universal. The composition contains oil components that will ruin the surface of the suede.
- If your shoes are very wet, dry them by placing paper or starch inside. Otherwise, there is a high risk that it will decrease in size.
IMPORTANT, avoid drying with very high temperatures: near radiators or using a hair dryer.
- Do not use lasts (wooden, plastic) to stretch leather shoes.
- Do not give the product to a person with a larger foot size: the material will be deformed, the pair will be too large.
Stretching
It is best to take it to a specialized workshop: there it will be stretched professionally, using a block. But there are methods to help you do this at home.
Block
- If a little stretch is needed, try breaking the pair in. Put on a cotton sock, then lightly wet it with a spray bottle. Carry out the procedure for 3 days - the shoes will stretch by several millimeters.
- Lightly wet the shoes under hot water until they warm up. Wear thick socks and wear a pair for several hours. IMPORTANT: You need to wet it only slightly, achieving moisturizing and not wetness. The method is suitable for shoes, boots and boots.
- If the product feels tight in the front, fill the necessary places with moistened paper or newspapers. Leave until completely dry.
- Use steam: leave your shoes in the steam for a short time until they are warm and moisturized. Put it on and walk around the house for a few hours. REFERENCE method is suitable for almost all types: from sandals to warm winter boots. This treatment has a beneficial effect on the structure of the material.
- Dilute alcohol or vodka in water in a 1:1 ratio. Moisten the required areas of the product from the inside with the resulting solution. Put on your boots and walk in them for several hours. IMPORTANT: Only the inside of the product should be treated with alcohol. Under no circumstances try it on from the outside: the suede will lose color and deteriorate.
- It is believed that you can increase the width with beer. Moisten a napkin with beer and treat the inside of the product, let it dry. HELP: It is better to use light-colored drinks, otherwise stains will remain.
- Freezing. Extreme option. Take two strong bags, fill them halfway with water, and tie them securely. Place them in the product and place it in the freezer, leaving it overnight. The essence of the method is that during expansion, water affects the material of the shoe, which leads to expansion.
Bootleg
Vinegar. Spray the inside of the boot with regular vinegar. After the procedure, the material will stretch better.
Iron. Take the boot, unfasten it, place it outside down on the ironing board. Cover the boot with a napkin slightly tarred with water. Set the iron to the optimal temperature (not as high as possible) and carefully iron the boot with an iron. Put on your boots and walk around in them for a while. Under the influence of temperature, the material becomes soft, pliable, elastic, but do not allow too much heating.
REFERENCE. It is better not to use on models with too thick fur.
Using stretch foam
There are specialized sprays/foams for stretching suede shoes; they are sold in stores. The principle of their operation and use may vary slightly, but the general steps are the same.
Application: read instructions.Apply the required amount of product onto a napkin or cotton pad and treat the required areas on the outside of the product. Some manufacturers suggest doing this from the inside. Put your shoes on for half an hour or stuff them tightly with paper.
REFERENCE. Such means allow you to stretch suede faster and more efficiently.
Bootleg
The foam is also suitable for stretching the boot tops. To do this, you need to stretch the boot, unfold the boot and treat it with the product. Then place a napkin on it and gently iron it.
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