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Homemade Liquid Shoe Stretch

November 25, 2015

I am about to try this, but thought I'd share it meanwhile. From what I've read here, I think I'll try dipping a laundry softener sheet into 1/3 rubbing alcohol and 2/3 water mixture.

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This will be thin enough to wear a while, but will also carry the stuff mentioned in other recipes here. Maybe I'm on to something?

 
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9 Questions

Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.

November 14, 2010

How do I make shoe stretcher spray?

By joe from NY

Answers

November 16, 201010 found this helpful

I worked in the shoe business for over 30 years. You can make shoe stretch by combining equal parts rubbing alcohol and water, BUT the most important thing is the stretcher itself. You have to soak the leather until thoroughly wet then use a form inside of the wet leather to stretch where needed. We used an old wooden shoe form that would spread apart as we turned a screw.

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It had attachments for bunions areas and etc. Unless you have a good mechanical stretcher, no liquid will work. I've heard of people spraying the shoe and then trying to wear it to make it stretch- it will not work! It'll actually compress the leather (and your foot) and make the shoe smaller! (And hard to get off!) Hope this helps.

 
December 21, 20102 found this helpful

Use body lotion. I have had good luck using body lotion or hand lotion to rub into the inside of the shoe where it needs to be stretched, then wearing it. Wearing thicker socks also helps. I have a two way shoe stretcher which works well for length and width but if the shoe is tight in the vamp/instep, the shoe stretcher doesn't work there.

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So I just work a liberal amount of lotion inside the shoe all around the whole area that is tight. The shoe stretcher does not widen the toe or raise the toe either, so I dampen a wad of tissue, wedge it in just right, and then force it with the shoe stretcher for a day or two to dry.

 
March 30, 20163 found this helpful

@ Tizzette,

You might want to position the stretcher at 90 degrees from the normal position, in the instep, and try opening the stretcher.

We used to use this method on boots purchased by customers who had a high insteps. We also would use a stretching solution, when doing this. Allow the boots to sit overnight, at least. If need be, do multiple times.

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Also, make sure your leather has dried, before removing the stretcher, or the leather will want to shrink back to its original shape, and size!

 
Anonymous
April 11, 20170 found this helpful

in the shoe shop did you still use the 50/50 liquid or did you use the stretcher with heat? if you suggest heat with a mens casual leather shoe about what temp and how long at temp? Thank you!!

 
August 11, 20174 found this helpful

The best way to stretch your leather boots is to mix 1/3 cup of rubbing alcohol with 2/3 cup hottest tolerable water a cap or two of fabric softener mix it all well then put 3/4 of the mixture into a spay bottle, sorry the mixture inside of your boot in the area/s you want to stretch, then with the 1/4 that is left over pour it onto your socks in the areas that you need the extra room put the boots on and wear them for the day. Top Tip.. DONT GO OVERBOARD WITH THE SPRAY. You can do it over a couple of days to get the best fit. I just stretched my new Doctor Martins using this exact method 2 days and they feel like they were custom made for my foot. OHH DONT SPREY THE OUT SIDE OF THE BOOTS. Good luck guys n girls. Seize 11/8/2017

 

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August 11, 20172 found this helpful

I put plastic bags in the shoe, fill with water, seal tightly, and freeze. That will stretch the shoe.

 
January 15, 20180 found this helpful

Thanks! I am a dancer and baton twirler and have started using shoe stretch liquid with an old rubber-soled shoe (with an old sock in bunion areas to get more space there) covered in a sock to stretch out leather jazz shoes to make them more comfortable. ( haven't invested in a wooden shoe stretcher yet)

 
Anonymous
April 17, 20190 found this helpful

I have sprayed shoe stretcher on my cowboy boots while wearing them and it damn sure worked for me , no problem at all

 
Anonymous
April 17, 20190 found this helpful

I have sprayed shoe stretcher on my cowboy boots while wearing them and it damn sure worked for me , no problem at all

 
November 2, 20200 found this helpful

Body lotion worked! I read on here to try all these things and I didnt have the alcohol and didnt want to run and but it as I had plans. So I tried the body lotion with thicker socks... I mean I used a very very generous amount in my Doc Martins which doesnt come in half sizes and the 8 would be too big.

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I previously worn these very same shoes and got a blister on my heel. After using the lotion it stretched them and now I love them.

 
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February 14, 2012

How do I make shoe stretching spray?

By gadson

Answers

February 16, 20121 found this helpful

This may sound a little bizarre! Soak and then wring out, a pair of socks, with rubbing alcohol. Put these socks on your feet. Then put on the too tight shoes, and wear the shoes for at least an hour. This should stretch your shoes!

 
February 16, 20120 found this helpful

1/3 rubbing alcohol to 2 parts water. Put into a spray bottle. Spray then wear shoes as they dry.
This is what is in the expensive sprays.

 
February 2, 20200 found this helpful

Thank you! Thank you and Thank you - I just tried your measure after 1 hour wearing my boots last night. With 15 mins - my boots are feeling good

 
February 2, 20200 found this helpful

*mixture

 
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April 14, 2013

Do these homemade solutions work on non-leather shoes? I bought a pair for a wedding that have a satin finish on the outside and man-made material inside.

By Rita A.

Answers

June 3, 20152 found this helpful

70% rubbing alcohol 1/4 cup
glycerine 1 tbsp
liquid softener 1cap full
water 2 cups warm
* mix all ingredients in a spray bottle while waters still warm stay problem areas on shoe while wearing or stuff shoe with a white sock and spray. let dry, repeat as needed til you achieve comfort.

 
March 30, 20161 found this helpful

FYI: a lot of "man-made" materials typically won't stretch very much, i.e.: plastic or "poly-type" materials.

 
November 15, 20210 found this helpful

And if you try stretching shoes made of man-made materials you may end up separating the shoe portion (the top portion of the shoe) from the sole - and have NO shoe!

 
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June 20, 2014

How do I make homemade liquid shoe stretch?

By Carrie D.

Answers

June 22, 20140 found this helpful

Dampen a bar of soap with water, rub it on the inside of the shoe, then put the shoe on your foot. Repeat as necessary until the shoe has stretched enough.

 
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January 16, 2014

What can be used to stretch out fabric/non-leather tennis shoes without staining them?

By KB from Indianapolis, IN

Answers

September 25, 20150 found this helpful

Fabric won't stretch, you'll end up thinning the fibers and getting holes. A synthetic leather shoe or a leather shoe can be stretched with a broom handle and elbow grease

 
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Archives

ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.

September 10, 2009

What kind of alcohol do you use to stretch leather shoes?

 
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November 14, 2010

How do you make your own shoe stretch liquid?

 
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February 15, 2009
Click to read more ideas from older posts on ThriftyFun.
 
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