Homemade Liquid Shoe Stretch

By

Tizzette

12/21/2010

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. 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.

By

09dsh

11/16/2010

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. 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.

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

Alphonzo

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RE: Homemade Liquid Shoe Stretch

Try using scented body spray from the dollar store. The first ingredient listed is alcohol, and it really does work. Just spray both inside and outside of the shoe, and wear until it dries. Repeat if needed.

If the shoe has a suede type finish, spray only the inside. This is cheap (only $1), and smells better than Shoe stretch or plain alcohol. Since it is meant to be sprayed on skin, it doesn't seem to irritate the skin on your feet while you are wearing the shoes waiting for them to dry. (02/16/2009)

By jean

RE: Homemade Liquid Shoe Stretch

You can use cheap dollar store cologne to stretch shoes, as it is almost all alcohol anyway! I spray the tight spot both inside and out and then wear the shoe to stretch the leather out. You may have to spray several times. It works best with shoes that are not lined or have leather linings - although I have also tried it with some success on fabric shoes, too. (02/16/2009)

By pamphyila

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How do you make your own shoe stretch liquid?

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