Suede is one of the most capricious materials used to make shoes. Such products wear out quickly if you do not pay proper attention to them. Suede can be either natural or artificial. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.
For example, natural suede repels water well and allows air to circulate while retaining heat.
However, it is more demanding to maintain and products made from it are more expensive. Synthetic fabric provides less wearing comfort, but does not fade in the sun, can have any color and is generally more durable. Information. Another well-known quality of suede is elasticity.
But despite this, such products are much more difficult to increase in width than, for example, leather shoes. The problem lies in the “capriciousness” of the material. In the process of stretching, it can easily be damaged, as a result of which the shoes will lose their attractiveness.
However, do not despair if suddenly the shoes you recently purchased turned out to be ill-fitting. You can soften or stretch suede shoes, and for this you do not have to spend money on the services of a specialist. You can increase the size at home. What methods are suitable for this, and what is better not to do, we will consider in this article.
How to quickly soften narrow suede shoes
Suede shoes are not designed for daily wear in the winter or autumn seasons. The reason for this is the poor resistance of the material to moisture. The fabric quickly absorbs water, which necessitates the regular use of special protective compounds.
However, this feature of suede can be beneficial if you need to quickly soften it for breaking in shoes that feel tight in the foot.
There is no need to put your shoes in a bath of water or keep them under the tap: steam treatment is enough.
Place it over a pan of boiling water or run a steam cleaner over the surface of the product.
The result will not take long to arrive.
Vinegar provides a similar effect. Dilute a tablespoon of 9 or 5% solution in a liter of water. Wipe your shoes with a sponge soaked in this mixture several times until you notice that the fabric has become more pliable. If vinegar is not available, ammonia can be used instead.
Glycerin is also suitable for softening suede. Dissolve half a teaspoon of the product in a liter of water, and then apply it to your shoes using a cloth. Remove excess liquid from the surface of the material with a dry cloth.
When treating the material with one of the above compounds to soften it, do not allow the fabric to become excessively wet. Suede is extremely sensitive to moisture, so it can quickly deteriorate if treated in this way.
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The best shoe stretchers
There is always a whole range of shoe stretching products on sale. The following list is especially popular and gives great effect.
Salton professional complex comfort
The product is applicable to the skin, increases size and corrects shape. The owner of a pair will be free from discomfort with any type of shoe.
Salamander shoe stretch
Salamander processes leather and suede, making comfortable, soft shoes. Spray on the inner and outer surfaces, after which the shoes are worn in for 30 minutes.
Touch comfort
The product stretches different models in tight places. Increases the flexibility of suede, leather, textiles.
Damavik shoe stretch spray
The composition is good for treating specific areas that it quickly corrects. Shoes increase in length and width without deformation. The results are durable. The product does not destroy materials.
Olvist 2095es
The product corrects the shape of leather shoes and stretches them. You should act according to the instructions, which you must first read.
Dividik
A universal preparation in the form of foam with a pleasant smell for all materials. The inner surface of the product is processed, then it is put on the sock.
Pregrada
The spray is easy to use for any skin type. You need to spray it on the inner surface and put on your shoes. Rough places will become softer.
Boots, shoes, sneakers made of suede
After the fabric has softened, you can proceed directly to stretching. However, it is important to do this correctly, otherwise you may damage the material.
Important! Do not use leather stretchers and be careful when handling items with fur. The use of such products will negatively affect the appearance of the material.
They contain oil components that will leave greasy stains on your shoes. Also, do not ask someone with larger feet to wear your shoes. Of course, the product will change its shape. But it is worth considering that suede is an easily deformable material.
If you stretch the shoes too much, the shoes will simply fly off your feet, and you will not be able to return to the original result.
Just as you won’t be able to hand over your shoes to the store because they have lost their presentation.
Sometimes it becomes necessary to increase the boot length of winter boots. In this case, the following algorithm of actions will help:
- Unzip;
- Place a soaked napkin inside the straightened boot;
- Iron it.
Under the influence of the resulting steam, the suede will become more pliable, and the boots will stretch a little in the calves.
What not to do
Do not use aggressive substances, because they can damage the material or ruin its color. You shouldn't get your shoes too wet either. Wetting suede can cause deformation of the product. You can ruin your shoes if you immediately try to stretch the shoes too much.
At the time when attempts are made to make the size larger on your own, you should not go outside, i.e. take long walks. Wet suede material will attract dirt.
Do not dry soft, velvety skin near a radiator or other heater. Even if the shoes were the appropriate size, after this procedure they may become tight.
It is not recommended to entrust the increase by wearing it in to another person whose feet are larger. Such actions may result in the product becoming larger than necessary.
Is it possible to stretch at home?
Suede (especially natural) has fairly high elasticity. The material stretches noticeably during wear. Most owners of suede shoes probably noted that even if the shoes were slightly small or chafed at first after purchase, later they fit exactly on their feet.
For this reason, the main advice that is usually given to those who bought shoes that are a little too big is to wear them more.
During movement, the fabric is deformed and the product increases in rise.
Wet the inside of new shoes with water, put them on with cotton socks and walk around the house like this for 2-3 hours every day.
At the same time, it is advisable to do something active, for example, cleaning. This will speed up the process, and after just a few days the shoes can be worn constantly.
However, this is a rather long way. In addition, walking in uncomfortable shoes can be accompanied by pain. For such cases, there are methods that allow you to stretch suede shoes at home quickly and without causing yourself discomfort.
Freezing
This is a slightly extreme method that requires accuracy and caution, but it is rightfully considered one of the most effective. To do this, you will need two bags, preferably with a tight zip-lock fastener. The bags are carefully placed in the shoes and filled with water. Need to watch. To prevent water from getting on your shoes, only in bags.
- As soon as the internal space is completely filled with water, the bag is tied and the shoes are placed in the freezer overnight.
- When water freezes, it expands slightly in volume, so this helps increase the volume.
This method is considered the most effective and is suitable for stretching a couple literally overnight, which is important, especially if the pair was purchased for some celebration that will take place the next day.
However, in this case you need to be extremely careful. The bags must be strong and intact, without holes; while pouring, you must constantly ensure that no water gets on the surface of the shoes; the fasteners must be strong and close tightly, otherwise water may spill out in the freezer and ruin the shoes.
Some people fill bags with cereal instead of water; this is less traumatic for the shoes, but also does not increase their size as quickly.
The advantage of suede shoes is their appearance, elasticity and pliability. If the pair is not urgently needed, then within a few days it will fit on its own, walking in it will become comfortable, no additional funds or efforts will be needed.
But in an emergency, any method will do. It is important to remember that suede requires more careful handling than leather. She does not like excess moisture, pressure and strong stretching. It needs to be handled delicately, then the pair of shoes will last a long time.
Stretch up a size
When stretching suede shoes, you should not expect to add two or more sizes. The parameters of the sole do not change, so you can only slightly increase the height of the boot body.
The fabric must be soaked before stretching. How to do this is described above. Here are a few methods that are widely used today to increase the size of suede shoes:
- Freezing. You will need a couple of balloons or plastic bags. Fill each of them with water (about half), tie them and place them in the shoes that need to be stretched. Place the shoes in the freezer and leave them overnight. As you know, water tends to expand when it freezes. The material will be subjected to uniform pressure from the inside, which will allow it to change shape. Using this method, you can also increase the volume of the boot top;
- Treatment with alcohol. Dilute 1 part alcohol in the same amount of water. Use a cotton swab soaked in the solution to treat those parts of the shoe where it rubs or pinches. Put it on and walk around like this for a couple of hours;
- Treatment with vinegar. It is produced in a similar way, only instead of alcohol, a low concentration solution of table vinegar is used;
- Use of special means. In stores you can find foams and sprays that soften suede when applied. Distribute the product over the surface of the product and walk around in it a little. The result will be noticeable immediately;
- Stretching with a block. This method is used in shoe workshops. The last is a rigid base that is placed in the shoe, and then gradually expanded with the help of special spacers. It can also be used independently at home, and there is no need to pre-steam the fabric. However, it is better to use emollients to speed up the process.
Attention! Suede can only be wiped with alcohol from the inside, otherwise it will change color and become stained.
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During wear, suede can gradually return to its original shape in the first stages. To prevent this from happening, purchase softening shoe cosmetics, stuff your shoes with paper while drying, or periodically use a shoe last.
How to soften a back that is too hard
Also effective in the heel area are methods of freezing, stretching with cereal, heating with boiling water or a hairdryer. For rough fabrics or narrow heels, it is recommended to rub the inside of the heel for 5-7 days before each wear or at night:
- vegetable oil (soybean, sunflower);
- vinegar solution;
- medical alcohol;
- soap;
- wax.
It is recommended to cover the heel with a damp cloth and lightly tap it with a hammer on both sides.
You need to be careful when choosing shoes, choose the exact fit if possible, and check comfort by walking in them in the store. But don't despair if your suede shoes are too tight or chafing—you can fix the problem yourself or by taking it to a repair shop.
Natural suede
As you know, suede can be natural or synthetic. In the first case, the material is made from the skins of cattle, deer, and sheep. This suede is a finely crafted leather with a velvety surface on one side. You can distinguish it from an artificial analogue by several characteristics:
- Specific smell;
- Different direction of the villi;
- The material quickly absorbs moisture;
- Uneven shade;
- Presence of small scratches and pores.
In addition, products made from this material simply cannot have a low cost. Natural suede demonstrates high elasticity, so stretching it will not be difficult. All the problems here are related solely to the fragility of the material.
Shoes can easily lose their former appearance if you handle the fabric carelessly or use aggressive agents or products intended for other materials to soften them.
Precautionary measures
Suede is a capricious material. It can be easily spoiled. Any aggressive agents (vinegar, alcohol, etc.) cannot be applied to the outside of the material, otherwise white spots will appear on it. You cannot use any kind of creams, as they spoil the velvety quality.
You should not treat shoes with hot air (only warm air is allowed) and boiling water, as this can cause deformation of the material. Shoes should be carefully cleaned after each wear. To do this, use rubber brushes and a damp cloth.
To preserve suede shoes you need to give up:
- from washing under running water;
- from storage in a bent form;
- from creams.
Careful care will extend the life of your shoes or boots. Over time, they will expand on their own. In some cases, shoes may start to feel loose on your feet. To preserve the appearance of velvet material, it is better to use special cleaning products for suede. They will not harm and will easily remove minor stains. Many of them also perform a water-repellent function.
Faux suede
Artificial suede differs from natural suede in that it is based on woven or non-woven fabric. In the latter case, the pile is simply glued onto it or its role is played by looped threads. Woven fabric is made from microfiber threads, which become lint during processing on special equipment.
This method is more complex and the material obtained in this way is quite expensive, although, of course, less than natural suede.
The advantage of artificial suede is that it has higher strength compared to its natural counterpart.
This material has no defects, does not fade over time, and is not afraid of exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
However, due to the lack of pores, it allows air to pass through less well, but in general this does not cause serious inconvenience.
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You can stretch shoes made of artificial suede in the same way as those made of natural or nubuck. The main thing is when purchasing softening agents, make sure that they are marked “for suede” and, upon completion of the procedures, thoroughly dry the product.
Are any shoes stretchable?
Genuine leather just stretches. Suede is especially flexible. But artificial ones can cause difficulties and become damaged if due care is not taken. The following list includes materials that stretch without harm:
- Leather
- Suede
- Textile
- Nubuck
If the shoes are expensive, it is better to contact a workshop specialist. They will complete the task efficiently, as they use the appropriate equipment. Shoes and boots are increased by one size without haste or damage.
