How to make shoes softer at home. How to Soften Leather Shoes Without Excruciating Pain

Buying shoes is serious business. Often in the same shoes, boots, boots, we have to walk for several hours a day. What to do if the shoes turned out to be stiff and began to rub the feet? If you don’t want to part with a new couple at all, the problem can be fixed. Let's talk about how to soften uncomfortable shoes at home.

Why do shoes rub your feet

Everyone at least once in their life bought shoes that caused discomfort for a long time during wear. Even the most expensive genuine leather shoes can cause a lot of inconvenience to their owner, cause blisters and unbearable pain.

The main reason for the rigidity of new shoes is the poor quality of the product. A bad block or improper tailoring provokes the appearance of inconvenience, discomfort, and an ugly gait.

But not only new shoes can turn into a real disaster for their owner. During wear, some leather models also become rough and hard. The reason may be exposure to dirt, water, sweat, as well as improper drying, for example, on a radiator or heater.

Is it possible to return hard shoes to the store

If you nevertheless purchased shoes or sneakers and after a walk found that they rub your feet, is it possible to return such shoes to the seller? Do not flatter yourself, with such a claim they will not be accepted back. If the shoes do not show any factory defects that are revealed through the examination, it is impossible to return it to the store after wearing it.

Another case is also possible: you did not have time to wear the shoes and the warranty period (14 days from the date of purchase) has not yet expired. The boots have not lost their consumer look, but you have already realized that they are made of rough leather and will rub your feet. Then try to contact the seller, present unworn shoes, receipt, packaging, all labels and say that this product did not suit you in its shape, size, color, style, dimensions. There is a high probability that you will defend your rights and they will return your money or offer you another product.

To soften shoes, contact the workshop

In the case when the new shoes have already attracted attention, and you do not want to part with them even after they have rubbed more than one callus, you can give the new thing to a specialist to soften. This is done in any shoe shop.

Please note: the master will only accept shoes made of genuine leather or suede for softening.

To knead a couple of other materials, try using folk recipes.

How to soften shoes yourself: home remedies

The most proven method of breaking shoes, which our grandmothers used, is woolen socks. Soak them in alcohol or vodka, put on shoes and walk around in them for as long as possible. The alcohol will aggravate the surface of the shoe, and the sock will help it stretch faster.

This method is great for softening the seams of fabric sneakers or sneakers. When stretching leather shoes, it is better not to use alcohol.

How to stretch natural and artificial leather

If genuine leather shoes are very hard, put a soft cloth on the hard part and lightly tap on the right place with a hammer, then walk in the shoes. There is an effect - good, no - try again, but do not overdo it so as not to spoil the product.

Faux leather shoes can also be softened a little by using newspapers.

Wet crumpled pieces of newspaper.
Stuff your shoes tightly.
Leave until completely dry.

Some sources suggest softening shoes with glycerin or sunflower oil. We do not recommend that you use these products. Although sunflower oil will soften the skin, it will become even rougher over time. Glycerin will also give a good effect at first, but then the leather on the shoes will begin to crack.

How to make leather shoes soft - video

We remove the stiffness of patent leather shoes and boots

How to "make" new, but not too soft patent leather shoes "love" your legs? Models with a lacquer surface require a delicate attitude. One of the most effective ways to soften this material is any greasy cream and hair dryer.

Apply cream to the inside of the shoe.
Warm it up well from the inside.
Wear thick socks.
Put on your shoes and walk for the maximum amount of time.

Keep an eye on the temperature while warming up, shoes that are too high can lose their shine.

Softening shoes with a hair dryer - video

How to break in suede and nubuck shoes

You can soften suede shoes in the same ways that are used for leather products:

mechanical (beating with a hammer);
hot (using a hair dryer);
treatment with a skin softening spray bought in a store.

To soften nubuck, it is better to buy a special foam or resort to the help of professionals.

Please note that nubuck is capricious and does not like any greasy creams, alcohol, petroleum jelly, which leave stains and stains on its surface.

So that shoes do not rub: useful life hacks - video

Secrets of stretching rubber and tarpaulin boots

It is very easy to soften rubber shoes. This material is durable, so it can be treated with ordinary boiling water without fear and risk.

Pour boiling water into boots.
When the water has cooled down a bit, put on a few pairs of warm socks and boots on top.
Walk for 15-20 minutes, then cool the boots in cold water, moving your fingers intensively.

After this treatment, the rubber takes the shape of the foot and stops rubbing.

Sometimes it is required to soften tarpaulin boots. These shoes are made from several layers of durable cotton fabric impregnated with a rubber solution. Experts recommend applying emollients to problem areas:

hot goose fat;
Birch tar;
a mixture of beeswax and teak oil;
Castor oil.

Get rid of hard heels

An ordinary paraffin candle or laundry soap will help soften the backs a little. Rub one of these products on the inside of the heel of the shoe and try to walk. You can soften the backdrop with vinegar, abundantly wetting the skin with it in the problem area.

To make artificial shoe materials soft, alcohol diluted with water in a 1: 1 ratio will help. Moisten the heel with it and “break” it with your hands. Before the procedure, make sure that there is no cardboard insert in the heels, when wet, it will get wet and the shoes will lose their shape.

Softening the heel of shoes with a hammer - video

If your favorite shoes or new sneakers rub your skin, don't be discouraged. You can soften them at home. When choosing softeners, pay attention to the material from which the shoes are made. Choose the way that suits you and enjoy walking in your favorite shoes or sneakers!

One of the main characteristics of products made from natural materials is practicality, but despite this, you need to know how you can make the skin soft at home. Often clothes, shoes and accessories made of leather can lose their elasticity under the influence of a number of factors. However, do not despair, because there are ways to restore the properties of things. Some, for example, advise treating the surface of the product with oil to extend its life.

Why does the skin begin to tan

Due to the high performance of leather, outerwear, shoes and a fairly wide range of other products are made from it. In other words, we are talking about things that can be under the negative influence of aggressive environmental factors for a long time.

Despite the fact that such products tolerate moisture well due to a special impregnation that repels it, it is recommended to follow certain rules for processing the material. This is due to the fact that with a low probability, but water can still penetrate the inner surface of leather things. As a result, after complete drying, the skin becomes rougher, which creates discomfort during the further wearing of things and the use of accessories.

Important! Improper care, as well as violation of the rules for processing and storing things made of genuine leather after exposure to moisture and direct sunlight, inevitably leads to a noticeable coarsening of the material.

On the one hand, the most rational way to soften the skin is to seek help from professionals and use the services of dry cleaning. However, in some situations, it is possible to restore the elasticity of the material at home.

Effective ways to soften the skin at home

To effectively soften leather products, including shoes, at home, you may need the following tools: Now on the World Wide Web you can find a fairly large number of different advisers who recommend softening old leather by treating the surface of products with glycerin or vegetable oil. However, it is far from always possible to follow such recommendations, since in the first case the substance can affect the structure of the skin, and in the second case the oils evaporate quickly enough, and the material becomes even rougher.

baby soap and cream;
castor oil;
colorless shoe polish, which includes natural beeswax;
milk with a high percentage of fat.

Perhaps the most budgetary, simple and effective way to give elasticity to rough leather items is to use castor oil. Initially, you will need to purchase several vials of this remedy at once at any pharmacy. Using a napkin or a piece of soft cloth, oil is applied to the surface of the restored product. It will take from 8 to 12 hours to impregnate the leather, and it will be possible to wear the thing in two days. In particularly difficult cases, the treatment can be repeated.

Advice! Some argue that when using castor oil, a characteristic smell persists for a long time. In such cases, baby soap can be used, given that the method is only suitable for dark products, since the material may darken after impregnation.

For things made of light or colored genuine leather, another option is provided, taking into account the characteristics of the material. As ingredients, children's and colorless shoe cream should be used. These components should be mixed in proportions of 1:1, and the resulting mixture is applied in an even layer with a cloth or napkin.

An equally effective softener for rough leather is a product obtained by mixing full-fat milk and shoe polish containing wax. The solution must necessarily have the consistency of liquid sour cream. It is important to remember that the resulting mixture must be abundantly lubricated on the surface of the restored product. After complete absorption and drying, the item can be used, but before that, remove the remnants of the product and wipe the item with a dry and clean cloth.

Soften rough leather on belts and shoes

Any, even the highest quality, genuine leather accessories sooner or later begin to lose moisture and coarsen. In such situations, it is necessary to know the basic and most effective ways to soften leather belts at home. This will extend the life of your favorite thing and save on dry cleaning services. Many experienced housewives advise using various fats, including regular lard, as an effective remedy.

Before treating the roughened surface, melt the fat and moisten a napkin in it abundantly, with which to rub the strap. In addition, castor oil and baby cream already mentioned above are suitable as additional softeners. With poor absorption of the substances used to help make the skin softer, the procedure is repeated several times. Coconut oil will be no less effective, using which, you must follow some recommendations.

Advice! Before applying the product, the product must be exposed to sunlight for five minutes. It is best to rub the oil with your hands and in small portions.

In addition to all of the above, you can soften the leather of the belt with alcohol and petroleum jelly. First, the first component is applied to the surface, which weakens the structural bond of the material, after which it will be necessary to rub in the second substance, which has a direct softening effect.

As practice shows, quite often it is necessary to deal with the coarsening of leather shoes, since it is this wardrobe item that is most susceptible to external factors. Even the highest quality, natural material will lose its elasticity over time due to moisture, sunlight and various chemicals. However, it is quite possible to save your favorite leather product at home.

First of all, special attention must be paid to proper drying of shoes. It is recommended to do this in natural conditions, that is, do not use sources of hot air to speed up the process. Otherwise, due to drying, the skin risks becoming rougher. You can save the shape of shoes, including berets, by stuffing them with newspapers before drying.

Linseed and castor oils are recommended as effective softeners for leather shoes. Means are applied over the entire surface and rubbed. For the treatment of heels and socks, wax or paraffin is suitable.

Clothing and accessories made of leather are very comfortable and practical for everyday life. They are not easily soiled, wear-resistant and do not lose their visual appeal over time. But external factors can sometimes lead to tanning of the material. How to soften the skin? Will the product have to be thrown away or can it be reanimated?

How to proceed?

If leather clothing or gloves get dirty, it is easy enough to wipe the product with a damp cloth and the problem will be solved. A small amount of water on the front of the leather will not harm it, even if you get caught in the rain or accidentally step into a puddle with a leather boot. But a large amount of water can wet the inner surface of the skin, and then after drying it will become excessively hard and dry.

But do not rush to get rid of your favorite thing. Today, many methods have been invented to help solve the problem. There are three main options for action:

Folk methods or, in a modern way, "life hacks".
Professional skin care products.
Dry cleaning services.

These ways to soften the skin are arranged in ascending order of cost. The cheapest way will be to cope with the problem of folk remedies at home, but you will have to answer for the result yourself. Consider each of the possible options in terms of efficiency.

Glycerin and sunflower oil

These are quite popular methods that members of online communities often share with each other. Unfortunately, experts do not recommend using these means, albeit affordable, but harmful to products. Softening the skin with glycerin makes it fragile, and sunflower oil has only a temporary effect. Subsequently, the product will harden even more, and the skin from sunflower oil will become unpleasantly shiny.

goose fat

Our grandparents also knew how to soften the leather on shoes - with the help of a goose, you need to cut out the fat, melt it in a pan and let it cool. Lard is formed, which needs to be rubbed on the skin until the fat is no longer absorbed. If you believe the reviews, then even the old ones can be reanimated in this way. Experienced shoemakers also use goose fat.

Unfortunately, the availability of this method can be challenged - you must have a goose on hand. If he is not at home, then he can be bought in a store or on the market. But the amount of time spent and the cost of the bird is commensurate with professional skin care products.

Castor oil

Skin softeners are available at any pharmacy. One of them is castor oil. They need to soak a cotton swab and wet the surface of gloves, shoes or clothes several times. The tool is recognized as effective and harmless to the product - the material will again become elastic and soft. At the same time, it is quite inexpensive, and in order to apply it, you do not need to spend a lot of time on additional manipulations, as is the case with goose fat.

Hand cream

How to soften the skin of gloves easily and simply? It turns out that any ladies' product will help. It is enough to put on gloves, squeeze a small amount of cream onto your hands and massage them, as in the usual procedure.

shoe cream

Shoe products can help soften the leather of any product. So, shoe cream can be mixed with ordinary baby cream in equal parts. The resulting mass must be applied to shoes or leather clothing in a thick layer and left for several minutes. If the shoe cream is used not colorless, but suitable in shade, then you can simultaneously update the color of the product.

home ointment

Another folk remedy is an ointment based on beeswax. It is heated in a water bath, after which it is mixed with castor oil and turpentine. Such a cream will not only soften the material, but also protect in bad weather.

Paraffin

How to soften the skin on the shoes, if it is completely new and threatens the appearance of corns? To do this, the back is rubbed with paraffin or wax. In addition, you can walk on the back with a hammer, but this is a rather dangerous measure - you can damage the integrity of the skin.

professional tools

There are a number of manufacturers that are designed to deal with the problem of hard skin. Professional shoe products will help - each of them must indicate the type of leather and the manufacturer's recommendations.

What brands should you buy? This question is quite difficult to answer, since the price range in stores is designed for any wallet. It is worth noting that experts still do not advise saving on skin care, since it is much cheaper to purchase an expensive product than to buy expensive gloves or shoes every year.

Today, manufacturers such as Salton, Ecco, Salamander are famous. They offer a fairly wide range of products for various materials, including leather - natural and artificial. Buyers note the acceptable quality of any of these products. Considering the democratic price and ease of use, it is the professional products of these brands that can be called the “golden mean” in terms of methods for softening leather products.

How to soften the skin of a product with a larger surface, for example, the Leatherette softening spray is suitable.

Help from a specialist

If the product does not lend itself to either folk methods or professional sprays and foams, then you should contact a specialist. Some owners of leather products do not risk at all affecting the skin with anything on their own, but immediately run to the dry cleaners.

It is worth choosing the one whose list of services includes the processing of accessories and leather clothes. Professionals will work with the product using proven technologies. Unfortunately, these services are not cheap. Therefore, this method is the most effective and high-quality, but inaccessible.

How to soften new shoes to avoid blisters? To do this, you can contact the shoemaker. The shoemaker has in his arsenal special tools with which he will process the shoes in order to then place the blocks in them. This method carries some risk - under the influence of the pads, the seams can burst and the product deteriorate.

For prevention

Genuine leather products are not only expensive, but also require careful care. It is much easier to prevent troubles than to spend money and effort on fighting them. It is impossible to protect shoes or gloves from street dust and dirt, and contact with road chemicals in winter is completely inevitable. But no one has yet canceled the basic rules for caring for shoes and other leather products:

If the skin is still wet, then it needs time to dry completely - a day or two. When it comes to shoes, it is better to have two or three pairs in reserve, and while one pair is “resting”, wear another.
Pollution and dust must be removed immediately upon arrival from the street. If you leave this activity “for later”, then after a day the dirt can be absorbed. Then even professional tools will be powerless, and all that remains is to mask the spots.
Shoes must be worn only with a spoon, laces must be unlaced, zippers must be unfastened to the end. You should not save time and neglect these tips, otherwise the shoes will quickly deform and lose their original appearance.
If the product requires repair, you need to contact a specialist immediately.
Means for the care of shoes or other products must be selected carefully. It is important to take into account the type of skin and the recommendations of manufacturers. Truly high-quality universal means do not exist.

Thanks to all the known advantages, leather shoes are the most comfortable shoes in the world. But, despite this, both a new and previously worn pair can begin to rub. The thing is that leather itself is a rather rough material, especially when it comes to old shoes that have endured more than one season of snow and rain. Over time, it becomes rougher and becomes more and more rigid. It is always possible to soften a couple, by using a spray and cream, as well as using folk methods, which to a greater extent give a good result.

How to make leather shoes softer: 6 methods

1. Protective and nourishing products

When buying new shoes, be sure to pick up a protective spray in the form of an aerosol spray from the store. It must be applied even before the first exit to the street to saturate the skin, and in the future it will work as a dirt-repellent agent. Do not regret the cream that nourishes the skin. By doing these things regularly, you will keep your skin soft.

2. Wear your shoes before going out

Before you go out for a long walk in a new pair, wear it at home so that the skin can take shape. If the shoes are still rubbed, then additional moisture is needed, which can be achieved by the methods given in this article.

3. Castor oil

The use of simple castor oil, which is sold in any pharmacy, is one of the most effective ways to soften the skin, proven by our grandmothers. Apply a small amount of oil to a cotton pad and then

4. Linseed oil

If there is linseed oil on the farm, you can use it to soften the seams of shoes. This will be required for the couple who have lain idle for a long time.

5. Wax, turpentine and castor oil

An effective impregnation can be obtained by mixing melted beeswax, turpentine (oil from coniferous trees) and castor oil in equal proportions. The result is a product that has not only an emollient property. It will also serve

a protective layer against dust and dirt, protect against moisture and return the color of shoes.

6. Shoe cream + baby cream

Surprisingly, baby cream is also used to soften shoe leather. It must be added to the shoe (40% of the volume), mix well and apply in a thick layer.

How to make the heel of a shoe softer?

A new pair may have a firm heel that after 2-3 wears should take the shape of your foot and stop chafing. But how to wear boots for 2 whole days if they rub calluses? There is a solution! Rough skin can be softened with a solution of vinegar or paraffin. Apply the solution to a cotton pad and wipe the desired area. After drying, repeat the procedure. Or you can take an ordinary candle and rub it on the back. The second method is less effective, so it is suitable for softer skin.

How to soften shoes so that they do not rub?

Leather shoes are unpretentious in care. All she needs is cleanliness and regular impregnation with cream. If the boots get wet, in no case should they be dried near heat sources (radiator, heater), as the steam may lose its shape. must be dried at room temperature so that the material does not deform from drying too quickly. Must be placed inside

a shape holder or a crumpled newspaper so that the pair takes a beautiful shape. After complete drying (from 1 to 2 days, depending on the degree of wetting), it is necessary to apply a moisturizing shoe cream.

By the way, it is best to apply the cream in the evening so that it is well absorbed in the morning. Morning brushing will not give that result. Before going out, you can simply add shine with a cream or spray, but for greater effect, these products must be applied.

You need to take care of your shoes daily in order to keep their attractive appearance for as long as possible. Plus, with constant hydration, the skin will not coarsen, and as a result, it will never rub calluses. By following the simple rules of care, you will save not only your shoes, but also your feet!

People are looking for comfortable soft shoes, but the purchase does not always live up to expectations. Over time, certain areas of the shoe become stiff, some leather loses elasticity when worn. To eliminate such troubles, there are various methods that can be used at home.

Shoes cannot be stretched in length, only the width of the sample can be changed. If the sock does not allow the foot to straighten, then it is better to change the shoes. Leather shoes deform better than synthetic materials. Some methods, such as hot air softening, do not work on leatherette or nylon. Shoes made of thin leather should not be heavily loaded. After the procedure, the material loses fats, its elastic properties deteriorate, so be sure to cover the skin with cream.

To soften the skin, do not use sunflower oil and glycerin. After the oil dries, the skin becomes even tougher, and glycerin makes the skin brittle. The most effective option for stretching shoes is considered to be softening the skin in various ways, followed by posting. Put on thick socks before walking. In this case, the shoes will take the shape of the foot with minimal damage to the skin of the limb.

Chemical method of stretching shoes

Buy special liquid for softening shoes in the store. Usually it is released in the form of a spray. Spray problem areas and walk around in shoes. Before use, check how the substance reacts with the leather of the shoes, it happens that the shoes change color. Store liquid can be replaced with alcohol or cologne.

Use of hot air and boiling water

Warm up the problem areas of the shoes with a hairdryer, put on your shoes and walk around. Repeat the process several times until you get the desired result. Take care that hot air does not melt the glue, and in general it is better not to heat the glued seams. Hot water can be used instead of a hair dryer. To do this, cover the problem area with a cloth and slowly pour boiling water over it. The skin can withstand up to 300 degrees, so nothing will be done to it from hot water. After the procedure, you should walk in heated shoes.

Softening the skin with improvised means

Castor oil or flaxseed oil are the most budget-friendly options for reducing skin stiffness. Apply the oil on a cloth and wipe the restored area, repeat the procedure 1-2 times. Leave the shoes for two days to soak in the substance, after which the shoes can be worn. Keep in mind that after castor oil, its smell will remain in the shoes, and the size of the shoes may increase - castor oil softens even thick leather. Also, after using an oil-based product, the shoes darken; for light-colored shoes, use other products. To soften the heel, a paraffin candle is suitable - rub the substance on the back of the shoes. If the skin bakes after a walk, lubricate the inside of the boots with a three percent solution of vinegar.

For fair skin, you can make your own cream. Mix equal parts baby cream and colorless shoe cream, which includes beeswax. Apply the substance to the shoes and leave until completely absorbed. Instead of baby cream, you can use full-fat cow's milk.

Using pads

In stores, special shoe stretching pads are sold that repeat the shape of the foot. A special screw design acts on the shoe from the inside and expands it to the desired result. The kit includes nozzles that allow you to correct only certain areas of the boot. Instead of lasts, newspapers can be stuffed into the shoes, but care must be taken that the shoes do not deform in another place.

If you have problems with an expensive thing, for example, shoes have become very stiff, you should not experiment, contact a specialist. Many dry cleaners take on the repair of rough shoes.