How to stretch shoes that are too tight

We’ve all been there – buying a pair of shoes that we just had to have, even though they’re slightly too small.

Even if you haven’t, I have to say that I certainly have! I had to have these awesome pair of shoes from Worthington at JCPenny’s, and they just went perfectly with my outfit!

Photo courtesy of JCPenny

I bought those shoes even though I knew that one of them was hurting me really badly in the store. But I just had to have them that day! I had an event to attend and I couldn’t order a larger size online.

How To Stretch Them

In the beginning, I began wearing the shoes while doing household chores like vacuuming. I felt like a modern-day Mrs. Cleaver, but soon realized that they were still too tight. I couldn’t even wear them for extended periods at home! Unfortunately, returning them was not an option.”So I decided to get clever, and here is the crazy thing I did!

1) I filled a sandwich bag 1/4 of the way with water

2) I stuffed the bag of water inside the shoe {make sure you use a good plastic bag here so no water leaks out}

3) Okay, now the secret to stretching those tight shoes is by placing them in the freezer. Yes, you read that right – the freezer! I filled a bag with water and pushed it inside the shoe. Then, I placed the shoe in the freezer and left it there until the water froze, which took overnight. The water expanded as it froze, gently stretching the shoe. I only did this to one shoe because the other one fit fine. However, if both shoes are too tight, you can do this to both. I had broken a toe years ago, so one foot is always slightly different than the other.

4) Remove from the freezer and let the ice thaw for about 20 minutes before trying to remove the bags. Carefully remove the bag of water and wipe any water off of the shoe, both inside and out.

5)Try the shoes on again to see how the shoes fit and repeat if needed. {Mine was fine the first time}

{Please use your discretion as to whether or not to use them on an expensive pair of shoes.}

I was not sure it would work, but it did! So next time you just have to have that pair of shoes, this just may be the ticket to get them to stretch out a little!

Want to see some of my favorite shoes on Pinterest?

Until next time,

Enjoy your day, your family, and your home!

~Sandra