How to Soften New Shoes
New leather shoes can last you a lifetime if you care for them properly. Unfortunately, leather shoes can be too stiff and tight when you first buy them. With some patience and time you can loosen your new shoes so they are comfortable to wear.
Items Needed:
- Spray bottle
- Mineral oil or baby oil
- Bar soap
Instructions:
- Add plain water to a spray bottle and spray the shoes liberally. Wear the shoes and allow them to dry. As the shoes dry, they should conform to you feet and stretch in the areas you need them to stretch.
- Dab a small amount of mineral oil or baby oil directly onto the leather where you need the shoe to stretch. Allow the oil to soak in and repeat if needed. If the shoes are tight all over, put the mineral oil or baby oil all over the shoes.
- Dampen a bar of soap slightly and lightly rub the soap along the inside of the back of the shoes. This helps to loosen and lubricate the backs of your shoes so they do not rub into the back of your foot too badly.
- Wear your shoes as much as possible before you need to wear them for a full day. Start with wearing them for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, then gradually increase the time that you are wearing them. Wear the shoes while you are doing housework or other active tasks so you can get the shoes moving.