Shoe Shrinkage: 9 Easy Steps (with Illustrations)

1. 1

   Try them on to determine which components need to be smaller. Take a few steps after putting on the shoes and standing with your feet flat on the ground. Determine which areas of the shoe need to be smaller in order for them to fit more snugly by checking to see which ones don't touch your foot. [1]1

   • Most likely, if you purchased the shoe in your size, you won't need to completely shrink it. Instead, you'll just concentrate on reducing the size of one section of the shoe at a time.
   • To prevent your foot from slipping out while you walk, for instance, you might want to slightly reduce the width of the sides of a canvas shoe.

2. 2

   If a shoe is not fitting properly, dampen but do not soak it in water. By dipping your fingers into cold water, you can apply moisture to shoes. Repeat this process until the fabric is slightly damp but not dripping wet. Concentrate the water on the stretched-out areas. [2]1

   • Avoid getting water on the shoe's insole because doing so can make it odorous, cracked, or discolored.
   • Concentrate the water around the top edge of a leather or suede shoe because this region is usually the most stretchable. [3]1
   • It is ineffective to shrink larger shoes, such as boots, coated leather sneakers, or patent leather heels, by adding water and heat to them. To achieve a better fit in those circumstances, inserts are required.

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3. 3

   Utilize a blow dryer set to medium to heat the wet fabric. Hold a blow dryer at a distance of roughly 6 inches (15 cm) from the area where you applied the water. Turn on the dryer and adjust the heat to medium. Keep the dryer running until the fabric feels completely dry.

   • Avoid touching the fabric with the blow dryer too closely. The dryer's concentrated heat taints lighter canvas fabrics
   • To cause the leather to shrink and contract, move the dryer continuously around the top edge of the shoe made of leather or suede. When using heat, if the leather begins to smell or crack, stop using the blow dryer and let the shoes air dry instead. [5]1

4. 4

   Try the shoe on to determine whether the fit has changed. Put the shoe back on your foot once the area has dried, then stand up with your feet flat on the ground. Check to see if the fabric feels tighter by moving around a bit. If so, your shoe has contracted. [6]1

   • Reapply water to the area if it still feels loose, then continue blow drying.
   • Wear a pair of thick socks with them if they feel too tight to help prevent them from becoming too big.
   • Before you start to see results, you might need to reduce the size of several shoe components, such as the sides and the top lip.

5. 5

   To preserve leather and suede footwear, use leather conditioner. A clean cloth should have a pea-sized amount of leather conditioner on it. Next, apply it all over the shoes to rehydrate the material. To find out how long to wait before wearing the shoes after applying the conditioner, check the packaging. [7]1

   • Most supermarkets and shoe shops sell leather conditioner.

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1. 1

   Put on some thick socks to make everything fit more snugly all over. You can add socks to the extra space if you're wearing tennis shoes, boots, or other footwear that covers your feet. Before putting on your shoes, look for a pair of thick hiking socks or put on two or three pairs of thinner socks. [8]1

   • This might not be a good choice for footwear like heels or ballet flats since your feet are largely exposed.

2. 2

   If the shoes are too long, put a cushion at the back heel. Although heel cushions are typically used to increase comfort in shoes, you can also use them to covertly enhance the fit of a pair of heels or dress shoes. Where the back of your heel would typically contact the shoe, remove the protective paper from the cushion's back and adhere it to the back side of the shoe. [9]1 [10]1

   • The cushions measure roughly 1⁄6 inch (0 42 cm) thick, so it won't appear as though there is a large space between your heel and the shoe when wearing them.
   • Most supermarkets, pharmacies, and shoe stores carry heel cushions.

3. 3

   To fill the toe area of the shoes, use ball of foot cushions. You may have too much space in the toe area if your dress shoes or heels don't fit properly. Remove the protective paper from the cushions' backs and adhere them to the area of the shoe's insole where your toes typically rest. [11]1

   • This aids in maintaining the same position of your toes as you walk. The ball of your foot may slide forward into the shoe if there is a lot of room in the toe, which could lead to the heel of your shoe coming off as you walk.

4. 4

   Increase the shoe's insole count to raise your foot. Your foot can escape the shoe if there is a space between it and the top of the shoe. To correct this, remove the insole from a different shoe that is the same size and style as this one and place it on top of the existing insole in the shoe. Next, put the shoe on and check to see if your foot is touching the top of the shoe. [12]1 [13]1

   • You can purchase inserts at the grocery store, pharmacy, or shoe store if you don't already have an extra insole.
   • Since no one will be able to see the insole in the shoe, this technique works well for heels, dress shoes, boots, and tennis shoes.

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