There is no doubt that our feet take a beating during the day. Not only do they bear the brunt of our body weight, they are also bundled up in shoes that are often uncomfortable. Heels, sometimes tight flats, peeptoes etc. make your feet or toe pain! We may never hang up that insanely uncomfortable yet gorgeous pair of shoes, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do something to alleviate the effects of poor-fitting kicks. Here are the top shoe hacks that will make your feet smile:
BLOW DRY
It is just as important to have comfortable shoes as it is to have perfectly clean shoes. If you’re trying to break in new shoes (whether they’re heels, flats, boots, or any kind of new shoes you’ve bought), one trick is to apply heat to them with a blow dryer, to loosen them up. Make sure to wear warm, woolly socks as you break the shoes in! Also keep in mind you wear loose socks while doing this.
RUBBING ALCOHOL FOR TIGHT LEATHER SHOES
Leather boots can be hell to put on before they’re fully broken in. Take a cue from experts and quicken the process by creating a mixture with equal parts water and rubbing alcohol. Spray it lightly on the insides of your boots then slip them on while wearing socks to loosen them up immediately and allow it to fit to your form.
TIGHT TOES
If you want to loosen up the toes of new shoes, put them in the freezer. Fill 2 Ziploc bags with water, seal them tightly and put the baggies inside of the shoes. Let them sit overnight in the freezer. When the water freezes, it stretches out the shoes.
WATERPROOF SHOES
Rub beeswax onto your shoes then use a hair dryer to heat the wax so that it soaks into the fabric. Rub it in evenly and you’re done!
HEEL FOOT PAIN
Most of our problems with heels stem from its shape and how it puts way too much pressure on the ball of our feet. Invest in a good foam padding to cushion your foot and tape your third and fourth toes (counting from your big toe) to alleviate the pressure. Use first aid tape to prevent really painful tape removal at the end of the day.
SIZE MATTERS
To make sure you buy a pair of shoes at it’s optimal comfort, go shopping in the evening where your feet are at its largest. If you’ve got different-sized feet, buy a pair that fits the larger foot, and use padding to fit the other shoe to your smaller foot.
SHINE SHOES
Shine Patent Shoes With Petroleum Jelly, try applying some petroleum jelly on a clean cloth, and rub off the scuff marks on the shoes. Then, buff the shoes to a shine!
FRESH SHOES
Removing smelly odors shoes by putting a bit of baking soda into your sneakers to freshen them up, and let them sit overnight. Baking soda has special properties that enable it to effectively remove odors.
ABSORB SWEAT
Put panty liners in your shoes to absorb sweat and keep your shoes odor-free.
REMOVE SCRATCHES WITH NAIL FILE
Nail files comes handy in removing both wet and dry stains, and even scratches from suede. Gently rub the spot with a nail file, until the stain has diminished in appearance.
SLIPPERY NEW SHOES
New shoes can sometimes be slippery and make you out extra pressure and efforts on the toes. Rub sandpaper on the soles of your new shoes for an improved grip and better traction. By rubbing the abrasive sandpaper on the smoothest part of the sole, you’re creating a rougher, more textured surface for the bottom of the shoes.
WHITEN SHOES
Toothpaste acts particularly well as a cleaning agent for dirty sneakers. Apply a bit of toothpaste to an old toothbrush, and work it into the dirty spots on the rubber, making sure to scrub the sides well and wipe it off.
REDUCE BLISTERS AND SHOE-BITES
Blisters and shoe-bites can be a cause of friction and sharp edges. Thankfully, you can find the solution for this in your own home! Lubricate the heel of your foot with deodorant or petroleum jelly to reduce friction as you walk.