I'm going to show you how to shrink your leather boots in 7 easy steps at home. I know, this is a life-changing blog post, right? You will never have to spend an arm and a leg on getting new boots ever again! We all know that when the weather gets cold, our feet get really uncomfortable in our winter shoes. So what's the solution? Shrink them! Yep, just follow my instructions below and you'll be walking around with warm toes in no time 😉
The list of shrinking leather boots methods that we will discuss here are listed below:
1.
By using Vinegar
2.
The Wet Sponge Method
3.
Try Wearing Inserts
4.
By Watering Shoes
5.
By using Hair
Dryer
6.
Sew in an Elastic Band
7.
Use Alcohol and Water
8.
Stuffing Tissue papers
9.
Use thick Socks
10.
Take help from Cobbler
All of the above methods are tested and pretty
easy to follow. So, have a look:
How to shrink leather boots that are too big
There are a few different methods you can use to shrink leather boots at home. The following are seven of the most popular methods:
Method 1: Vinegar is the best solution.
This method is considered to be the best of all because it will also condition and soften your leather boots. You'll need a 500 ml vinegar bottle, a sealable bag, a spare boot that fits you well, an airtight container, and some newspaper. First of all, fill up the bucket or reservoir with cold water then add in your vinegar solution after removing the label from the bottle. Put on your spare pair of boots and submerge them completely into the reservoir (make sure they're totally wet). At this point, you want to make sure that there's enough room in your plastic bag for both boots. Seal off the bag by folding it at least three times and place it over one of your spare boots (in which you previously submerged) so that the vinegar solution can work its magic. You'll need to leave this overnight (12 hours should do). In the morning, take out your boots and check to see if they have shrunk. If not, repeat the process.
Method 2: The Wet Sponge Method provides Precise Results
This method is very precise and you'll know exactly how much your leather boots will shrink. For this, you'll need a pair of thick socks, a bucket or reservoir, water, a wet sponge, and your leather boots. Put on your thick socks and then insert your feet into the leather boots. Fill up the bucket or reservoir with water and add some soap (you can use detergent or shampoo as well). Now take your wet sponge and start wetting the leather boots with soapy water. Be very precise in your movements and make sure to get inside the boots as well. Once you're done, wait for about 30 minutes before removing your boots. If they haven't shrunk yet, you can repeat the process but if they have, then congratulations! You've successfully shrunk your leather boots.
Follow these steps to do so:
- Take a soft piece of fabric and soak it in plain water. Then, squeeze the fabric and take water out of it.
- Now, softly dab the water around the shoes using that cloth. However, be careful and don’t put water over your boots as this will leave ugly watermarks on your shoes. Ensure that the boots absorb some water inside them.
- Now put the shoes in an airy place for drying. However, please don’t put them in direct sunlight; instead, place them in a shady area.
- When the shoes get dry, try them and ensure that they fit seamlessly in your feet.
Method 3: Try Wearing Inserts
This is a very simple method and all you need are some shoe inserts that are a size or two smaller than your current size. Put on your leather boots and then insert the shoe inserts into them. lace up your boots as you would normally do and then wait for about 12 hours. Check to see if they've shrunk and if they haven't, try the process again.
Method 4: Watering Shoes
This is a very simple method and all you need are some almond oil and a spray bottle (or any other type of pressurized water). Just like before, put on your leather boots and then pour some almond oil into a spray bottle. Now give your shoes a couple of spritzes so that the oil soaks through them completely. Wait for about 12 hours to see how much they have shrunk. Repeat the process as many times as necessary to achieve desired results.
Step 1: First, take a bucket and fill it with water. Then, put your leather boots in a way that they get thoroughly soaked in the water. Please keep them in water for 15 minutes.
Step 2: Now wear socks and take your shoes out from the water and wear them on.
Step 3: Keep wearing wet boots until they get dried out. The process will take around seven to eight hours.
Step 4: After boots get dry, apply an oil-rich leather conditioner over them to restore them.
Method 5: Hair Dryer is not only for Hairs
Ladies, this one is for us! All you need is a hairdryer and your leather boots. Put on your boots and then start blow drying them from the inside. You'll need to hold the hairdryer about 12 inches away from the boots and make sure that you're constantly moving it around. Do this for about 10-15 minutes until they're completely dry. If they haven't shrunk yet, you can try again but if they have, then congratulations! You've successfully shrunk your leather boots.
Method 6: Sew in an Elastic Band
This is a very simple method that only requires a needle and thread (and of course, your leather boots). Just like before, put on your leather boots and then find an elastic band that's a size or two smaller than your current size. Cut the elastic band and then thread it through one of your boots. Do this until both your boots have an elastic band going through them. Once you're done, tie all the ends together on the inside of the boots to make a loop. Wait for about 12 hours before removing your boots and if they haven't shrunk yet, repeat the process again.
Method 7: Use Alcohol and Water
This is a very simple method that only requires some alcohol (either rubbing or drinking) and water. Just like before, put on your leather boots and then pour some water into a bowl/container big enough to fit one boot in as well as yourself if you want to sit in there as well (make that no part of your body should be touching the water). Now add some alcohol to the bowl/container and stir it around. Submerge your leather boot in soapy water and wait for about 30 minutes before removing it. If they haven't shrunk yet, you can repeat the process but if they have, then congratulations! You've successfully shrunk your leather boots.
Can Leather Boots Shrink Overtime?
Yes, over time leather boots may shrink as they are exposed to different elements and climate changes. This is why it's important to take proper care of them by waterproofing and conditioning them on a regular basis.
Should proper fitting boots be your first choice?
Boots that fit properly are always recommended over boots that are too big for your feet. Make sure that you take the time to go through various measurements and styles before settling on a boot that fits you perfectly.
Few Alternate methods for How To Shrink Leather Boots
After applying the above methods, if the problem is not solved or you still have questions like, can you shrink leather boots or shrink my leather boots?. Don’t worry; we have some more methods that will surely help you. So, follow what we say below.
1. Stuffing Tissue papers
If you want to shrink leather boots then one of the best ways is using tissue paper. Just like other methods, firstly we need to stuff our boots with tissue papers and after it should be left for overnight. If your problem is not solved then repeat the process again.
2. Thick Socks
Another method is stuffing your boot or shoe with thick socks. Before doing this, firstly try on your boot and immediately put a thick sock inside to increase its size, if it is still too big then do as same as above and leave your thing socks stuffed inside for at least overnight and Your Boot will definitely shrink!
Use only thick socks that don’t have holes in them because you’ll end up ruining your boots.
3. Take help from Cobbler
If you don’t want to do it yourself or have enough time then take your boots to a cobbler and ask them to help you with the shrinking process. Cobbler will charge some fee for this service, but it’s definitely worth than damaging your expensive boots.
We explain the above-listed method in infographics for easy understanding.
Precautions When Shrinking Leather Shoes
There are some precautions that should be taken into account when shrinking leather shoes, which are as follows:
- Don't use any type of heat if your boots are made from suede or nubuck as it can ruin the material
- If using water, make sure it's not too hot as it can damage the boots as well
- Don't use any harsh chemicals or cleaning products on your boots as it might ruin the leather
FAQS
Do Leather Football Boots Shrink?
Yes, leather boots can shrink when exposed to high heat. This is because leather is a natural material and will react to changes in temperature.
How Can I Make My Boots Tighter?
There are several ways that you can make your boots tighter. One way is to use a heat gun to shrink the leather. You can also use a boot stretcher to expand the boot. Lastly, you can use a shoehorn to help get your foot into the boot.
How can I make my boots tighter?
There are several ways that you can make your boots tighter. One way is to use a heat gun to shrink the leather. You can also use a boot stretcher to expand the boot. Lastly, you can use a shoehorn to help get your foot into the boot.
Conclusion paragraph:
There are a variety of methods that can be used to shrink leather boots, and most of them are simple and easy to do. Just make sure you take the necessary precautions when shrinking your leather boots, such as not using heat if they're made from suede or nubuck materials. If you have any questions or problems, don't hesitate to ask for help. Thanks for reading!
Hey there, I’m Jack Jiff, founder and editor in chief here at smartliter.com. After my best friend spent hundreds of hours trying to convince me, I decided to take control of my life and finally got to make this site. I’m on a mission to share my insider tips with every man who has a skilled trade job