Apply sandpaper
Brand new shoes may be super slippery before they’ve been worn in. If you’re planning on wearing those heels or leather shoes to a formal event and don’t want to fall flat on your face, try rubbing the soles with sandpaper. It will create small marks that will help with the traction of your shoes.
Steam iron to fix creases
If you’re looking to refresh those basketball shoes or those sneakers you’ve had for years, this is the hack for you. Take a damp cloth and lay it over your creases, then gently apply steam to the cloth. Be careful not to have the steam too hot, and the creases should look better.
Deodorant for blisters
If you know you’re going to be having a long night of dancing, try this out. Take some clear gel deodorant and rub it on the inner heels of your shoes, this will prevent the material from rubbing your skin all night. Take a travel-size deodorant in your bag to reapply if needed.
Reduce squeaks with baby powder
Squeaky shoes can be embarrassing and annoying to those around you. Use a small amount of baby powder and rub it in between your inner shoe sole. This will help the components of the shoe to stop moving so much and reduce the squeak of the material.
Spice up lace patterns
You can change the way your sneakers look by simply lacing them up in a different way. There are many patterns to follow online and they can make cool shapes that enhance the look of your shoes. Some lace patterns may even provide more support for your feet.
Widen with newspaper
Boots can often feel tight and clingy to the legs, which can put some people off. To widen and open up the boot shafts, roll up newspapers tightly, and stick them down the boot. This will make the boots relax to a wider position over time, ready for when you want to wear them.
Heel caps are worth it
Avoid slipping or breaking your favorite heels. Heel caps are worth the purchase if you’re a shoe enthusiast as they will not only provide your feet more support and balance, but they also help to protect the bottom of your heels as well as the floors.
Make your own insoles
If you have foot problems and often feel pain in regular shoes, it may be time to make your own insoles. This can be done by buying non-slip fabric that’s thick and slightly spongy. Trace the shape of your shoe and cut the fabric to fit snugly into the lining on your shoes.
Soften hard flip-flops
Rigid toe straps can be such a pain, especially walking on uneven terrain like sand for long periods of time. Wrap those pesky plastic straps with a softer fabric or even bandaids. This will help to prevent the rubbing between your toes and make them significantly comfier.
Widen shoe toes in the freezer
It can be uncomfortable when your toes feel crammed into your shoes. Fill a sandwich bag with a bit of water and place it sealed into the end of the toes. Place the shoes in the freezer and as the ice freezes and expands, the toes will be pushed slightly wider.
Tea bags for shoe odor
Long days at work can make your shoes stink. To help with this problem, use tea bags. When you take your shoes off at night, place unused tea bags into your shoes and the fabric and tea leaves will really help to absorb any bad smells.
Add moleskin to tight straps
Shoe straps can cause a lot of pain and really dig into your feet. If you have a pretty pair of sandals but you avoid wearing them due to how uncomfortable they are, invest in some moleskin fabrics. Cut the fabric to the size of your straps and attach to the underside of the strap for instant relief.
Get some heel grips
If your shoes are slightly too big, or they slide around on your foot, get some heel grips. Heel grips get placed on the inside of the shoe heel and will help your foot stay supported in the shoe and can also prevent blisters from forming.
Patch up heel linings
Shoes eventually do wear out, especially after years of use. Heel linings are usually one of the first things to wear out but that doesn’t mean the shoes need to be thrown away. Denim is a great fabric to make a temporary shoe patch up, as it’s durable and comfortable to wear.
Arch support inserts
Everyone’s feet are different. Some people can’t just have any insoles in their shoes, but often it’s their arches that are the problem. If you feel like you have super flat feet, try arch support insoles instead of regular ones. These can help with your posture and back pain too.
Vinegar for water stains
Water stains on leather shoes can make them look unclean and can ruin the shine of your shoes. They can be easily removed with vinegar and a toothbrush. Gently buff white vinegar into your shoes with a toothbrush, careful to not scrub too hard and watch the dull water stains disappear.
Make your shoes waterproof
Preventing water damage can be really easy now. Applying natural ingredients like beeswax can make your shoes water resistant and protect the fabrics for a long time. The wax can be bought at most outdoor specialist stores and it’s easy to apply and won’t change the appearance of your shoes.
Buy your shoes in the evening
Your feet swell the longer you’ve been on them, so you’ve probably experienced your shoes feeling tighter than usual at some point. Buy your shoes in the evening when they’re most likely the largest, so you know your shoes will fit well at any point in the day.
Break them in with a hair dryer
When you buy new shoes all you want to do is wear them everywhere, but they can be stiff and uncomfortable. To help ease the tighter areas, put on some thick socks and put your shoes on. Grab a hairdryer and heat up the tighter spots carefully. The heat will help the material ease around your feet.
Underwear liners absorb sweat
It may seem like the weirdest idea, but thin underwear liners are great at absorbing sweat in shoes. Place one on the lining of your shoes and you’ll notice the difference in smell too, as the material helps with odor control too. Swap them out regularly to keep your shoes fresh.
Get those heels shortened
Cobblers can work magic. Not everyone can walk freely in 6 inch heels and that’s okay. Take your heels to a cobbler and ask for your heels shortening to a length more suitable to you. There’s no point having shoes you can’t wear, and this will breathe new life into your shoes.
No more rubbing running shoes
If you’ve just bought a new pair of running shoes they can sometimes start to chafe your feet. This can prevent you from running efficiently and impede on your progress. Instead of buying a new pair, rub some gel or water based lubricant on the backs of your heels to allow the fabric to move over your skin better.
Vaseline on scuffs
Scuffing your new patent leather shoes can be disheartening. This problem can be rectified though, with vaseline. Take a cotton swab dipped in vaseline or other petroleum jelly and gently buff away the scuffs on your shoes. The vaseline won’t affect the look of your shoes either.
Keep boots moisture free
After a rainy day, your boots can remain damp whilst indoors. To avoid the moisture from lingering and causing issues like mold or odor, place paper towels or newspaper into your boots. This extra material will help to absorb extra moisture and help keep your boots dry.
Wool to keep your feet warm
If you live in a cold climate, winter time can wreak havoc on your feet. To make your shoes or boots extra warm, line them with wool. This can be wool fabric from the store or up-cycled breathable wool from clothing. Cut insole shapes from the fabric and line your shoes to keep them toasty.
Invest in sneaker protectors
Don’t spend all your money on a pair of shoes that you will be too scared to wear. Sneaker protect sprays can help with crease prevention and also water resistance. They are usually pretty affordable and can be applied to multiple pairs of your shoes, so you protect your entire shoe collection.
Tape your toes in heels
This doesn’t sound comfortable, but you’ll thank your past self. Heels aren’t known for their comfort but they can also put a lot of strain on your second and third toes. Taping your toes together (not too tight) will help alleviate that tension and can prevent future toe pain.
Try no-tie shoelaces
If you have had enough of constantly bending over to re-tie your shoe laces, try these out. No-tie shoelaces can be stretched to fit over your shoes and then trimmed to fit. This means you can just slip on your shoes and go without the hassle of knots and laces.
Toothpaste to brighten your shoes
White shoes don’t often stay white for long. If you love the look of bright white shoes, start scrubbing them with toothpaste. Rub the stains with a soft cloth dipped into toothpaste or a soft bristled toothbrush for tougher stains. This is a cost effective way to keep your shoes looking brand new.
Use bread to clean suede
This sounds like it’s a dumb idea, but it’s not. Suede is a delicate material and shouldn’t be harshly scrubbed as it can sometimes worsen stains. Using a slice of soft bread can help to buff out stains and marks without making the problem worse. The bread can also absorb some of the staining too.
Invest in leather conditioner
A good pair of leather shoes keeps you looking professional, so take care of them. Leather conditioner helps to keep your shoes soft and less prone to cracking. Real leather can be expensive too, so maintain your shoes the best you can to avoid having to splurge on a new pair.
The lace lock technique
If you’re an avid runner, read up on this lacing method. The lace lock or heel lock technique involves utilizing the extra eyelets on your sneakers, usually at the top. This can create a tighter fit, more streamlined with the foot and prevent heel slippage.
Get some shoe trees
Cedar shoe trees are great for maintaining the shape of shoes, particularly those that are a bit tighter. The wood material is also handy at absorbing extra moisture, either from sweat, humidity or rainy days. Get a pair for your shoes you wear the most to help maintain their condition.
Rotate your shoes
If you can, try not to wear the same shoes every day for weeks at a time. Wearing a new pair a day is ideal but if you have specific work needs, maybe invest in 2 pairs of work appropriate shoes you can rotate. This will help with odor prevention and over wearing.
White vinegar for salt stains
Winter roads can make all your shoes and clothes feel salty. If you live in a cold place you may go weeks with salty roads ruining your shoes. White vinegar can wipe away salt stains easily. Mix equal parts water and vinegar and use a soft cloth to gently buff the stains away.
Black shoe polish
This should be a staple in the house if you have office workers. Black shoe polish is great because it takes some of the work out of polishing your shoes. The color helps with any discoloration or bad scuffs and can cover up those bad spots quickly.
Ease tight spots with rubbing alcohol
If your toes feel tight or your ankle feels cramped get some rubbing alcohol. Spray the super tight areas with the alcohol mixed 50:50 with water and wear the shoes around the house for around 20 to 30 minutes. The solution should help to loosen up the material.
Get grip with hairspray
If you keep slipping and sliding in your new shoes no matter what surface you’re on, grab some hairspray. Spray a thin layer onto the soles of your shoes and it will quickly add some grip. This won’t last forever so you will need to keep applying every few hours. Bring a travel can in your bag or purse.
Less odor with baking soda
Smelly shoes can make a smelly house. If your shoes just don’t seem to be airing out before you can wear them, sprinkle some baking soda in them. Overnight, the baking soda should help with the absorption of smells and odor and also some moisture.
Lemon juice on stains
Staining canvas shoes can be so annoying and near impossible to clean. Squeeze a lemon into a bowl and apply the juice on the stain. Let it sit on the stain for a few minutes and rinse it off. This may not completely remove the stain, but it may make it easier for other products to clean it.