21 tricks that will help make your shoes more comfortable
The comfort of your shoes can mean the difference between having a good day or hobbling around with a scowl on your face until you can finally take them off. So here are 21 tricks you can use to make sure that your shoes and your feet remain best friends every step of the way.
1. If your leather shoes are too tight, put on a couple of pairs of thick socks before putting them on and then use a hair dryer to soften the leather. The leather will stretch because of the thick socks and when you put them on with normal socks they should fit just fine.
2. When wearing stiletto heels, try bandaging your third and fourth toes together. This will give you a more balanced stance and the bandage will relieve the pressure on the ball of your foot.
3. Unusual but effective: If you have sweaty feet, use a panty liner as an insole. It will soak up the moisture and help against smelly feet.
4. Are the soles of your shoes too smooth? Do you find yourself sliding around like you're on a sheet of ice? Simply roughen them up a bit with sandpaper and your feet will stay under you where they belong.
5. New running shoes can lead to chafing on your feet. The solution? Try using some Vaseline or lubricating gel. Applying it on your heels and other parts of your foot where the shoes are rubbing can work wonders.
6. When your shoes give you blisters and you have to treat them, a warm bath in black tea can relieve the pain and help to disinfect the sores.
7. Shoe care made easy: Patent leather shoes will shine like new when you spray some glass cleaner on them, let it dry and then wipe them with a cloth. It doesn't get any faster!
8. White sneakers will look like new when you clean them with nail polish remover. Even the most stubborn stains can be simply wiped away.
9. If you find that your feet are slipping around in your shoes, spray some hairspray in them. This will keep your feet from sliding around and it even works with flip flops.
10. This one is a classic, but not everyone knows it. When your shoes get wet, simply stuff some newspaper in them and they'll dry much faster.
11. If your shoes are too tight, try filling freezer bags with water and putting them into the shoes. When you put them in the freezer overnight, the water will freeze, expand and stretch the shoes out. The next day they'll fit like a glove!
12. Transform your favorite sneakers into cold weather footwear by cutting some wool fabric to shape and using it as insoles. Perfect for spring and autumn!
13. In need of a little foot reflexology? You can do it yourself by rolling your bare foot over a tennis ball. It's the perfect way to relax after a long day on your feet.
14. A sprinkle of baking soda in your shoes is a great way to get rid of bad odors and works on even the most powerful smells our feet can produce.
15. When you want to go jogging but your outfit doesn't have any pockets, you can tie your keys onto your shoe with the shoelaces. No chance of them falling out of your pocket there!
16. Travel tip: Next time you're packing for a trip, wrap up your glasses, jewelry and perfumes in some newspaper and stuff them in your shoes for extra protection and to maximize space. Bon voyage!
17. A medium toothbrush and some vinegar are the perfect combination for removing caked-on dirt from leather shoes. It also leaves a nice shine.
18. To keep your knee-high boots in good shape you can stick half a pool noodle in each one. This will keep them from flopping to the side and prevent unwanted folds and wrinkles in the leather.
19. Scratches in patent leather shoes can be fixed with some Vaseline applied with a cotton swab. The scratches and scuffs will disappear and the shoe will be protected from further scratching.
20. Another great trick for dealing with chafing and blisters is to rub a deodorant stick over the sensitive areas. Even the newest, tightest shoes won't give you problems.
21. Ever heard of dry shampoo? This amazing product can help deal with sweaty feet. Simply spray some in your shoes and everything will stay dry and odor free.
With all of these tips, there's no need to end your day with throbbing feet ever again. Try them out and see which ones work for you!