We’ve probably all been through the discomfort of trying to hobble around in a pair of shoes that didn’t quite fit, or come home to blistered feet. Sometimes the beautiful pair of shoes we’ve bought have been a bit of a let-down because of the horrible odour when taken off. We wear shoes almost all the time, and it can be quite annoying when little problems crop up with our shoes and we have no clue how to solve them.
I’ve listed a few great home-made shoe hacks that I’ve been using over the years to get rid of these little problems and I’m sure they’ll help you too.
Getting rid of the odour
I hate stinky shoes and have looked for ways to keep the odour causing bacteria as far away from my shoes as possible. Several methods have worked really well for me and I’m sure they’ll be great for you too.
One of the easiest things to do is to place a dry bar of soap inside a stinky shoe. The soap will not only absorb the odour but will also leave behind a refreshing scent. Placing two teabags inside the shoes will also help remove bad smells.
Sockettes are an extremely useful way to help with the problem of odour. They act like socks but sit subtly below the ankle line so they can’t be seen when worn with a pair of pumps. They also keep foot odours contained in the fabric but also protect the shoe from getting too worn on the inside. And best of all they are machine washable so you can add them with you socks and other delicate items of clothing. Check out Petitepeds new range of Cotton and Lace Sockettes.
Prevent blisters and sweating
Blisters are a problem for when you wear shoes that are too small and I’m guessing that will not be a problem for petite footed ladies!! But anyway…. A great way to prevent blisters is by applying deodorant to the sides of your feet. Deodorant is great for preventing blisters and chafing. It will also keep your feet cooler as it prevents sweating.
Loosen up your tight shoes
A great hack for getting those tight shoes to open up is to fill two Ziplock bags with water and insert them into your shoes. Place the shoes in the freezer so that the water can freeze. As the water begins to freeze it will gently push against the walls of your shoes and expand them.
Alternately, you can try the hack that I have used for tight shoes. Slip on a pair of thick socks and put on your shoes. Use a hairdryer on high for a few seconds on the tight part, while you move your toes and bend your feet inside the shoe. Walk around in the shoes till they cool. I know that’s going to feel a bit uncomfortable especially since the shoes don’t fill well in the first place but go ahead and do it anyway! Take the socks off when you’re done and see if they’ve loosened out enough. You can repeat the process if you feel you still need some more room.
Tape your toes together for extremely pointed toe shoes
You’re probably wondering how this is going to help in anyway. Well, you don’t have to tape all your toes together – just the 3rd and 4th toes. The reason being that when you wear closed or pointed toe shoes there seems to be hardly any space for movement. This simple but effective hack will not only give you a little extra toe room but will also take some of the pressure off the balls of your feet. I use medical tape before I slip my feet into closed shoes and it does help tremendously.
Keeping your feet cool in Summer
Who would’ve thought of that! Although panty liners in your shoes would probably be the farthest thing from your mind, I can assure you that they’re the best thing for absorbing sweat. The great thing about using panty liners is that they’ll fit into any shoe and you can also change them as often as you like. Added to this, you don’t have to break your head about how they’re going to stay in place as they’ll stick to your shoes quite easily.
Roughen up the soles of slippery shoes
Imagine yourself walking smartly in a public place in your heels. You’re looking your best and you know that you’re the centre of attention. Suddenly, you find yourself sprawled on the ground because of your slippery soles. This isn’t the first time it’s happened to you, but it can definitely be the last if you know what to do. Use some sand paper or a block of sandpaper to gently scuff the soles, just enough to add a little roughness. You’ll be the cynosure of all eyes once again without the fear of an unceremonious landing!
Keep your feet snug in winter
Feet can get really uncomfortable in winter especially if you’re not wearing any socks with them. All shoes cannot be worn with socks so a great tip for keeping those feet snug is to line the inside with some wool fabric. You can also use sheepskin inserts which are quite easily available. I can’t tell you just how big a help that’s been for me. I hate frozen toes!
Cover those worn out heels
Use instant heel tip replacement caps to cancel out the annoying clicking sound made from worn heels. These caps are pretty durable as they are made from heavy-duty rubber. Another great thing about them is that the rubber also prevents skidding.
One final tip that you need to keep in mind is if you’re shopping for shoes do it in the afternoon or evening. It’s a known fact that our feet tend to grow during the course of the day so it’s a good idea to try on shoes when your feet are already expanded. That way you’ll be sure to get a size that’s just right!
Checkout PetitePeds new ACCESSORIES RANGE of Insoles, Sockettes, Stockings and Hardware which will go a long way to help solve all the above problems.
