Shrinking vans shoes? Yeah, you have heard it right. Sometimes we mistakenly buy shoes that are larger than our actual shoe size. Till now, you may think that those shoes are a complete waste.
But, WAIT! After reading this article, you will definitely feel relieved to know that your vans shoes can be shrunk. Vans are typically canvas, sneakers, or fabric-made shoes. To shrink the shoes without any damage, you can try any of the following four methods-
1. Soaking and Drying Method:
This is the most effective and widely used Vans shoe shrinking method. The whole shoe can be shrunk as per your desire by following this method.
Necessary Materials:
1. Warm Water
2. Small/ Medium Tub
3. Dryer
Process:
Take some mild hot water in a tub and dive the shoes fully for one or two hours. Washing machine can also be used to soak the shoes. But it’s better to avoid it, as the outsole of the shoe may disintegrate. Even then, if anyone wants to use the washing machine, then the whirling speed should be kept low.
After that, take the shoes away from the water and dry them. Keeping the shoes in the natural sunlight is the best way to dry the shoes. Another way is to use a dryer. Any hair dryer/blow dryer/cloth dryer will work fine. Carefully blow the wet areas of the shoe till it gets dried. If it’s not sufficiently shrunk, then repeat the process multiple times.
Safety:
Do not keep the shoes for a long time under direct sunlight after it has dried. In addition, your shoe may get discolored if you use the washing machine dryer. Use the dryers at a very low temperature.
2. Iron Method:
This method is much quicker than the previous one and convenient for shrinking specific areas. But the whole shoe can also be used to shrink with this method.
Necessary Materials:
- Ordinary Iron used for cloth ironing
- Wet Towel or fabric
Process:
Take the shoes and keep a wet towel/fabric on the shoe surface. Carefully press optimum heated Iron over towel/fabric. After removing the towel/fabric, you can see the shoe has shrunk. If not, then repeat this process a few more times.
Safety:
Heating the Iron to an extreme level may create a disaster by damaging the shoes as well as your Iron. Place the medium heated Iron equally on all sides of your shoes.
3. Insoles/ Cushion Method:
If you don’t want to wet and dry your shoes or iron your shoes, then this method can also be a good option. Though this method will not help to shrink your shoes, it will help the shoes to fit your feet. It will also work as a shock absorber.
Necessary Materials:
- Insole/Cushion
- Scissor
Process:
Take the insoles or cushion and cut it in the size of your vans shoes. Then place them inside the shoe. Try it, and you will feel the magic!
Safety:
To cut the insoles/cushions, use a pencil or pen to mark according to the size of the shoes. Cut them carefully. Otherwise, it will be a full waste of your money and time!
4. Double / Thick Sock Method:
You may call it a hoax. But, no!! Check it first!
Necessary Materials:
Double / Thick socks
Process:
You don’t have to do anything with your shoes in this process. Instead, you have to thicken your feet! How? Yes, wear double socks or thick socks to fit with the vans shoe. Good trick, right?
Safety:
Do not do it in the summer days, please!
Wrapping Up
However, you can keep these methods in mind to shrink your shoes, but the best way to avoid these hassles is – buy shoes that fit your feet perfectly!