Putting Bags Of Water In Your Heels And Other Clever Hacks That Will Make Your Shoes Comfier

Some new shoes, particularly those with soles made from leather or plastic, can be notoriously slippery. So to prevent any nasty accidents, sand the bottom of any risky footwear to give them more traction. The trick also works on old shoes that have been worn down, meaning you’ll never risk falling flat on your face again.

We usually use deodorant to prevent us from sweating under our arms. However, perspiring feet are one of the major causes of blisters because of the friction they create in our shoes. So next time your heels begin to rub, reach for your antiperspirant if you want to dodge any nasty chafing.

These odd-looking contraptions take the pain out of breaking in your shoes. Stretchers can be used to shape footwear for a better fit, and also maintain that fresh-kicks form for future wear. In short, shoe stretchers should be seen as an investment against painful feet and misshapen shoes. It's a win-win!

Inner soles can be used for a whole host of reasons — from simply improving a shoe’s fit to correcting posture problems, those soles have got you covered. However, there’s no reason to splash out on pricey store-bought varieties. Instead, use a thick non-slip material, such as an old yoga mat, and create your own.

Flip flop straps are often made from very strong but very unforgiving plastic. And while this material helps the casual shoes with their durability, it can be bad news for your poor feet. The solution? Try wrapping the straps in colorful fabric. Not only can you stop the straps from rubbing, but you'll bag yourself a colorful designer edge to boot.

Wearing high heels increases the pressure on the ball of your foot, leading to a lot of discomfort. However, some super-practical fashionistas have discovered a fail-safe way to prevent the pain associated with stilettos. Simply taping your third and fourth toes together takes the strain off your foot, meaning that you can dance all night long.

If your calves are too big for your boot shafts, do not despair. By deploying stretch spray and newspaper, boot legs can be easily widened. And if you don’t have the correct canister to hand, rubbing alcohol works just as well.

There’s nothing more irritating than a squeaking shoe. However, you don’t have to put up with noisy footwear any longer. According to this hack, a simple sprinkle of baby power beneath a shoe’s inner sole can silence the screeching in an instant.

Next time you buy a pair of shoes that need wearing in, don’t waste countless painful hours walking around your house. Instead, heat the shoes up using a hairdryer and slip into them while wearing a pair of thick socks. Parade around in them for a while, and then repeat the process until you’ve stretched the material to a comfortable fit.

If a pair of stilettos that are too high to be comfortable have stolen your heart, consider getting a cobbler to shorten them. An expert should be able to lower a heel by up to an inch without spoiling the overall structure, so you can still look fabulous without breaking your feet.

Once you’ve found that perfect pair of stilettos that fit well and are comfortable all night, you’ll be tempted to wear them to death. But if you do grind those heels down, don’t despair. They can be easily rescued with the help of some store-bought replacement heel caps like this one.

Leather shoes should be kept completely dry as far as reasonably possible. However, sometimes it’s impossible to avoid puddles or downpours. If your favorite brogues do get a soaking, stuffing them with balled-up newspaper will help to soak up some of the excess water.

According to some shoe experts, thick maxi pads actually make better inserts than specialized gel-filled ones. The thickness and fit make for the perfect set of inner soles for your favorite kicks. You probably don’t want to use this hack for sandals though, unless you’re willing to raise a few eyebrows.

While cloth shoes may be lightweight and breathable, they provide little protection from water. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. By quickly wiping them over with beeswax and blasting them with a hairdryer, soggy feet quickly become a thing of the past.

Strappy sandals can pose all kinds of chafing and rubbing problems for feet, especially if they’re ill-fitting. However, if your gladiators are made of real leather, you can mold them to your feet by simply spraying the straps with warm water while wearing. Once they’re soaked, allow them to dry while you’re in them and finish the process with a leather treatment cream and some sealer.

It turns out that green tea isn’t just great for detoxifying our bodies – it also works on blisters, too. The tea’s anti-inflammatory qualities give it great healing properties. So next time a blister pops up, just place the soaked tea bag on the affected area.

For most people, lip balm is a handbag staple. But you might be surprised to learn that the cosmetic product has another use outside of keeping pouts perfected. By applying the salve to blister-prone areas before hitting the town, you can save yourself plenty of discomfort.

Another way to make the soles of your shoes less slippery is by creating your tread pattern using a glue gun. Once the sticky substance dries, you’ll be left with your very own custom-designed grips that will keep you on your feet.

If your favorite pair of shoes are a little tight around the toes, this nifty trick is for you. Just take said footwear and place a sealed bag filled with water into the front cavity. When placed into the freezer, the liquid will turn to ice, gently stretching the shoe as it solidifies.

While stilettos may look good, they’re hardly practical – especially when it comes to grass. Next time you have to go off-road in your best shoes, grab a set of these ingenious heel protectors to prevent getting stuck in the mud.

That Colgate in your bathroom cabinet doesn't just whiten your teeth; the stuff that helps your enamel retain its bright color will efficiently strip dirt and grime off of your kicks, too. A quick application will keep your favorite pair looking fresh for way longer!

If you pour a little bit of rubbing alcohol onto a paper towel and run it over leather shoes, you won't believe how much dirt it picks up. The alcohol immediately cuts through even the most stubborn grime.

We've all had our noses suffer due to stinky shoes, so what exactly can be done about it? Pour a bit of baking soda into them! It's a natural deodorizer, and it'll give them that "brand new" smell once more.

It's nearly impossible for a shoe to live its whole life without suffering a scratch or two. The good news is there's a solution for unsightly marks! Rub a nail file over the affected areas, and those imperfections will buff right out in no time.

For this trick, mix equal parts water and white vinegar. Then take the mixture and pour it into a spray bottle. Finally, douse your shoes with, and hey presto, you'll have refreshed even the smelliest kicks.

You might think petroleum jelly is only used for cosmetic purposes, but it actually works wonders on footwear, too. If you apply a thin layer of Vaseline to your shoes, they'll gleam like diamonds.

Suede is a very fickle material. It looks great, but as soon as something stains it — even just a bit of water — that unsightly splotch is almost impossible to remove. Luckily, a sprinkle of cornmeal is the answer!

The new wave of no-tie laces has been quickly taking over shoe stores everywhere. They may cost a little more than regular sneakers, but if you're the kind of person who frequently trips over untied laces, they're worth the investment.

The straps on flip-flops tend to pull out of their holes. If you can't get to the store and you need a quick fix, try attaching a plastic bread tag to the bottom to keep them in place!

Most people just toss their shoes into a pile by the door when they get home. But did you know it actually does more harm than good? If you invest in a shoe organizer, your footwear will stay in better condition for longer.

Determining which shoe goes on which foot can be a tricky task for some tots to master. To guide them on their way, firstly freak them out by cutting a sticker of one of their favorite cartoon characters in half. When the crying has calmed down a little, place each separate sticker half inside the left and right of the sniveling child’s shoes. Now, watch their smiles emerge through the tears as the cartoon favorite is made whole again when the shoes are correctly placed together.

Now, this might sound very strange at first, but bear with us! If you’ve got a pair of smelly shoes in the house, WhatCulture suggests sticking them in your freezer before you go to bed. The cold conditions should take out the germs that are creating the horrible scent. You’ll notice a difference once you remove the footwear in the morning.

Ah, tight shoelace knots: the bane of our existence. No matter how much you might tug at them, they never seem to get looser. But this hack on WhatCulture could change all that. To pull it off, you only need to dust a bit of cornflour over the area. And that’s it! The stiffness should relent.

If you've ever danced in a crowded room, chances are you walked away with plenty of scuffs on your patent leather shoes. Instead of paying for a shoe shine, a little Windex or any other glass cleaner will do the trick.

Everyone wants to save space when they're packing. Things like socks and underwear are essential, but tend to take up a fair amount of space. Get rid of this problem by putting those items inside your shoes to save space.