How to Stretch Shoes with Antique Shoe Stretchers

Recently I bought a pair of shoes that were just a little too tight, probably because I’ve spent the summer in flip-flops.

I was trying to figure out how to stretch them out a little bit without paying the shoe repair man.

I Googled how to stretch shoes and I found a lot of really interesting ways including putting water in ziplock bags then putting the shoes in the freezer. 

The ice expands supposedly stretching out the shoes.

Or how about the one where they suggest putting potatoes in your shoes.

I don’t know why and I didn’t read any further…

Then I saw a picture of a pair of antique shoe stretchers.

Hey! I have 2 of those… one for each foot even!

So I rummaged through my box of junk, pulled out
the stretchers, and stuffed them into my shoes, and by golly they fit!

I wet the shoes with the stretchers inside and left them to dry for a couple of days.

And what do you know… it worked!