Squashed sneakers can lose their shape and look worn out. Fortunately, there are a few simple home remedies that will help restore your sneakers to their original appearance and make them look fresh. Here are effective tricks to fix crumpled sports shoes and get them back in shape.
1. Stuffing Shoes with Paper or Towels
One of the easiest ways to restore the shape of sneakers is to stuff them with paper or paper towels. This method works especially well if the sneakers are only squashed in the front or heel.
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Paper Stuffing: Crumple pieces of paper or paper towels and stuff the inside of the shoe thoroughly, giving it the desired shape. The paper will help to straighten the crushed material.
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Leave overnight: Leave the sneakers stuffed with paper for a few hours or preferably overnight, so that the material has time to stretch and regain its shape.
2. Using a Steamer or Hot Steam from a Kettle
Steam is an effective way to loosen the fibers of the material, allowing the sneakers to regain their original shape.
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Preparing the Steam Source: If you have a garment steamer, briefly place it on the outside of the sneakers, without touching the material directly. If you don’t have a steamer, boil a kettle of water and hold the shoes over the steam (be careful not to hold them too close to the kettle to avoid over-soaking).
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Mold the Shape: Once the sneakers are slightly damp from steam, gently mold the material with your fingers to restore the original shape of the shoe.
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Drying: Leave the shoes to dry flat or upright. Avoid drying in direct sunlight or near a heat source to avoid damaging the material.
3. Balloon Shoe Stuffing
This is an unusual but very effective way to restore the shape of sneakers, and works especially well on shoes with a harder construction.
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Inflating the Balloon: Insert the inflated balloon into the shoe, adjusting its size so that it fits snugly against the walls and pushes out any squashed areas.
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Leaving the Balloon in Your Shoes: Leave the balloon in your sneakers for a few hours or overnight to give the material time to return to its original shape.
4. Using Hot Water (Be Careful with Delicate Materials)
If the sneakers are made of synthetic material or mesh, you can try gently applying hot water to restore their shape.
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Soaking a Cloth in Hot Water: Soak a clean cloth in hot water, then wring out any excess.
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To reshape your sneakers: Gently wrap a damp cloth around the creased areas of your sneakers and hold for a few minutes to allow the heat to loosen the material.
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Shaping and Drying: After applying heat, shape the sneakers with your fingers and allow them to dry flat.
5. Using Socks as Stuffing
Stuffing your sneakers with rolled-up socks is a quick and effective way to get them back into shape, especially if they are slightly squashed.
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Stuffing with Socks: Put rolled-up socks inside the shoes so that they fill the interior thoroughly and give the sneakers the right shape.
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Leave for a Few Hours: Leave the sneakers stuffed with socks for a few hours or overnight to allow the material to stretch.
6. Ironing at Low Temperature (Careful Option)
This method requires caution and is only suitable for sneakers made from heat-resistant fabrics.
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Preparing Sneakers for Ironing: Lay the sneakers out on an ironing board and cover the creased areas with a cotton cloth.
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Low Temperature Ironing: Set the iron to a low temperature and lightly iron the creased areas through a cloth. Be careful not to hold the iron in one place for too long and check to see if the material is damaged.
Additional Tips to Keep Your Sneakers in Shape
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Store Flat or on Shoe Racks: To prevent creasing, store sneakers flat or on racks that help maintain their shape.
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Avoiding Prolonged Pressure: Try not to store your sneakers under other items that could crush them.
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Regular Cleaning and Waterproofing: Regularly care for your sneakers by cleaning and waterproofing them to help maintain the elasticity and durability of the material.
With these simple tricks, you can effectively restore your creased sneakers to their original shape and prevent future creasing.
