If your shoes are too tight and uncomfortable, make them wider with simple DIY remedies

Few things are as annoying as walking in shoes that are too small - the feeling is as if your feet are being held and squeezed in a vice. And when it comes to elegant shoes - those that are perhaps used infrequently - the discomfort can be even greater. But when shoes fit like a glove, they are a pleasure to wear and then our manner of moving and behaving is completely different.

When a shoe is the right length but seems to be tight around the sole or instep, then it is useful to resort to a few tips to make them really comfortable to wear again. And you can use a number of simple DIY remedies to adjust them.

• Ice: this is one of the best known methods, perfect when you can plan for the use of shoes a little in advance. In fact, this method involves filling an airtight bag with water, but only about halfway, and then slipping it into the shoe. The whole shoe is then placed into the freezer: as the water turns into ice, it expands and takes the shape of the shoe's upper, eventually widening it in a very gentle manner. However, since the shoes have been in the freezer and therefore in contact with humidity, it is not a suitable method for leather, hides and suede that could be damaged.
• Oats: if you don't want to put your shoes in the freezer, you can achieve a similar result by filling the airtight sachet with oats and then adding water. Always be careful not to exceed filling more than 2/3 of the sachet, otherwise the contents will spill out and could rupture the shoe. Oats are hygroscopic and as they absorb water, they increase in volume.
• Rice can be used in a similar way.

• Isopropyl alcohol: mix 120 ml with the same amount of water and pour into a spray bottle, spraying the mixture inside the shoes and also outside (best to avoid doing this on more precious suede, leather or hide shoes). Let it dry for a few minutes and then put on thick socks and put your shoes on for a while. You can also double the amount of alcohol if needed.
• A little faster is the method using a hairdryer: wear two pairs of socks which are as thick as possible. Put on the shoes and then turn on the the hairdryer directing the heat on the upper, moving over all the surface and without lingering too long in any one spot. This is much more effective on leather and hides.

What's your favorite method for making shoes wider?