How to Fix Warped Sneakers

In a few simple steps, you can save your favorite pair of sneakers.

You've used and worn your favorite sneakers in all sorts of weather, but now they've gotten warped from too much exposure to water. Sometimes the soles start to fall apart or the shoe takes on a banana shape. It's easy to salvage your sneakers. You just need a few simple tools and a dry place to work.

Things You'll Need

• Shoe stretcher
• Sponge
• Small plastic container with 1 inch of water
• Old newspapers
• Four bricks or four heavy books
• Soft shoe brush
• Screwdriver (flathead)
• Shoe soles (optional)
• Shoe glue
• Sandpaper (optional)

Instructions

Step One

1. Adjust the shoe stretcher to fit your exact sneaker size and set aside for use a little later. Dip the sponge in the water and lightly dampen the sneaker by rubbing the sponge from the toe to the heel on the upper portion of the sneaker. Place the shoe stretcher inside the sneaker. Repeat the process for the other sneaker.

2. Place the sneakers on a flat surface and place a brick or a heavy book on both ends of each sneaker. Let them dry. Depending on the humidity level where you are, this could take up to a day.

3. Once the sneakers are dry, remove the shoe stretcher and bricks or books. Place balled up newspapers inside the sneakers to help them retain their shape. Use the soft shoe brush to brush off any debris or dirt from the sneakers.

4. If the soles have come loose, you have two options. Remove the soles entirely and replace them or you can glue the existing ones back on.

   To remove the sole, carefully place the flathead screwdriver under the edge that has come loose. Use the screwdriver to lift the sole slowly up and down and side to side starting at the toe end of the sneaker. As the sole comes loose, slowly slide the screwdriver along the edge and inside the area between the sneaker and the sole. Once it has lifted almost entirely off of the sneaker, you can use your fingers to remove it completely.

5. To glue the soles back on, turn each sneaker upside down and place a light layer of glue on the inside of the sole. Push the sole onto the bottom of the sneaker making sure to smooth out any creases. Place the sneaker right side up and place a brick on both the toe and heel ends of the sneaker. Repeat the process for the other sneaker.

   To put a new sole on the sneaker, remove the old soles from the sneakers first (See Step 4). Use the sandpaper to rough up the bottom of the sneaker. Add a thin layer of glue to the bottom of the sneaker and repeat the same process as you would to put the existing soles back on.

6. Allow the sneakers to dry for at least one day in a sunny, dry area of the house. When they are dry, remove the bricks and the balled up newspapers. Your sneakers are ready to wear

Tips & Warnings

• You can also use a small space heater to dry the sneakers more quickly as long as you place the sneakers at least a foot and half away from the heater and the heater is never left unattended. If you choose this option, remove the balled up newspapers from the sneakers beforehand.

• Don't use too much glue on the soles. Use just enough to attach them to the sneakers. If you add too much, you might create air bubbles that may cause the soles to possibly loosen quicker.

References

• Water Damage Restoration Tips for Shoes

Resources

• Shoe Smitten: Smart Shoe Care Tips