How to DIY Shoe Repairs Should Know

I never understood why shoes always decide to break at the worst possible time, but that’s how it is sometimes! We all know that most of time shoe repairs cost almost as much, or more than we paid for the shoes that need fixing! Gluing the sole of your shoe back to the upper may seem easy enough. But there are a few tricks you’ll need to employ to make sure your glue job holds up. Over the years I have tried super glue and Gorilla glue and they fail long term. That’s where the DIY shoe repairs come in and also there are some tips for DIY shoe repairs. I would like to show you how to DIY shoe repairs by yourself. Forget taking your shoes to the shoe repair store. You can successfully perform basic DIY shoe repairs at home. Below I will be giving you 6 tops on DIY shoe repairs for some of your shoes and heels.

DIY shoe repair for heels

Repairing heels at home often depends on how severe the damage is. The more significant the damage, the more likely you are to need to take it to a specialist but here are some tips to get it fixed by yourself and in no time.

• Clean the heel and sole of the shoe to remove any dirt or residue – you want the shoe to be as clean as possible before you start working on it.
• Invest in some heavy-duty superglue and sandpaper.
• Use the sandpaper to roughen the material on either side of the break. Tthe top of the heel and the base of the sole). Sanding the surfaces will make it easier for the glue to bond the shoe back together.
• Next, take your super glue and apply a generous coating to either side. Check the instructions on the packet to see how long you should wait before pressing the heel and shoe together. (some glues recommend leaving a few minutes to increase the adhesive qualities of the glue)
• Once you’ve pressed the heel and shoe together in the correct position, hold for a few minutes before securing it in place with elastic bands or a heavy object for 24 hours, giving the glue a maximum amount of time to take.
• If you’ve already tried gluing your heels and they still won’t stay in place, it’s likely a job for the cobbler or a specialist.

Remove stains from fabric shoes

Naturally, wine and coffee are some of the most common stains we see, but short of taking your shoes to a professional, a quick rescue at home is possible

• If the spill is fresh, try to blot the area with some paper towels to absorb as much of the liquid, as quickly as possible. Remember to blot gently, don’t rub as this could spread the stain further.
• Then, fill the insides of your shoes with newspaper to help them hold their shape while drying.
• Prepare a cleaning solution with two cups of warm water, one tablespoon of dishwashing detergent, and one tablespoon of white I, and mix it.
• Take a clean sponge, dip it in the solution and try to dab the solution on the stained part only.
• Now, rinse the sponge, add more detergent solution and repeat the process a few more times over the stained areas only to loosen the stain.
• Then, take a white linen cloth that has been moistened with water only and continue to blot. You should notice the stain start to lift.
• Keep cleaning until the stain is fully removed, or until you can’t absorb any more of the stain.
• Then, finish up with a piece of dry white linen cloth – gently touch the surface to absorb the excess moisture, then place your shoes in a well-ventilated and dust-free area to dry naturally.

Remove stains from leather shoes

Cleaning leather shoes can be tricky as you have to determine the type of leather before getting to work on it, but if you need quick and easy results that work across the board, try the following technique at home to help remove any dirt or stains on leather.

• Mix one part of mild soap – such as a facial soap or very mild clothes detergent – with eight parts water. It’s best to use bottled or distilled water if possible, to avoid any particles in tap water.
• Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray onto a white linen cloth or a clean sponge. Note: never spray directly onto the leather as this could cause over-saturation and damage to the leather.
• Gently wipe the stain, going with the grain of the leather. This solution should help to dissolve the dirt, debris, and any stains from the leather.
• Then, allow the shoes to dry naturally – remember to stuff your shoes with newspaper so they keep their shape (we also like cedar shoetrees).
• Once dry, give your shoes a final clean with a wet wipe to make sure there is no dirt left on the material. Your shoes should appear brighter and cleaner instantly.

Clean shoe soles

Freshening up your soles every so often is a really good idea to help your shoes maintain their grip as they won’t be clogged with debris, improve their hygiene (especially if you wear shoes indoors), and makes your shoes look almost as good as new.

• For shoes with white soles (think trainers), combine one-half water with one-half baking soda and mix the solution until it turns into a soft paste.

• Using a toothbrush, ‘paint’ the soles of your shoes with the paste, gently rubbing bristles against the soles in a circular motion, or going with the markings on the sole. The baking soda particles will help to gently lift off any dirt and debris without leaving any residue behind.

• Once complete, take a wet cloth to it and wipe it clean. It’s that easy!

Whatever you do, don’t put your shoes in the washing machine. This can cause long-term damage to both the shoes and your machine.

DIY shoe repair for gluing soles

• Clean the soles first. As with fixing broken heels, it’s always best to clean the soles of your shoes before starting to repair them. Depending on the material, use either disinfectant spray and wipe, a leather/suede cleaner, or soap and water to remove any dirt and reside. Allow to air dry.
• Next, pull the sole away from the shoe so you can apply dots of superglue around the outside of the sole and through the interior area (under where the ball of your foot goes).
• As soon as you’ve finished applying the glue, compress the sole and shoe together for a minimum of one minute.
• Leave to dry overnight, held in place with a shoe clamp or a heavy object

DIY shoe repair for replacing soles

If the soles of your shoes are missing, or so worn down that they need replacing, you can easily buy a replacement pair online and switch them over.

• Use a pair of pliers to gently pull the sole away from the shoe. If the soles are quite old, they will often start peeling away from the shoe before the pliers are involved. If this is the case, start by tugging the end that has already come away. If you’re struggling to remove the soles, use a hair dryer on gentle heat to help melt the glue holding the sole in place.
• Once the sole is removed, take a cloth and some acetone to wipe away any remaining glue from the base of the shoe. Allow to air dry.
• Next, use sandpaper to roughen the base of your shoe and the top of your new sole to prepare for the glue.
• Apply the adhesive included with the replacement soles and follow the instructions on the packet.

The most used glue by shoe repair shops is a quality product like the Loctite shoe glue which is best for any shoe because its flexible formulation bonds a variety of materials.

Heel pads are very useful when wearing heels and they are easy to make yourself, all you have to do is cut a strip that measures inch by four inches to begin just take your paper pattern. Place it on top of your shelf lighter. And start cutting around it. With that, you have a heel pad.

How to DIY shoe repairs FAQs

1. How much does shoe repair cost?

It costs nothing more than $50 to repair a shoe

2. Can all shoes be repaired?

Not all shoes can be repaired.

3. Can leather shoes be repaired?

Yes, they can

4. Can a broken shoe heel be repaired?

Yes, you can always glue it back on.

5. What glue is best for shoes?

There are a lot of strong glues but I recommend gorilla glue, shoe goo, and Loctite shoe glue.

Learn more shoe tips in Sizzey!