| How to Fix a Shoe Heel Posted: 30 Oct 2019 05:00 PM PDT Over time, the heels of your shoes will wear down from wearing and walking in them and you may need to replace them. If you have a high heel, then all you need is to put in a new tip before you can walk in them again. If the heel's worn on a dress shoe, then you need to replace it in order to fix it. Your heels may also get dirty, scuffed, or torn while you wear them, but you can easily clean and make repairs on them. [Edit]Fixing a High Heel Tip - Get a set of replacement heel tips that match your heel. Replacement heel tips are small rubber pieces with metal dowels attached to them so you can put them in your shoe. You can either measure the height and width of your existing heel tip or buy a multipack that has different sizes in it. Make sure the color of the heel tip matches the one on your shoe or else it will clash.[1]
- You can buy replacement heel tips from a shoe store or online.
- Pull out the tip of the heel with a pair of needlenose pliers. Grab the rubber end on the bottom of your high heel with a pair of needlenose pliers and slowly pull it straight out. You may have to rotate or shimmy the tip out of place since it will have a tight fit. Once you remove the tip from the shoe, you can throw it away.[2]
- If the rubber on the tip is completely worn away, then grab the metal dowel instead.
- Don't grab above the rubber tip since you could damage the actual heel of your shoe.
- Push the new tip into the hole on the heel. Take one of the replacement heel tips and feed the end with the metal dowel into the hole on the bottom of the heel. Try to line up the shape of the tip and heel so it's easier to make adjustments later on. Push the new tip in as far as you can by hand.[3]
- Set the shoe on a sturdy surface so you can push the tip in further.
- Be careful not to apply too much force to your shoe heel since you could cause it to break off.
- Tap the new heel tip into place with a hammer. Hold the shoe sturdy on a stable surface with your nondominant hand. Gently tap the bottom of the heel tip with a hammer to push it into the heel further. Continue tapping the heel tip slowly into the heel until the edges are flush with one another.[4]
- Don't hit the hammer too hard since you could break the heel or bend the heel tip.
- Turn the tip so it lines up with the rest of the heel. Grip the sides of the heel tip with your needlenose pliers and slowly turn the heel tip away. Keep rotating the heel tip in the heel until the curves on the back of the heel line up. Once the heel tip is aligned with the heel, you're ready to wear your shoes again.[5]
[Edit]Replacing the Heels on Dress Shoes - Buy a replacement heel for the shoe you're repairing. You can usually find replacement heels online or at a shoe store. Compare the width, length, and thickness of the replacement heel to the one on your shoes to make sure they are the right fit. Make sure the bottom grip on the heel has the amount of traction you need so you don't slip later on.[6]
- Replacement heels usually cost around $25 USD for a pair.
- If you can't find a replacement heel that matches the size of your shoe exactly, then get the next largest one so you can trim off the excess.
- Pull the heel off of the shoe with a pair of pliers. Grip the rubber on the edge of your heel and slowly pull it backward. Hold the toe of the shoe down with your nondominant hand to get better leverage. Continue pulling the rubber part of the heel up until it comes off completely.[7]
- Many times, you only need to remove the rubber piece on the heel, also known as the top lifts. If the heel platform is damaged, then you also need to remove it the same way.
- Use a belt sander to remove excess glue and flatten the bottom of the shoe. Put on safety glasses before using the belt sander so you don't get any dust in your eyes. Turn on the sander and carefully hold the bottom of the shoe by the heel against the belt. Make sure the shoe bottom is flat against the sander so it smooths out a level surface for the new heel. Check the bottom of the shoe every few seconds to see if it's flat.[8]
- You can also use 120-grit sandpaper, but it will be more difficult to get the heel perfectly level.
- Don't touch the belt sander while it's still running since it will cause serious injury.
- Apply contact glue to the shoe bottom and new heel and let it dry for 15 minutes. Contact glue adheres to itself and makes a firm connection between the pieces. Use the glue applicator to spread a thin layer of glue on the back of the replacement heel and the bottom of your shoe. Leave the glue to dry for at least 10-15 minutes so it gets tacky and adheres better.[9]
- You can buy contact glue from your local hardware or craft store.
- Don't push the heel onto the bottom of the shoe yet since the glue needs to set beforehand.
- Work in a well-ventilated area since contact glue can create fumes that may cause irritation.
- Push the heel onto the bottom of the shoe. After the glue dries for 10-15 minutes, line up the heel as best as you can with the bottom of the shoe. When you have the heel lined up, push it down onto the shoe so it makes a firm connection. Apply continuous pressure to the heel for 30-60 seconds so the heel and shoe stay in place. The glue will dry immediately so you can keep working on your shoe.[10]
- The heel will stick to the bottom of the shoe as soon as the contact glue touches, so make sure it's lined up perfectly before pressing down.
- Trim the heel around the bottom of the shoe if it doesn't lie flush. Hold the blade of a utility knife against the side of your shoe next to the new heel. If the heel overhangs the side of the shoe, guide the blade through the rubber around the curves of the heel. Trim as close as you can to the side of your shoe to ensure that the heel doesn't hang out the side.[11]
- Your knife can easily slip while trimming the heel, so work slowly and carefully so you don't yourself.
- Secure the heel in place with cobbler nails. Cobbler nails are only long, but they help hold your heel in place so it doesn't come off. Place a nail it each of the front corners of the heel and gently tap them into the bottom of the shoe. Then evenly space 3-5 more nails around the back curve of the heel to help secure it in place.[12]
- You can buy cobbler nails at a hardware or shoe store.
- You don't have to nail down top lifts if you don't want to, but it can make them more secure.
[Edit]Cleaning and Repairing the Material - Clean scuffs off of leather with toothpaste. Apply a pea-sized shape of any non-gel toothpaste onto the corner of a cleaning rag. Rub the toothpaste in circular motions on the sides of the heel that have scuffs on them. If you still notice the scuffs after your first application, then use another pea-sized bead of toothpaste and repeat the process again. Continue working until you can't see the scuff marks anymore.[13]
- You may also use petroleum jelly in place of toothpaste if you want.
- Wipe rubber heels with nail polish remover to remove marks. Wet the corner of a cleaning rag with nail polish remover, and wring out any excess. Rub the heels of your shoes in a circular motion to help remove any scuff marks from the sides. If the marks don't come out at first, wet the rag again and continue wiping until they're clean.[14]
- Avoid using an abrasive rag while you're cleaning or else you may scratch and damage the rubber.
- Rub walnuts on a wooden heel to remove scuffs and scratches. Use unshelled walnuts since they're easier to break apart and use on your shoes. Hold the walnut against the wood on your heel and apply light pressure while you rub back and forth. The oil from the nuts will help lift and remove any scuff marks and make the shoe appear clean and shiny. Continue rubbing walnuts into the heels until you don't notice any more marks.[15]
- Do not eat the walnuts you use to clean your shoes.
- Use liquid leather to fill in holes on a leather heel. Liquid leather matches the texture and look of real leather so you can hide tears or holes. Use a small applicator, such as a cotton swab or popsicle stick, to scoop out a small bead of liquid leather and spread it over the damaged area on your heel. Press the textured sheet provided with the liquid leather over the area and let it dry for 24 hours. Slowly peel the sheet off the liquid leather once it's dry so you can wear your shoes again.[16]
- You can buy liquid leather from a shoe or craft store.
- Be sure to use liquid leather that matches the color of your heel so it doesn't clash with the rest of your shoe.
- If your heel is loose, you may be able to use super glue to secure it back in place for a short time, though it will be weaker and more likely to break again.
- If you don't feel comfortable working on your own shoes, then take them to a professional cobbler so they can repair them for you.
- You can also buy high heel tips that slide onto the ends of your heels if you need to repair them quickly.
[Edit]Warnings - Always wear safety glasses when using a belt sander.
- Never touch the belt on a belt sander while it's moving since it can cause serious injury.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Fixing a High Heel Tip - Replacement high heel tips
- Needlenose pliers
- Hammer
[Edit]Replacing the Heels on Dress Shoes - Replacement heel
- Pliers
- Belt sander
- Contact glue
- Utility knife
- Cobbler nails
- Hammer
[Edit]Cleaning and Repairing the Heel - Walnuts
- Toothpaste
- Cleaning rag
- Nail polish remover
- Liquid leather
[Edit]References |
| How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds Posted: 30 Oct 2019 09:00 AM PDT Instead of throwing out the pumpkin seeds after a pumpkin carving session, try roasting them as a delicious snack instead! Rinse the seeds under cold running water before drying them and baking them in the oven until they're golden brown. You can add any sort of seasonings you desire, turning your pumpkin seeds into a spicy, sweet, or simply flavorful treat. [Edit]Removing the Seeds from the Pumpkin - Remove the top of the pumpkin to access the seeds. If you haven't already done so, use a sharp cutting knife to cut a circle around the pumpkin's stem. Make sure the lid is wide enough for your hand to fit through comfortably. Remove the lid once you're done cutting it.[1]
- Use a large spoon to scoop the seeds from the pumpkin. The bigger the spoon, the more seeds you'll be able to remove at once. Scrape the sides of the pumpkin to loosen the seeds and pulp, taking time to scoop out as many seeds as possible.[2]
- You can also use your hands or an object from a pumpkin carving kit.
- Place all of the seeds and pulp in a large bowl. As you're scooping out the seeds, place the seeds and pulp in a bowl big enough to hold everything. Remove large pieces of pulp from the seeds as you're placing them in the bowl, but don't worry about separating every single string.[3]
- If you're removing the seeds from a smaller pumpkin, you may not need as large of a bowl.
[Edit]Washing and Drying the Seeds - Set the seeds in a colander and rinse them under cold water. This will help loosen the pulp and strings from the seeds, making it easier to clean them. Hold the colander full of seeds under the running water, using your hands to move the seeds around gently.[4]
- Pull the seeds out of the colander and place them on a towel. Once the seeds are mostly clean, take them out of the colander and set them on a clean kitchen towel. If there are any big strings still attached to the seeds, pull these off if possible.[5]
- You can also place the seeds on paper towels, though they may stick.
- Pat the seeds dry using the kitchen towel. Spread the seeds out on the towel and gently blot the seeds to ensure they're as dry as possible. Place the seeds in a bowl once they're dry.[6]
- Instead of blotting the seeds, you can also shake them in the colander to remove excess water.
- If the seeds are still damp when they go in the oven, they won't roast well due to the moisture.
[Edit]Adding Seasonings - Toss the seeds with oil or butter. Once the clean, dry seeds are in a bowl, pour cooking oil or melted butter into the bowl so that the seeds are lightly covered. Use a large spoon to mix the seeds around with the oil or butter so that each seed is covered evenly.[7]
- Use canola oil, olive oil, or vegetable oil.
- How much oil or butter you use will depend on how many pumpkin seeds you're roasting, but it's best to start with a small amount—you can always add more.
- Add your desired seasonings. These could be seasonings such as Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper—whichever seasonings are your favorite. Sprinkle the desired amount of seasoning into the bowl of pumpkin seeds.[8]
- Experiment with the type and amount of seasonings, sprinkling in small amounts before adding more.
- For a simple yet tasty flavor, just add salt and pepper to your pumpkin seeds.
- Consider adding seasonings like chili powder, Cajun seasoning, or crab seasoning for a stronger flavor.
- Season with sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg for a sweet snack.
- Stir the pumpkin seed mixture thoroughly using a large spoon. Stir gently, making sure the pumpkin seeds are evenly coated with oil or butter and your desired seasonings. If you notice that many seeds don't have seasoning on them, feel free to sprinkle a little bit more into the mixture.[9]
[Edit]Baking the Seeds - Preheat the oven to and prepare a sheet pan. Lining your baking sheet with parchment paper will prevent the seeds from sticking the best, though you can also use aluminum foil. Once the oven is preheated, you're ready to roast your seeds.[10]
- Spread the seeds out evenly on the baking sheet. Pour the seasoned pumpkin seeds onto the lined baking sheet, using a spoon to spread them out. Try to make sure they aren't clumped together and are laying flat so they roast evenly.[11]
- If your pumpkin seeds end up layered on top of one another, try baking them in two smaller batches to promote even roasting.
- Bake the seeds for 20-30 minutes, stirring them occasionally. Remove the baking sheet from the oven every 10 minutes and move the seeds around using a wooden spoon or other kitchen utensil—this will help ensure each seed roasts evenly. Once the seeds look browned, they're done![12]
- Eat the seeds warm or let them cool to room temperature. Once the seeds have been removed and the oven is turned off, use a spatula to scoop the seeds into a bowl or other serving dish. You can eat them while they're still warm from the oven, or let them sit for a few minutes until they're cool.[13]
- Store the seeds in an airtight container for roughly 1 week. If you want to save your roasted pumpkin seeds, put them in an airtight container such as a mason jar, plastic bag, or piece of tupperware. The seeds will stay fresh for a week or so at room temperature, or you can place them in the freezer for up to a month.[14]
- If placing the seeds in the freezer, they should be in an airtight container as well.
- Write the date on the container so you remember when the seeds were roasted.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Cutting knife
- Large spoon
- Large bowl
- Colander
- Towel
- Oil or butter
- Seasonings
- Sheet pan
- Parchment paper or aluminum foil
- Airtight container (optional)
This video shows you a different way to roast pumpkin seeds. - Place newspaper over your table surfaces for easier cleanup.
- Add your seasonings after roasting the seeds, if desired.
- The pumpkin seeds can also be added to a salad or soup.
- Try using a toaster oven for smaller amounts of pumpkin seeds.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Trim a Handlebar Mustache Posted: 30 Oct 2019 01:00 AM PDT Trimming a handlebar mustache can be daunting. It's natural to worry about ruining the look you've worked so hard to create. Trimming your handlebar mustache, however, is easier than you may think. All you need is some mustache wax, a comb, a pair of electric trimmers, and a pair of quality scissors. The key thing to remember when starting to trim is to go slow and take off just a little bit at a time. [Edit]Washing and Styling before Trimming - Clean your beard right before you trim it. Washing your mustache with soap or shampoo will also soften the hairs, making them easier to trim. The best time to trim your mustache is soon after you get out of the shower.[1]
- Try to set aside at least 30 minutes for your trimming session so you don't have to rush through the process.
- Let your mustache dry before trying to trim it. Use a towel or a blow dryer to get the moisture out of your hairs. Letting your mustache dry will allow you to see its true length and shape before you trim it.[2]
- Comb your mustache. Comb your mustache with a mustache comb or a fine-toothed comb as you normally do, so you can see all the stray hairs that need to be trimmed. When combing your mustache hairs, always go in the direction you want them to grow.[3]
- You can use either a special mustache comb or a quality, fine-toothed comb made of wood or cellulose acetate.
- Style your mustache with mustache wax before trimming. Start by applying the wax to the middle of your mustache and then work your way to the tips. Shape your mustache as you would on a normal day. This will allow you to see what areas of your mustache need to be trimmed.[4]
- Be sure to massage the wax evenly into the entirety of your mustache.
- Use a mustache comb and your fingers to style the mustache in the way you want.
- Use your thumb and forefinger to shape the ends of your mustache.
- If you don't usually use wax to style your mustache, you can skip this step.
[Edit]Trimming with Clippers and Scissors - Start by trimming the hairs that hang over your lip with electric trimmers. Start in the middle of your mustache and work your way to the outside. Brush the clippers lightly underneath your mustache. Trim just enough to keep hairs from growing over your lip. When using electric trimmers, go slowly so you don't accidentally trim off more than you want.[5]
- Start with longer guards and then switch to shorter guards if you want a closer cut.
- Keep your face relaxed and neutral to make sure you trim evenly.
- You can also use scissors for this step if you'd prefer a more controlled cut.
- Use a pair of quality scissors to cut the hairs just below your nose. Trim just enough so that it doesn't look like your mustache is growing out of your nose.[6]
- You can cut as much or as little as you'd like, depending on what type of look you're going for.
- Trim the ends of your mustache with a pair of scissors. Cut just enough to even the hairs. Scissors will allow you to be more precise with your trimming, which you'll need when dealing with the ends. This will give your handlebar mustache a fuller appearance.[7]
- Use a pair of professional grade scissors for best results.
- Try to get the two sides even, but be careful not to take off more length than you want.
- Always start by trimming as little as possible, so you don't end up cutting off more than you intend.
- Use your scissors to trim the area of your beard near your mustache. You'll want to keep the beard hairs to the sides of your mouth short, to give your mustache greater definition. Grab your mustache hairs and pull them away from your face to get a clear view of the beard hairs you'll need to cut.[8]
- If you don't do this step, your mustache will grow into your beard and it will be difficult to maintain the defined look of a handlebar mustache.
- If you don't have a beard, you can skip this step.
[Edit]References |
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