3 Simple Methods to Silence Squeaky Shoes
Shoe squeaking is one of the most common problems that users encounter, and it can be annoying and embarrassing sometimes, mainly when it attracts the attention of those around you.
Old and new shoes alike can cause these noises from the bottom, insole, or any other parts of the boot.
The good news is that you can fix this problem at home using a simple DIY method without spending extra money.
Related: How to Remove Creases from Shoes
Why do my shoes squeak?
When air or moisture gets trapped in the different parts of the shoes, it causes a squeak noise. Primarily, it occurs at the insole area of the boot when the insole rubs with other parts of the shoes. The leading cause of shoes squeaking is
- Air
- Moisture
- Friction
- Wearing your boots with barefoot
- Loose insole
- Shoes that are brand new
- Shoes that don’t fit properly
1. Air:
Trapped air in a particular part of the shoe, such as between the insole and midsole, causes a squeaking noise while you walk.
2. Moisture inside the shoes:
Moisture is one of the primary causes of squeaking noise. If your boots contain moisture while walking, they compress and create a squeaking noise.
3. Friction:
Friction between the insole and midsole is the primary cause of squeak. Squeaking noises are also caused by friction between the rubber outsole with a hard and smooth floor, such as a gym floor or dance floor.
4. Worn Out Sole:
Over time, the soles of the shoes wear down, causing squeaking noise.
5. BareFoot Shoes Wearing:
Wearing shoes without socks causes squeaking because the sweat of the feet goes into the shoes’ insoles, causing moisture.
6. Loose insole:
The insole creates a squeaking noise when it moves around due to not being properly secured inside the sole.
Quick Way to Easily Eliminate Squeaking Noise from Your Shoes
Fixing Squeaky insole:
1. Using Talcum Powder/Baby Powder or cornstarch:
Talcum or baby powder works best for noise caused by moisture. It removes the noise immediately after being applied.
To do this, first remove the inner sole of the shoes, sprinkle a bit of talcum or baby powder on the insole, and put it back into the shoes.
If the boot does not have a removable insole, sprinkle the baby powder along the sides of the insole.
2. Athletic Tape or Paper Tape:
Take a roll of athletic tape, remove the boot’s insole, clean it thoroughly, stick the tape at the bottom of the insole, and put it back inside the shoe. Now you are ready to go, and the squeaking noise will disappear immediately.
3. Use your Old home candle:
Remove the insole of the squeaking shoes, rub the candle (preferably paraffin wax) at the bottom of the insole, and put it back inside the shoes. It will work wonders, and the squeaking noise will disappear immediately.
4. Insole Replacement:
If the insole is worn out, replace it with a new one. When buying a new sole, remember to match the shape, size, material, and fitting process.
How to stop shoe soles from squeaking?
1. Using SandPaper (120-220 grit):
If your shoes creak when you walk on surfaces like tiles or hardwood floors it may be due to its smooth sole.
Take a piece of sandpaper and rub it on the outer sole of the boot until it feels slightly rough to the touch so that they don’t squeak.
Remember to use fine sandpaper with 120-220 grit to avoid scratching your shoes too much.
2. Dryer Sheet:
If the shoe outsole is too slick, it causes a squeaking noise while walking on tiles, on the tennis court, or on the dance floor.
To eliminate this noise, take a dryer sheet and rub it on the outsole to make it less slick so that it doesn’t squeak much.
How do you eliminate squeaking from the outer surface of shoes?
1. Apply Conditioning oil:
If squeaking is caused by rubbing the outer surface of the shoe’s material, apply conditioning oil after removing the dust and dirt.
Gently rub it on the shoes in a circular motion until it penetrates completely. Remember to use conditioning oil designed for your shoe types. The effect of conditioning oil fades over time, so reapply it if your shoes start squeaking again.
2. Saddle Soap:
It is a conditioning cream that can be used to lubricate shoes. If the squeaking noise comes from rubbing the tongues and lace, apply saddle soap to the front side of the tongue to stop the Squeaking.
Conclusion:
A simple DIY method can eliminate the squeaking noise from the boot. To make these methods completely effective, first, you need to identify the cause, whether it is moisture, air, loose-fitting, or friction.
Proper storage care and maintenance reduce the chance of squeaking. What method do you use to eliminate squeaks from your shoes? Let me know in the comment section.
FAQs.
There are various reasons for shoes squeaking, such as moisture, air, friction, loose fitting and damaged parts. To eliminate the squeak, you need first to identify the cause.
If air gets trapped in any part of the shoes, it squeezes out during walking, leading to Squeaking. A loose insole, wearing the boots barefoot, and loose fitting are also causes of shoe squeaking.
Yes, baby powder is safe in most boots, such as leather, canvas and athletic boots.
A wet shoe contains a lot of moisture. It gets compressed during walking and creates a squeaking sound.
