What to do if your shoes squeak when you walk: 8 ways to make them silent

Many who encounter a problem try to somehow solve it. In some cases, the squeak can actually be eliminated. We bring to your attention 8 effective ways to combat squeaking.

Establishing the reason

Squeaky shoes are a very common problem. There are several reasons for the terrible sound:

• Poor quality shoes. Most often, squeaking is the result of poor quality tailoring and the use of cheap materials. There is practically nothing that can be done with such a couple. The best solution would be to return it to the store if the warranty period has not yet expired. As a rule, sellers are cooperative. Extraneous sounds from shoes when walking are a good reason to refuse a purchase.
• The appearance of defects and cracks. Over time, the soles and uppers of any shoe wear out. When cracks appear, additional friction occurs, which may be accompanied by squeaking.
• Tight sole stitching. If boots or shoes begin to creak immediately after stitching, the reason lies in too much thread tension. When walking, the sole compresses and unclenches, and the thread provides resistance. That's why the crackling sound is heard.
• Drying of shoe material. Shoes stored for a long time tend to dry out and crack. The material becomes rougher and begins to creak.
• Problem with the instep support. A loose arch support not only makes unpleasant sounds, but can also cause a leg injury.
  
• Poor quality heel. The cheap material of the heel, as well as the sole itself, always squeaks if you step on a smooth surface - laminate, slippery tiles. As a rule, you can walk on asphalt in such shoes without problems.
• Decorative elements. Laces, locks, fasteners, rivets can “move” when you walk and make various sounds.
• Patent leather shoes. A slippery and smooth surface makes a cracking and squeaking sound when it comes into contact with anything. This is a property of the material. Therefore, when buying patent leather shoes, you should always be prepared for sound. It will not happen only if the skin is very soft and does not come into contact with the sole, laces or other decorative elements when walking.
• Hard insole. If there is a hard material directly adjacent to the sole on the inside, friction will occur when walking. You need to lift the insole and see if there is a soft layer underneath.

Determining the cause of squeaking shoes is very important. The nature of further actions will depend on this. To figure out what's wrong with your boots or shoes, try bending them slightly near your ear, imitating walking. This way you will know exactly where the sound is coming from.

Eliminating the squeak

There are many ways to combat squeaking shoes. Some are ideal for the sole, others for the heel, and others for the upper material and clasps. There is no universal recipe for all cases.

• Method number 1. Fat

Used to soften shoes. For example, in the army, tarpaulin boots were lubricated with pork fat to eliminate squeaking and repel moisture. Any fat will do - badger, goose, etc. It is applied in a thick layer to the sole, folds and seams overnight, and then washed off.

• Method number 2. Oil

Coconut, olive, sunflower, Vaseline and other oils also perfectly soften the shoe material. They are used to treat smooth skin, varnish for 8 hours, and then wash off with soapy water and leave to dry.

• Method No. 3. Water

You can get rid of the nasty sound by moisturizing your shoes. It is better not to completely fill it with water, but to use slightly damp rags for wrapping.

• Method number 4. WD-40

The liquid is a solution of oils. It is used to lubricate anything - locks, hinges, shoe soles. Before applying WD-40, it is recommended to test in an inconspicuous area.

• Method No. 5. Changing the insole

The hard insole is replaced with a rag or felt one.

• Method number 6. Drying oil

A few drops of hot drying oil are dripped onto the sole and rubbed well. After that it stops creaking.

• Method No. 7. Heat

Sometimes heating your shoes with a hairdryer helps get rid of squeaking. It softens when exposed to heat.

• Method No. 8. Shoe repair

In some cases, only a shoemaker can solve the problem - re-stitch the sole, repair the instep, change the heel. If your shoes are expensive or you value them for some other reason, you should try getting them repaired.

Before repairing your shoes, wash them thoroughly and dry them. Otherwise, dirt and dust will stick tightly to it.

The sole creaks

The most common thing that creaks in shoes is the sole. The problem may be hidden in poor-quality firmware or the material itself. Sometimes the sound comes from cracks.

How to remove squeaking soles?

• Soak the sole with heated drying oil.
• Grease it or WD-40 and leave it for 8 hours.
• Place your shoes on a damp cloth overnight.
• Turn on the hair dryer and direct a stream of hot air onto the sole. Warm it up for 10 minutes.Then bend your arms well in different directions.

Try the above methods one by one. One of them will definitely help.

To prevent the sole from squeaking when walking on tiles and laminate, stick an adhesive plaster on it. It will reduce friction.

Heel creaks

A squeaky heel cannot always be fixed at home. If it is wobbly, only repair will help. You can put an adhesive plaster on a low-quality heel, but it is better to change it.

You can get rid of the squeak yourself only if the material has become rough or the seams in the heel area are deformed. Do the following:

1. Wrap your heels in a damp cloth and leave overnight.
2. Treat the junction of the heel and heel with oil, grease or WD-40, and then heat with a hairdryer (5 minutes). After 10 hours, wipe it with a cloth and try walking around.

Boots squeak

Anything can creak in boots: the sole, the instep support, too rough leather, the metal rings into which the laces are threaded, the insole.

To eliminate squeaking, use the following methods:

• Mix 3 teaspoons of pork fat and 1 teaspoon of wax. Melt in a water bath. Apply the product to areas that creak for 8 hours. Wipe down your boots.
• Heat the squeaky areas with a hairdryer (7-10 minutes). Remember the shoes with your hands and try to walk.
• Wet an old terry towel, wring it out so that it is slightly damp, and wrap the boots in it for 10 hours.

Shoes squeak

This problem is most often observed in patent leather shoes. To make the squeak disappear, try the following options:

• Heat the shoes with a hairdryer and remember carefully. Immediately put them on and walk around without taking them off for 1 hour.
• Apply vegetable oil to the place where the sole is attached to the upper part. Leave it on for 8 hours and then wipe off.
• Leave squeaky shoes to “sleep” on a wet cloth. In the next 24 hours they will not make any unpleasant sounds.

If your shoes only squeak on your bare feet, use beige slippers, stockings or tights.

Sandals squeak

In sandals, creaking most often comes from metal fittings. Fasteners and buckles rub against the material when walking, which is why a characteristic sound occurs. To get rid of it, do the following:

1. Lubricate the buckles and the fastening area with Vaseline.
2. Let the shoes rest for half a day.
3. Remove any remaining Vaseline with a damp cloth.

You can also try loosening the clasp. Sometimes this is enough for the sandals to stop squeaking.

So, you can deal with squeaking shoes in different ways. Sometimes traditional methods help instantly and forever. But more often they give only a temporary effect. Experts advise against buying squeaky boots or shoes in the hope that they will break down. Most often this does not happen. If you hear an extraneous sound, immediately take the pair back before the warranty expires.