How to unsqueak your squeaky shoes

We’ve all been there: you take home your perfect new shoes, you can’t wait to wear them and just as you step outside, there it is - that loud, obnoxious squeak demanding its presence be acknowledged. You wince. It’s too late now. You’re on the sidewalk, there’s already dirt on their soles and besides, you’re running late anyway. So, you suck it up and hope their pathetic squelching melts into the cacophony of the urban jungle. Day ruined.

But it doesn’t have to be. And it doesn’t have to be the last time you wear those shoes either. Your favourite team of shoe experts (that’s us) are all over it. Trust us, this issue hits close to home for our team and we were determined to resolve this once and for all. Whether it’s boots, sneakers or sandals, this list of tried and tested solutions will help you overcome the most parasitic of squeaks in no time. 

Baby Powder

This works on every type of shoe. Moisture is often the reason for annoyingly squeaky shoes. So, if it’s a closed-toe style with a removable insole, lift the insole and sprinkle some baby powder underneath to absorb the moisture. In the case of sandals and other shoes with non-removable insoles, just sprinkle a little bit of baby powder directly onto the insole. 

Petroleum Jelly

This is ideal for when two different parts of your shoe are rubbing against each other. This is often as a result of your insole rubbing against the side or bottom of your shoe. Smear some petroleum jelly between these two areas to help reduce friction. You can also apply it to friction areas between your skin and the shoe.

Dryer Sheet

Reader’s Digest recommends slipping one of these under your insole (in the case of removable insoles) to create a buffer between the insole and other parts of your shoe, thus putting a stop to the noise. If your insole isn’t removable, the team at WhoWhatWear recommend rubbing the dryer sheet on the bottom of your squeaky shoes. 

Try WD-40  

Let’s preface this with a word of caution: WD-40 is not suitable for suede. For non-suede shoes, use a cotton ball to apply WD-40 onto the outside seams of your squeaking shoes. 

Saddle Soap

For leather shoes, apply a little bit of saddle soap or leather conditioner between the laces and the tongue to moisturise the area and stop the noise. 

Repair

Sometimes, the squeaking is a result of a loose heel (or other loose bits). If it’s visible and appears relatively easy to fix, consider tackling it yourself with superglue. If not, your best bet is your nearest cobbler.