Fixing a Squeaky Shoe

Fix a Squeaky Shoe

My husband recently got a new pair of leather dress shoes that feel fine on his feet. Only problem is that one shoe squeaks each time he takes a step, which is really irritating. He says it sounds like it is coming from the heel. Is there a way to stop the squeaking?

Kelli from OH

Answers:

Try a Shoe Repair Shop

I used to sell shoes at Sears and the real nice dress shoes can do that. Depending on if they were glued or nailed, the heel may just be loose from not being fastened securely. You can probably take it in to a regular shoe shop (not the department store type) and they can look at it and tell you what has to be done.

Post by Tawnda

Return the Shoes

The other option is to take it back to where he bought them and have him look at them and they may exchange or pay to have them fixed.

Post by Tawnda

Baby Powder

If you can't take them back where they came from, before you pay for a repair, lift the inner sole partly and dust with baby powder. Sprinkle the outside and where sole meets top, also. Try wearing them in the house like that for a day or 2. If it doesn't help-nothing lost.

Post by Linda

Tape

My shoes stop squeaking after I put a PIECE OF TAPE between the tongue and the outer layer. Hope it works for you.

Post by AFK

Hammering The Nails

I had the same problem with a brand new pair of Etienne Aigner leather loafers. The heel squeaked terribly. No way I could where them. I tried the baby powder idea - didn't work. So I peeled back the inner sole and saw tiny nails which must hold the heel to the upper shoe. I took a hammer and screw driver and drove each nail further into the heel. And VOILA, IT WORKED! Hopefully it will last. Good luck.

Post by Connie

Foot Powder Worked

I had a problem with a work boot. I wasn't really sure which boot it was, so I took the suggestion of putting lots of foot powder inside the boots. The powder not only smelled nice, it also stopped the squeaking and annoying myself and everyone else.

Post by Larry

Baby Powder Worked!

I was on my way to a new job and wearing the only shoes i had at the time... and only because i had no time to buy new ones. They squeaked so bad and the place I work at has all tile floors. I new it was going to be a big problem so i got on the internet and found this site and the very first one said that Baby powder fixed it so I ran and got some put it in both shoes and walked throughout the kitchen to try it out! AND IT WORKED! It was so cool that it worked im here writing this now!!

Post by Kaydee

Baby Powder Worked...

It's hard to believe, but the baby powder did the trick for me also. It was driving me crazy! Thanks everyone.

Post by Terry

Hammered Around the Edge of the Soul...

My slip-on sandals squeaked. The loose nail inside the shoe problem sounded right to me - so, having nothing to lose - I hammered all around the edge of the inside sole. No more squeak!

Post by Beverly

Baby Powder Worked For Me...

WOW. I had been dealing with a squeaky shoe problem for the last three days. I thought there was something wrong with the rubber bottoms, but couldn't pinpoint anything. The baby powder did the trick. Amazing!

Post by antonio

A Piece of Tap...

Thank you all for your posts... a pair of heeled shoes I bought some time ago started squeaking terribly! I know all about the indignity of walking around a quiet office "eeeeking"! Well the baby powder didn't work but since my shoes have a leather crossover piece on the front, I tried the piece of tape between the layers and that worked!

Post by Nicklshort

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Fix a Squeaky Shoe

How do you stop leather shoes from creaking or squeaking when you walk? I have 2 pairs of the same style and both pairs have developed an irritating squeak.

Joanie from South Africa

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Baby Powder

A very big THANK YOU to all those kind people who helped with suggestions on how to rid my leather shoes of their squeaks. The baby powder definitely seemed to work for the major part of the day - tonight I will take a hammer to the heels. (03/30/2006)

By Joanie West

Petroleum Jelly

My expensive Leather Reeboks sometime squeak. So I carefully remove the inner foam cushion of the shoe and apply a THIN film of petroleum jelly or Lip balm to the outer edges only (where it tends to rub). Re-insert the cushion and; Thats it! It tends to get rid of All or most of the squeaks. (04/25/2006)

By Adam D

Baby Powder

I was already to drop off my squeaky Johnston & Murphy shoes at a repair shop when I came across this site and decided to try the powder trick first. I removed the inner cushion sole's from both shoes and sprinkled in some Mexsana powder, and behold -instant success! Now I don't have to walk around the office as if I'm auditioning for John Cleese's "Ministry of Silly Walks". Although, for a few hours there is that cloud of white dust that, with every step, puffed out of the shoes. Perhaps less is more. (06/22/2006)

By Glenn

Vaseline

Use Vaseline. My shoes squeaked b/c the insert was rubbing against the bottom and/or side of the shoe. Baby powder works well, but it usually only lasts for one use, b/c it gets absorbed. I coated the sides of the insert with vaseline and it worked great. I've worn them about ten times since then, and no more squeaks. I can walk my office hallways again. (06/27/2006)

By

Tape

Piece of tape worked like a charm on a pair of Danner Acadia Service boots. (07/02/2006)

By jake

Vaseline

I wore a new pair to office and it started squeaking! I came to your site for a quick fix. I first narrowed down the cause of the squeak to the inner lining rubbing against my toe nails. The only thing close to vaseline that I had with me in office was my lip balm... And guess what it worked!!! I rubbed a bit on the areas on my foot and waited for a min and viola! no squeaks.. (07/09/2006)

By Rose

Lip Balm

Lip balm in the space between the leather upper and the rubber sole was the answer to my prayers! (07/24/2006)

By Kimberly

Vaseline

I've been desperately trying to "wear in" a pair of beautiful green suede L.K. Bennet sling backs for a wedding to get rid of a horrendous squeaking and creaking from both shoes and it was making no difference. Found this site, tried a thin layer of vaseline inside the upper and its stopped... just like that! Fantastic! (07/27/2006)

By Christine

Squeaking Jordan's

I own a pair of Nike Jordan 23's; an expensive shoe that has been annoying me for two years now (I actually stopped wearing them because they squeaked so loudly). I slowly peeled back the inner sole and found that the shoes have a air hole in the front and in the back of the shoe. It would appear that when these holes actually get air forced in from the weight of the foot pressing up against the sole as you walk, the entire sole fills with air and produces a horrible squeak. I had originally tried the petroleum jelly thing and lip balm, but only after I put an ample of amount of powder on the inner sole (making sure I completely covered it), that is when the squeaking stopped. I then put the lining back in and everything is now quiet. (07/27/2006)

By Nike Jordan owners

Vaseline

I've been trying to break in these really comfy, but really squeaky shoes for weeks. My only choice is to try and stomp louder than they squeak! I had Vaseline lip balm at my desk and I put that around the heel lining, and it appears to be working! Hopefully this will stay fixed now. Thanks! (08/15/2006)

By Jessica

Vaseline

I start my first day of work at my first job tonight, and I just noticed my new shoes squeak like nuts! Thanks to everyone for the tips, vaseline seems to be working really well. My friend also suggested water, for a quick fix if you don't have any vaseline or baby powder on you, just wipe a little water over the bottoms. Works for a very limited amount of time though. (08/22/2006)

By Katie

Petroleum Jelly

Wow, I can't believe it. I put petroleum jelly all over the outside of my brand new leather squeaky shoes and immediately they have stopped squeaking. Yeah! (09/05/2006)

By Squeak Free

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Fix a Squeaky Shoe

I am looking for tips for fixing a squeaking leather shoe.

Jimmie from Chicago, IL

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RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

Talc worked! (07/31/2006)

By Alisa

RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

I didn't have any vaseline, but I had some Nivea cream. I took the insert out of my shoe and applied the Nivea to it, and my shoes no longer squeak! (09/15/2006)

By mbro

RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

I recently purchased a pair of Keen's. Very comfortable, but both shoes squeaked relentlessly. I was going to donate them to Goodwill today, but figured I'd search Google. I applied a liberal amount of Vaseline to all inner leather surfaces. I also removed the insole (they aren't sewen in) and made sure to Vaseline any surfaces that might rub there as well. No more squeak! (10/13/2006)

By Matthew

RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

Thanks Kimberly for the Lip Balm suggestion. I work in a building with marble floors only. My Nunn Bush soles anounced my presence like a fanfare. I was at work and lip balm was the only thing available at the time. After letting set for a couple of minutes, it was all good!! (01/31/2007)

By CWill

RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

I took the insole out, lightly buttered it with hand cream and baby powder, put it back in and voila -- no squeak. Amazing. Now if I could only figure out how to stop my jeans from rubbing together at my thighs, I could really sneak up on someone. (02/14/2007)

By RH

RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

I just bought Clark shoes to accomodate my ankle-foot orthoses. I like the shoes and they're very comfortable. However, they squeaked mercilessly. So, I removed the insole, spayed the inner heel area with WD-40, put the insole back, put on the shoes with the ankle-foot orthoses and I walked with them on my feet. Amazingly, the squeaks have disappeared. You made my day! (02/24/2007)

By Maurice Camire

RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

Powder under the insoles works great. Thanks for the excellent solution. I was going to go back to the store and walk around squeaking until they replaced the shoes. The powder saved them and me. (03/23/2007)

By Harv

RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

The only thing I have here at work is hand lotion. Then I looked at inner sole lining and saw that it is glued in (I have a pair of peep-toe stacked heal Steve Maddens) and didn't want to start ripping it out. I saw some suggestions to just rub it into the inside of the shoe and not under the sole lining, but I wear these with bare feet and didn't want to feel the slippery lotion inside, so I tried just rubbing my bare feet with lotion and now the squeak is gone! (04/27/2007)

By Cindy

RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

The WD-40 worked great. Took out all insoles and sprayed bottom of insole and bottom of inside of shoe. Thank you!!! (05/06/2007)

By Perry

RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

The squeak is caused by the insole rubbing on the shoe. Find the smooth surface of the insole that is rubbing, and take some sand paper and rough it up. Squeak will be gone. (12/12/2007)

By Randy

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Fix a Squeaky Shoe

I bought a pair of high heels that squeak so badly I can never sneak up on anyone! Does anyone have a solution to squeaky shoes?

Casey from Plano, TX

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RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

Loved the Monty Python reference, Glenn :) The only powder I had available at the time was loose face powder but I tried it and that worked like a charm! Now I can love my Bass Weejuns again. Thanks for the tips. (03/07/2008)

By Guest

RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

Rockport dress shoes with rubber soles were squeaking like mad. When they were off, I could make them squeak just by rubbing the tongue up against the bottom of the uppers. I used Kiwi shoe polish on the top of the tongues, let it dry for a couple minutes, then buffed it with a soft cloth. This worked beautifully. I imagine Vaseline, baby powder, WD40, or even roughing it up with sandpaper would have worked, too. (03/13/2008)

By Edward

Chap Stick to the Rescue

Chap Stick on the Lip did the trick! (04/07/2008)

By SqueakyShoes

RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

I bought red Karen Scott wedges few years ago, but just kept them in closet almost unworn, because they would squeak and people were turning heads, when I wore them once at the mall. This morning, I stumbled across them in my closet, while looking for something bright to wear and decided to see if they were still squeaking. Yep, they were! Sitting at work, I googled squeaky shoes and went through all kind of suggestions. Fortunately, I had CARMEX Lip balm in my desk draw, so I applied small amount of it deep inside along the edges without ripping the inner sole off, and it worked! What a relief! But, remember to wipe off the inner soles afterward, otherwise you feet will slide inside. (04/23/2008)

By Mishka

RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

The Vaseline trick REALLY works. My rubber soled, leather insole Hush Puppies were driving me crazy. I took the insoles out, rubbed Vaseline (petroleum jelly) along the edge, popped them back in, & viola! It works. Hurray. (05/02/2008)

By Nina

RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

I just want to thank everyone for the baby-powder tip! I can't believe it worked! I was freaking out, because I just bought these shoes for graduation on Saturday (I don't have time to take them back), and I could not enjoy graduation with squeaky shoes--though all my friends think I'm crazy for freaking out about it. Thank you all so very much! (05/13/2008)

By Sara

RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

Just wore a pair of open toed strap heals for the first time - horrible squeak. determined it was the straps rubbing on the shoe - applied some Melaleuca Sun Shades Lip Balm to both underside of strap and side of sole, and POOF! No Squeak! (05/21/2008)

By J Elaine

RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

I just bought a pair of Clark shoes yesterday. Very comfy, but today at the office they got squeakier and squeakier. All I had was some lip balm. Now I'm quite boy! Thank you all! I never would have thought of it! It worked! (05/28/2008)

By jay jay

RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

I am so happy I found this site! I'm wearing a new pair of peep toe heels for the first time today and the left one squeaked like crazy (and that's not cute walking back and forth to the conference room!) I didn't have Vaseline or lip balm on me so I tried rubbing lotion on the inside of the shoe near the toe where the upper and sole meet, and viola! NO MORE SQUEAK! I'm so excited I'm running around sharing the good news with all the girls in the office! LOL (06/03/2008)

By BrooklynSue

RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

In my case the offending shoe was a Cole Haan size 13. The right shoe would squeak around the heal area whenever I took a step. Turning the shoe upside down I noticed a slight gap where the heel meets the bottom. So I squirted some Crazy Glue in the crack and after a few minutes of setting the squeak was gone. Hope this helps. (06/19/2008)

By Robert

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Fix a Squeaky Shoe

I have squeaky tennis shoes. How do I stop it?

Jack from Tampa, FL

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RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

I had recently bought a 150 dollar pair of Nike Jordans. After about a week they started to squeak. I used Bag Balm. You can still hear the air, but no squeak. (09/12/2008)

By Jeff

RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

I used some lotion and that worked well on the inside of the shoe. (09/15/2008)

By Audra

RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

If it's the bottom of the shoe squeaking against tile or certain floors, buy rubber cement and paint it on the bottom of the shoes (it dries clear). Let dry overnight. Next day, no more squeak and the shoes will look normal on the bottom too. (09/16/2008)

By ARIA

RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

Thanks for the helpful tips. I'm now going into my second fall season with a pair of shoes that I wore only once because they squeak. Today was terrible so I Googled squeaky shoes and found this site. The only thing I had in my desk drawer was some Body Butter from Bath and Body Works. No more squeak and my shoes smell nice. (09/18/2008)

By Christie

RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

No more squeak. Vaseline worked great. Thanks (09/26/2008)

By Larry

RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

Thank you all for the tips. I just purchased a pair of very comfortable shoes on sale and the first time I wore them the right one squeaked. I was at work and using the hand lotion I had with me I removed the insole, rubbed lotion all over the inside of the shoe, replaced the insole, and the squeak is totally gone. (10/04/2008)

By Sheila

RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

Just bought an expensive pair of New Balance that were squeaky. Trader Joe's spearmint lip balm worked great. Thanks. (10/06/2008)

By Jeremy R

RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

Happy New Year 2009 without squeaky shoes. I sprayed WD-40 (using the "smart straw" spray tip) under the inner sole of my black leather clogs. The squeaking was gone instantly. (12/29/2008)

RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

Thank you. I have a pair of really comfortable clogs, but the squeaking was driving me crazy. I used baby powder and it worked. (01/04/2009)

By KrazyK

RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

I just applied automotive belt dressing to the bottom of my shoes squeaky shoes (Steve Madden). I'd recommend cleaning off the excess dressing and letting them dry, or they will mark. So far, my walking has yielded quiet shoes and mark free floors (tile).

If you do this, clean off the excess, especially in the grooves before walking on carpet. Otherwise, you will have this tacky substance that is hard to remove on your floors. (02/03/2009)

By Sean J.

RE: Fix a Squeaky Shoe

I tried the lotion and it limited the squeaking. I know I can hear it, but I wasn't sure if others heard. I put my Jordans in the dryer, no more squeaking. (02/28/2009)

By Ross

Paper Towels Work!

I just bought a new pair of New Balance running shoes and I have orthodics, so I have to take the original insoles out. Well, I walked into the office and they squeaked like crazy. I found this forum and found someone who said to put paper towels in the shoe.

So I went to the bathroom, got some free paper towels the office provides, you know, the one from the dispenser that has a 3-fold. It took 3 in the right shoe and 4 in the left. I folded in the 3 fold and put it between my orthodic and and shoe. It totally works. No more squeak at all. Thanks. (06/02/2009)

By HolySmokes

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