Shoes are no less than a style statement and speak a lot about your personality. But what if your shoes start squeaking? Suddenly, all your styling hacks can go in vain, especially if you happen to experience that your shoes are behaving like an alarm signal, alerting everyone that someone is passing by.
And, if you are someone reading this article, we are pretty sure that you may have indeed some time or the other been in a situation where your shoes spoke louder than your words. Right? But there is some good news for you! You can gain control over your squeaking shoes! Read further to get acquainted with a few ways to get rid of your squeaking shoes.
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Why do Leather Shoes Squeak?
Donning a pair of stylish shoes allows you to walk with confidence. On the contrary, squeaking shoes can spoil the broth and make you go tensed and self-conscious. Friction stands to be a primary reason that causes your shoes to squeak. And this friction may pop up owing to other underlying issues in your shoes.
Sometimes squeaking occurs due to the constant wear and tear due to the regular usage of shoes. In other cases, when water tends to enter the soles, it is forced by pressure & when it seeps out, it can produce a squeaking sound. Poor gluing, loosening of splints, rubbing on the welts are a few other reasons that can cause the shoes to squeak.
4 Ways to Stop Leather Shoes From Squeaking
Squeaking shoes not only proves to be obnoxious, but they may also land you down in an embarrassing situation. So here are a few ways to prevent your leather shoes from squeaking:
The Talcum Powder Effect
Did you think that talc powder is meant for fragrance only? If yes, then you are sadly mistaken. Talcum powder is known to offer one of the easiest and simplest solutions for shoes that squeak a lot. All you need to do is to spread out some talcum powder inside the shoes.
If there is a separate insole inside, you must remove it and sprinkle the talc powder inside. Talc powder absorbs the moisture inside the shoes that stands out as the major reason behind squeaking shoes.
Keep An Eye on Your Heels
Another reason that makes your shoes squeak is the tearing apart of the heels from the soles. In some cases, the shoe heels are tailored in layers that tend to separate over time, causing the shoes to squeak.
Further, the heels may also pull the shoe sole apart, filling the space with air, which makes your shoes squeak with every step you rake ahead. Thus, consider keeping a check on the heels and call for a professional to get them repaired or replaced.
Dryer sheets
If you feel that the squeaking occurs on the exterior of your shoes and the insoles do not moving, it might be due to the insoles. The hard rubber soles shoes are prone to squeak when their rubber surface gets rubbed against the floor.
Adding on a texture or lubricating the same can be a hack to solve such an issue. For this, you need to clean the sole area of the shoes thoroughly & make sure that you clean the insides of the grooves as well with a damp cloth. Dry it with a clean cloth and rub a dryer sheet on the shoe soles to get rid of the squeaking issues.
If you tend to notice that squeaking mostly occurs when you walk on a gym floor or cemented surfaces, lubrication might not be effective. In such a case, you can consider rubbing sandpaper to scrape the soles of your shoes. It helps in creating a lesser uniform grip and reduces the squeaking.
Proper conditioning
As a routine conditioning therapy, one should consider removing the shoelaces to reach out to the tongue of the boots and use a conditioner or saddle soap for its treatment. You can use a soft cotton cloth for the conditioning & make sure that you lubricate the entire tongue with the conditioner to prevent your shoes from making a screeching sound.
Maintenance
Dry and brittle leather shoes can also make your shoes squeak. Leather shoes are meant to be supple, smooth, and soft. And if you don’t maintain your shoes, they may start to squeak at any time. Thus, leather shoes should always be showered with proper care and maintenance.
Why Is It Important To Condition Leather Regularly?
Leather is made by treating and tanning animal skin, which makes it highly durable and long-lasting. Though leather does not perish easily, it is vital to take care and condition the same to make it serve prolonged services. Here are a few reasons why leather conditioning is necessary:
Extends the shelf life
Leather can turn brittle when it gets old & thus can also be prone to develop cracks. And, once it cracks, you cannot do much to get it back in shape. So, it is mandatory to take measures before any such traces of cracks show up. Conditioning can make leather flexible and supple, preventing cracks from occurring on your shoes.
Acts like a protective sheath
Conditioning acts like an additional layer of protection to your leather shoes. It acts as a barrier against stains and water damage, making your shoe water-resistant and protects them in extreme conditions.
Enhance the looks
With the passage of time and exposure to various elements, leather products may start to dry and look dusty. But conditioning them helps in regaining the natural oils, further enhancing their appearance and presenting a smooth and hydrated look. Conditioning can work the same magic on your leather shoes as a moisturizer does on your skin.
FAQs
How often should you condition leather shoes?
The need for conditioning depends a lot on the usage of the shoes. As a general practice, one should consider conditioning their leather shoes once in three months or at the max six months. You may vary the conditioning routine, depending on the season and the environment of the place you are living in.
Is shoe polish bad for leather?
No, using a good polish can infuse new life into your shoes, making them look new and shinier. But make sure that you are using a leather polish for the same and not a regular shoe polish because it may cause drying, discolouration and may even clog the surface of your shoes. Also, ensure that you use polish on special occasions and not continuously.
What are the three types of leather in shoes?
Various leathers are used for shoe manufacturing, with the most common ones are aniline leather, pigmented leather, and waxed or oil leather.
The bottom line
Wetness and dryness can cause the leather shoes to face the wrath of extremities of temperature. Thus, conditioning them and keeping them lubricated can help in putting a top to squeaking shoes, further enhancing the longevity and service period of leather shoes. We hope this guide proves helpful for you to make your shoes part ways with the squeaking sound.
Also Read:
Recommended Boots for Security Guards
What are Best Slip Resistant Shoes
William has hands-on experiences with construction sites, and the hazards employees face while working. He has been a dedicated worker since 1995 and is currently looked up to by many of his subordinates for the work he has done throughout his tenure. He has passed several certifications regarding safety at the workplace, including OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Silica in Construction Certificate, and the National Association of Safety Professionals Certification.
He has ample experience in woodwork and welding and understands the importance of a tough work boot in dangerous occupational environments. His achievements, experience, and knowledge allow him to be an expert in the field of work boots. He selects and tries all the products that he reviews and presents to his readers. As per him, the safety of the boot is beyond the beauty of it. He carefully scrutinizes each aspect of work boots, including flex, laces, length, breathability, strength, and more.
