How to Stop Shoes from Squeaking (Without Losing Your Mind in the Groc

Let’s be honest: there’s nothing quite as annoying (and mildly humiliating) as walking into a quiet room and realizing your shoes are making more noise than your actual footsteps. You take one step — squeak. Another — squeak squeak. And suddenly, you’re the unintentional star of a comedy sketch titled “That Person with the Loud Shoes.”

Been there? Me too.

Whether it’s that pair of brand-new sneakers you just unboxed or those once-silent dress shoes that suddenly sound like you’ve stepped into a rain-soaked hallway, squeaky shoes are a weirdly common (and very fixable!) issue.

The good news? You don’t have to toss the shoes or resign yourself to being the Squeaky Shoe Person forever. Let’s walk through — pun intended — everything you need to know to get your shoes back to quiet mode.

First, Let’s Figure Out Why Your Shoes Are Squeaking

Before we get into fixes, we need to know what’s actually causing all that noise. It’s usually one of a few common reasons:

Moisture trapped inside the shoe
Friction between parts of the shoe
Sole rubbing against certain floor types
Loose insoles or heels
New shoe stiffness

Once you figure out the “why,” fixing it becomes a whole lot easier.

Situation 1: The Shoes Are New and Just… Noisy

Okay, so you just bought a fresh pair of kicks. You love how they look. But then you wear them for the first time and suddenly — squeak squeak. Ugh.

This usually happens because new shoes haven’t broken in yet, and the materials are still stiff or overly polished. Especially true for sneakers, loafers, or dress shoes with synthetic soles.

Here’s What to Do:

Wear them around the house for a few days — no socks, just your bare feet. This helps the material soften and mold to your foot.
Sprinkle a little baby powder or cornstarch inside the shoe. It absorbs moisture and reduces friction between your foot and the insole.
If the squeak is coming from the tongue area, try rubbing a tiny bit of petroleum jelly or lotion where the tongue meets the upper part of the shoe. It’ll reduce that creaky rubbing sound.

I did this with a pair of leather loafers that made me sound like I was walking on cheese curds. Two days of baby powder and a bit of walking around the house — problem solved.

Situation 2: The Insoles Are Sliding Around

A lot of squeaks come from loose insoles rubbing against the inside of the shoe. If your foot slides slightly with each step, it can create that awful squeaky friction sound.

Quick Fixes:

Secure the insoles with double-sided tape or a dab of super glue (but only if you're sure you won’t want to remove them later).
You can also sprinkle baking soda or talcum powder under the insole to keep it dry and reduce friction.
Or — if your insoles are just too old — replace them with new ones that fit snugly.

It might sound small, but insole movement was the exact reason one of my gym shoes turned into a noise machine. I glued the edge down and voilà — ninja-level silence.

(Image Credit: Youtube.com)

Situation 3: The Soles Are Squeaking on Certain Floors

Ever notice how some shoes only squeak on tile, hardwood, or polished floors — but are totally silent on carpet or concrete? That’s because some rubber soles and floor types just don’t get along.

The good news is, you can change the sole surface slightly to stop that sound.

Try This:

Rub the bottom of the shoes with sandpaper (just a bit!) to roughen them up.
Walk through dirt or dust for a natural fix. Sounds weird, but it works.
Apply a thin layer of dry soap (like a bar of soap) to the soles. It reduces stickiness and helps them glide a little better.
Some people even swear by WD-40 sprayed on a cloth and rubbed onto the soles. (Just don't spray directly onto the shoe unless you want to live dangerously.)

One time I wore squeaky boots to a wedding — worst mistake ever. Half the night I was trying to walk like a cartoon ninja. A quick sandpaper session the next day turned them back into silent companions.

(Image Credit: Youtube.com)

Situation 4: The Shoes Got Wet (and Stayed That Way)

Moisture is one of the top causes of squeaky shoes — especially if water gets trapped inside or between layers. It’s like your shoes are making sound effects for every damp, dramatic step you take.

Here’s How to Fix Wet Shoe Squeaks:

Remove the insoles and let the shoes dry completely.
Stuff the shoes with newspaper or paper towels to absorb moisture. Swap out as needed.
Let them air dry in a warm, dry spot, but avoid direct heat like a hairdryer or radiator — that can damage materials.
Once dry, sprinkle baking soda inside to absorb any leftover moisture.

Pro tip from someone who once stepped in a puddle and squeaked through an entire grocery run: don’t wait. The faster you dry your shoes, the less likely they’ll keep making noise.

Situation 5: The Shoes Are Just Falling Apart

Let’s face it — sometimes the squeak is trying to tell us something. Like, “Hey, I’m falling apart over here!”

If your shoes are older, it could be a loose heel, worn-out sole, or even separated seams making all that racket.

What You Can Do:

Check the heel and sole. If you see a gap, use super glue or take them to a cobbler to be reattached properly.
If there’s a lot of wear and tear, it might be time to say goodbye. (I know. Heartbreaking. But better than endless squeaks.)

Extra Random Fixes People Swear By (Some Actually Work!)

Sometimes you’ve tried everything and your shoes are still squeaking like they’re auditioning for a role in a cartoon. Here are a few extra tricks people (including me) have tried:

Dryer sheets under the insoles: Reduces friction and smells nice too.
Conditioning leather shoes: If you’ve got leather shoes, conditioning them regularly keeps them from getting stiff (which can lead to squeaks).
Shoe deodorizers or foot powder: Especially if your feet sweat — it’s often the moisture, not the shoe itself, causing the squeak.

(Image credit: www.thespruce.com )

My Most Embarrassing Squeaky Shoe Moment

Okay, story time.

A few years ago, I was walking into a super quiet bookstore on a rainy day. I had just bought new boots — they looked amazing, and I felt like a fashion goddess… until I stepped inside. Every single step echoed like a cartoon mouse in squeaky clown shoes. People actually looked up from their books.

I tried everything — walking slower, changing my gait, even dragging my feet slightly like a weirdo. Nothing helped.

Later, I found out the combo of wet soles and polished floors was to blame. One sandpaper fix later, those boots never made another peep.

Moral of the story? Sometimes the smallest fixes save you the biggest embarrassment.

Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone — and Your Shoes Can Be Saved

If your shoes are squeaking, you’re not cursed, and it’s not a weird personality flaw. (Promise.)

It happens to everyone. And whether it’s your brand-new sneakers or those trusty old boots you can’t part with, there’s almost always a way to silence the squeak and save your sanity.

Just remember: