Squeaky Shoe Fixes

Having squeaky shoes is often very embarrassing, especially when you walk into a quiet room and everyone turns and looks at you. Everyone likes to be the center of attention because of their new shoes... except when it’s for something as embarrassing as squeaky shoes. There is an old saying about squeaky shoes, it goes along the lines of, if your shoes squeak, it’s because you stole them. That’s obviously not true, however, there are a few reasons why your shoes may be squeaking. Don’t give up on your shoes just because they are squeaky. Give these remedies a try to solve that annoying squeaky shoe problem! Or if you’d rather have an expert opinion call us and schedule an appointment to have our expert cobblers help you out! Call today!

Old Shoes that started squeaking out of nowhere:

We all know how it is. The season changes you toss your summer shoes in the closet and bring out your old favorites for winter and suddenly your favorite boots start making weird noises when you’re out and about. Don’t be embarrassed you can fix it! Or if you aren’t comfortable with a DIY shoe treatment you can call us right now to schedule an appointment.
Say you're wearing your favorite shoes but there’s something different about them, they are squeaking every time you take a step! Don’t give up on them just yet. Your favorite shoes aren’t garbage, you have a few options. If you don’t trust yourself with a DIY shoe repair project, call the expert cobblers at Columbus Shoe repair to bring them back to life, (614) 639-3233. If you’re adventurous or thrifty keep reading!

Did They Get Wet?

​It’s spring and Ohio weather is unpredictable to say it lightly. We have all been there when the Weather App forecasted 80 and sunny every day, for the next 5 days. So say you’ve planned your wardrobe to match the weather. You have on your favorite pair of Chelsea boots to go with your new flower sundress. Next thing you know, you’re caught in crazy torrential downpour with no shelter in sight. Believe it or not, shoes that are not properly dried are the most common cause of squeaky shoes. We recommend several ways of drying your shoes from unexpected spills or weather. It's important to remember to take out your sole inserts and dry them separately.

Drying Shoes:

Shoe Trees:
Shoe trees are an excellent way dry your shoes because the cedar or lotus wood absorbs the excess moisture from your shoe. Wood shoe trees leave your shoes smelling pleasant due to the natural antibacterial properties of cedar and lotus. Shoe trees leave your shoes dry and in the correct shape for the next time you wear them!

Newspaper:
    Newspaper is a close second to shoe trees, newspaper has a similar absorbent effect as shoe trees. If you don’t have shoe trees, newspaper will often get the job done. However, shoe trees are not always an option if your shoes took on too much water, you can use bunched up newspaper and a fan to dry out your shoes. Just remember to throw away the wet newspaper and add more dry paper before you store your shoes for an extended period of time.

Baby Power:
    Baby powder is a great way to quickly dry out your shoes and leave them smelling fresh. Just remove the insole of your shoe and apply a liberal amount of baby powder directly inside the shoe and give your shoes a few hours to dry. Before you put the insole back in can try to dump out any excess powder that is caked on due to the moisture it has absorbed. However, this step is not mandatory.

Dryer:
    Many people think putting their shoes in a dryer is the best way to dry them, it’s called a dryer, right? The cobblers at Columbus Shoe Repair do not recommend putting shoes in the dryer, on any setting. Dryers will dry your shoes, but it’s never worth the damage you will cause. The heat will damage the adhesive glue, the motion will cause scuffs and damage to the stiching. Not to mention most materials used to make shoes have a tendency to shrink. Don’t take chances call us now and save your shoes! Link here

Is the Heel lose?

If you have been wearing your shoes for a while and the squeaking started recently, there is a good chance the heel of your shoe is loose. You can try to fix it yourself with shoe glue, there are a few brands of glue that are specifically for shoes. we recommend, E6000 Adhesive to repair your shoes. It will give you the flexibility and hold you need for a lasting repair. If you drop your shoes off at a reputable cobbler for a squeaky heel, they will completely rebuild the heel, not just glue it back in place.

New Shoes are Squeaky?

Do you have an important interview, a first date, or a wedding? You found the perfect shoes to go with your outfit online and they will arrive just in time! You're getting ready for your event and the shoes are still in the box they were delivered in. you put them on and you were right, they are the perfect shoes to complete your outfit. You go to take a step but you hear a horrible sound somewhere behind you! The hairs on the back of your neck are standing on end...  You ask yourself, was that mouse squeaking in the corner? You take another step to investigate and you hear it again! Oh no! It wasn’t a mouse, it was your new shoes. You don’t have time to return your shoes and order a new pair. You don’t have to give up on your event because of a wardrobe malfunction. There are a few easy DIY tricks you can use to solve your problem. It is important to know the return policy before trying any of these steps.

    The first step is locating the problem. Walk back and forth then rock back and forth, next left to right. Find the motion that is causing the noise and investigate what parts of the shoe are rubbing together.
    
Once you have located the problem, the first thing you try should be applying power. Baby powder, cornstarch or baking soda are going to be the best if you don’t have any powder specifically for shoes. The Experienced cobblers at Columbus Shoe Repair recommend Gold Bond Medicated Body Powder Original Strength, it will not just solve your squeaky shoe problem, it also eliminates unpleasant odor.

Some common problem areas:

If you are able to take out the insole, you should apply powder to the area under the insole around the ball of your foot and heel. Often with new shoes, the insole will rub on the sole of your shoe creating the squeaking.
If you are unable to take the insole out of your shoe, it could still be causing the problem. If the manufacturer didn’t fully glue the insole you will hear the squeaking from the ball of your foot or heel. Applying power inside your shoe and working it into the seam around the insole is going to quickly fix your issues.
Another common problem area is between the tongue of your shoe and the laces. If you apply powder to this area, be careful not over do it. You could make a mess of your shoe and have to spend more time cleaning power off visible spots. There are many more common causes for squeaky shoes but if you want the best solution call Columbus Shoe Repair today and our experts will fix it for you!