Shoes often audibly squeak when they are worn. This problem is frequently associated with new shoes, but it can also occur with shoes that have been broken in. Once a pair of shoes starts to squeak, the first step is to identify the cause: do they squeak when walking; does the noise originate on the shoe's inside, or is it produced by the outside? We have summarised a few tips for you to ensure that you can go quietly about your day in future.
Once the cause of the squeaking has been identified, small tricks can be used to remedy the situation.
Especially the upper material of leather shoes tends to squeak when they are new. The reason for this is that the leather on new shoes is still relatively firm. In that case, break them in well to stop the squeaking. Of course, you can speed up the process somewhat by rubbing shoe cream into the upper leather.
Rubber soles offer many advantages - especially its good grip on slippery surfaces makes rubber a popular material for soles. We at Think! also frequently rely on natural latex soles. It is a natural material and therefore matches our Think! sustainability philosophy perfectly. Its firm adherence to various surfaces such as laminate, parquet or vinyl flooring often leads to squeaky noises when walking across these. However, we also have a tip for how to stop these: carefully roughen the soles with sandpaper - that will soon stop the squeaking.
If your shoes have become wet and start to squeak due to this, the first step is to dry them thoroughly. First of all, you should take the insoles out of the wet shoes and dry them separately. What is important is to never expose the leather to direct heat. You should therefore never dry your shoes by a radiator or a woodburner, as temperatures are too hot and will make the leather lose its natural moisture and cause it to become brittle.
Quick tip: spreading talcum or baby powder inside the shoes after drying them helps to get rid of any remaining moisture.
.jpg "Interchangeable cork footbeds - comfort and sustainability in Think! shoes")
However, the squeaking may also be caused by new insoles. When you have bought a new pair of shoes, or revived an old pair with new insoles, the friction between the shoes and the insoles can sometimes produce a squeaky noise. This is due to the extremely precise fit; the natural cork, which is still dry, rubs against the leather parts on the inside of the shoes. Of course, we also have a solution up our sleeve for this: Take the insoles out, and put a pinch of talcum or baby powder inside the shoes; spread it well until the insides of the shoes are covered by a very thin layer. When you put the insoles back in, you should have heard the last of that squeaking!
Not all of the hacks that supposedly stop shoes from squeaking are to be recommended. Well-meant tips can even damage shoes. These are the mistakes you should avoid:
1. Oil makes leather smooth - please, don't! Please do not use household products such as oil to make the leather smoother, as this can lead to unwanted stains on dyed leather. Instead, use a high-quality shoe cream, which softens the leather and at the same time provides care and protection.
2. Never dry wet shoes on heat sources: The key to success is to be patient, and to let them dry slowly. The best idea is to simply let your shoes dry at room temperature; stuff some scrunched up newspaper into them or use shoe trees to ensure that they keep their shape.
3. Myth: hairspray gets rid of the annoying squeaking: Again, this life hack is not recommended, as it can impair the leather's natural grip, and might even make the squeaking worse. In the worst case scenario, it can also leave unwanted stains on the leather.
