How to stop shoes from squeaking is one of those questions that pops into your head the moment your shoes embarrass you in a quiet room. The fix can be as simple as drying the insoles, sprinkling powder inside, or scuffing the outsole. Each squeak has a cause, and when you find it, the solution is usually quick and cheap.
In this guide, we’ll walk through every method that works, step by step. What makes this different? You’ll get real fixes that people actually use. And that actually solve the problem for good.
Key Takeaways
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Sprinkle baby powder or cornstarch under the insole to stop inside-the-shoe squeaks.
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Always dry your insoles completely to get rid of moisture-related squeaks.
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Use a small amount of petroleum jelly or WD-40 on outsole edges to stop rubber-on-rubber noise.
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Rotate your running shoes and let them rest 24 to 48 hours after a run.
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Scuff the heel and toe areas of your soles to stop squeaking on waxed floors.
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Add grip dots or sole stickers to quiet squeaks on tile floors.
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Clean the outsole with warm water and a brush to stop concrete-related squeaks.
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Most squeaks come from friction, trapped moisture, or outsole buildup—and all are fixable.
How to stop shoes from squeaking
To stop shoes from squeaking, first check if there’s trapped moisture under the insole. Take the insoles out and let them air dry overnight. If they still squeak, sprinkle baby powder or cornstarch inside the shoe to reduce friction. For squeaks near the bottom sole edges, apply a small amount of petroleum jelly or WD-40 to the outer edges, but avoid the part that touches the floor.
Sprinkle baby powder or cornstarch inside the shoe
One of the easiest and most effective ways to stop a squeaky shoe is using baby powder or plain cornstarch. Squeaking often comes from trapped moisture inside the shoe. That moisture creates friction between the insole and the sole. The powder helps by absorbing that moisture and making the insole slide more smoothly against the shoe.
Start by removing the insole if it comes out easily. Sprinkle a light, even layer of powder across the bottom of the shoe where the insole sits. You don’t need a lot, just enough to lightly cover the surface.
Then, place the insole back in and press it down gently. If your shoes don’t have removable insoles, you can still sprinkle powder around the edges and try to shift it under the insole using your fingers.
Many people notice the squeak is gone immediately after doing this. Others may need to reapply every few days, especially in humid areas. If the squeak comes back quickly, it may mean the shoe is still holding more moisture, so drying it fully is a good next step. Powder works best when used on clean, dry shoes and is safe for most materials except suede or open-weave fabrics.
Remove and dry the insoles completely
A very common cause of shoe squeaking is damp insoles. Moisture gets trapped after walking in rain, sweating during the day, or even from just humid air. When the insole rubs against the bottom of the shoe with moisture in between, it makes that high-pitched sound that’s impossible to ignore. Fully drying the insoles is one of the first things you should try.
Start by gently pulling out the insole. Most athletic and casual shoes have removable insoles, but if yours doesn’t, you may need to skip this and focus on drying the whole shoe. Once removed, place the insole somewhere with good air circulation and low humidity. A clean windowsill, shelf, or laundry room works well.
Let them dry overnight or for at least 8 hours. Avoid using direct heat like a hairdryer or radiator, as that can damage the shape of the insole or affect the glue holding it together.
While the insoles are drying, check the inside of the shoe itself. If it feels damp, stuff it loosely with newspaper or paper towels to help draw out moisture. After everything is dry, put the insoles back in and walk around to see if the sound is gone. If not, try the powder method next.
Drying alone often solves the squeak if the issue was moisture-related, especially after rainy days or sweaty workouts.
Apply a light lubricant to the sole edges
If the squeaking sounds like it’s coming from the bottom of the shoe, especially around the sides or outer edges of the sole, it could be due to rubber-on-rubber friction. This is very common with some new shoes or shoes with thick rubber outsoles. Applying a small amount of lubricant around the outer edges of the sole can often fix this right away.
Petroleum jelly, coconut oil, or even a little WD-40 can work. The key here is to use only a tiny amount and never apply it to the part of the sole that touches the ground. You don’t want to make your shoes slippery or unsafe to walk in.
Use a cotton swab or soft cloth to dab a small bit of lubricant right where the outsole connects to the upper part of the shoe. Work it gently into the seam or edge where the sound seems to come from.
After applying, walk on a clean floor and listen. In many cases, the squeak is gone instantly. If the shoe is still noisy, you might need to reapply once more after a day or two.
Lubricants are usually a last resort when drying and powdering don’t solve the problem, but they can work very well for squeaks caused by rubbing parts of the sole that are tightly glued or molded. Be cautious with leather or fabric shoes and always test on a small spot first if you're unsure.
How to stop shoes from squeaking on waxed floors
To stop shoes from squeaking on waxed floors, gently scuff the sole’s contact points. Smooth rubber creates a suction effect with polished surfaces, and lightly roughening only the heel and forefoot can stop the noise without affecting grip.
Identify the contact points on your outsole. Walk normally and see where your shoe touches the waxed floor first. It’s usually the heel and ball of the foot. These areas cause squeaks because the flat rubber clings to the polished surface like suction.
Use fine sandpaper or a nail file to scuff. Gently scuff the heel and forefoot areas of the outsole. Use very light pressure. The goal is to create just enough texture to break that suction without visibly damaging the sole or reducing traction.
Test and adjust as needed. Walk slowly across the floor after scuffing. If there’s still some noise, go over the same spots again with just a few extra passes. In most cases, this method removes the squeak without affecting how the shoe performs or looks.
How to stop shoes from squeaking on tile floors
To stop shoes from squeaking on tile floors, apply transparent grip dots or anti-slip sole stickers. These break up smooth contact between the sole and tile, reducing pressure vibrations that cause the squeak.
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Clean the sole before applying anything: Use a damp cloth to wipe off any dust or dirt. Let the sole dry fully before applying grip dots or traction pads. A clean surface helps the adhesive stick better and last longer.
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Place grip dots or stickers strategically: Apply them to the heel and ball of the foot area, where the sole meets the tile first. These parts take the most pressure when walking, which is where squeaks often happen. Use clear or black dots depending on your shoe’s look.
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Walk and adjust placement if needed: Take a few steps across a tile surface. If the squeak is still there, try repositioning the stickers slightly forward or back. This changes the pressure points and often stops the vibration that causes the noise.
How to stop shoes from squeaking on concrete
To stop shoes from squeaking on concrete, clean the outsole to remove trapped dust or grit. Concrete grinds particles into your shoe tread, and that buildup causes small squeaks as you walk.
Steps to remove squeaks caused by concrete:
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Inspect the outsole for buildup: Flip the shoe over and look closely at the grooves and edges. You’ll often find fine dust, pebbles, or cement powder stuck in the treads, especially if you’ve walked through a dusty or gritty area.
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Scrub the outsole with warm water and a brush: Use a stiff brush with soap and warm water to scrub the entire bottom of the shoe. Focus on the grooves. Rinse with clean water and let them air dry fully before wearing again.
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Repeat weekly if needed: If you walk on concrete daily, this problem can come back. Make a habit of cleaning the outsole once a week. Keeping the treads clear helps maintain natural grip and prevents the gritty squeak from coming back.
Why do the bottom of my shoes squeak when I walk?
The bottom of your shoes squeak when you walk because the smooth rubber sole is gripping and releasing from the floor too quickly. This usually happens on clean, hard surfaces like tile or polished wood. The squeak is caused by sudden friction or a suction-like effect. Dirt, moisture, or worn-down soles can make it worse. Cleaning the outsole and roughing it up slightly with fine sandpaper often stops the noise. Using anti-slip stickers can also help fix the issue without affecting traction.
Conclusion
Squeaky shoes can be annoying, but the good news is you don’t have to live with the noise. Once you figure out what’s causing it, you can usually fix it in just a few minutes with stuff you already have at home. From powder to drying techniques to rotating your running shoes, each method in this guide is something real people have tried and found helpful. No gimmicks, just simple steps that work.
So next time your shoes start making noise, you’ll know exactly what to do. Quiet steps ahead.
