Overview
Slippery shoes are a common problem that many people face. There are many reasons why shoes can become slippery, such as:
- The soles are too smooth and unworn
- The soles are made of plastic or leather that have poor traction
- The soles are worn out and have lost their grip
- The floor is wet, oily, or slippery
Whatever the cause of the slipping, you can usually fix slippery shoe problems at home by resurfacing the soles. In this article, we will cover the following methods and products that can help you fix slippery shoes:
- Breaking in new soles by scuffing them on abrasive surfaces
- Using grip-adding products such as non-slip shoe sole grips, spray-on coatings, or rubber cement
- Knowing what to avoid such as wax, polish, or oil on your soles
- Using temporary fixes such as adhesive bandages, hairspray, or salt
By following these tips and tricks, you can make your shoes less slippery and more safe to walk in.
How to Fix Slippery Shoes
1. Breaking in new soles by scuffing them on abrasive surfaces
If your slippery shoes are a new pair, there’s a good chance that they’re slippery simply because their soles are perfectly smooth and unworn. Soles generally get a little more grip once they soften and small nooks and abrasions have been worn into them because these properties allow them to make better contact with the floor. Thus, wearing your soles down somewhat can often noticeably improve your traction. To do this, try walking around on a rough surface like, for instance:
- Concrete (the rougher, the better)
- Gravel
- Rocks, boulders, etc.
- Textured metal grates, walkways, etc.
If you’re not embarrassed, you can even try taking your shoes off and scuffing their soles on the ground with your hands.
2. Using grip-adding products such as non-slip shoe sole grips, spray-on coatings, or rubber cement
Another way to fix slippery shoes is to use products that can add traction and grip to your soles. These products are usually easy to apply and can last for a long time. Some examples of these products are:
- Non-slip shoe sole grips: These are adhesive pads that you stick to the bottom of your shoes to add friction and prevent slipping. They come in different shapes, sizes, and materials to suit different types of shoes. You can find them online or at shoe stores. To use them, simply wipe away dirt from the bottom of your shoes with a wet cloth or paper towel, and then wipe the soles dry. Peel off the backing of the pads and press them firmly onto the smoothest parts of your soles that touch the floor..
- Spray-on coatings: These are aerosol products that you spray onto your soles to create a thin layer of rubber-like material that adds grip. They are usually clear or transparent and dry quickly. You can find them online or at hardware stores. To use them, shake the can well and spray an even coat onto the bottom of your shoes from a distance of about 6 inches. Let it dry for about 15 minutes before wearing your shoes. You may need to reapply it every few weeks or months depending on how often you wear your shoes.
- Rubber cement: This is a type of glue that dries into a flexible rubber-like substance that can also add traction to your soles. You can find it online or at craft stores. To use it, squeeze a thin layer of rubber cement onto the bottom of your shoes and spread it evenly with a brush or spatula. Let it dry for about an hour before wearing your shoes. You may need to reapply it every few weeks or months depending on how often you wear your shoes.
3. Knowing what to avoid such as wax, polish, or oil on your soles
While some products can help you fix slippery shoes, others can make them worse. You should avoid applying anything that can make your soles smoother or more slippery, such as:
- Wax: Wax can create a shiny and slick surface on your soles that can reduce friction and cause slipping. Wax is often used to polish leather shoes, but it can also be found in some shoe cleaners and protectors. If you have wax on your soles, you can try to remove it with a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol or acetone.
- Polish: Polish can also create a glossy and slippery surface on your soles that can make them less grippy. Polish is often used to enhance the color and shine of leather shoes, but it can also be found in some shoe cleaners and protectors. If you have polish on your soles, you can try to remove it with a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol or acetone.
- Oil: Oil can also make your soles more slippery by reducing friction and making them greasy. Oil can come from various sources, such as cooking oil, motor oil, or body oil. If you have oil on your soles, you can try to remove it with a cloth dampened with dish soap or degreaser.
4. Using temporary fixes such as adhesive bandages, hairspray, or salt
If you don’t have access to any of the products or methods mentioned above, you can still try some temporary fixes that can help you fix slippery shoes in a pinch. These fixes may not last very long or work very well, but they are better than nothing. Some examples of these fixes are:
- Adhesive bandages: A less permanent way on how to put traction on shoes is adhesive bandages. By placing bandages adhesive side down on the soles of your shoes, the rough surface on the band-aid will help grip the floor, so your feet stay on it! This is why we tell readers to always keep a few bandages in your handbag: not only does it allow to create a more grippy outsole, but these will help prevent blisters & make heels more comfortable too! Don’t have any bandages? Double sided tape may also help. It certain helps prevent heels from slipping out of shoes, like this shoe heel tape does!
- Hairspray: Another temporary and cheap fix slippery heels hack is hairspray. Spray a little (or a lot) of hairspray onto the soles of your shoes until it feels sticky. Usually about a 10-15 second spray hold, then wait for the soles to dry. The hairspray will create a thin layer of sticky residue that can add some friction and grip to your soles. However, this may not work very well on wet or oily surfaces, and it may wear off quickly or leave stains on your shoes.
- Salt: Another temporary and cheap fix slippery heels hack is salt. Sprinkle some salt onto the soles of your shoes and rub it in with your fingers. The salt will create a rough texture that can add some traction and grip to your soles. However, this may not work very well on wet or oily surfaces, and it may wear off quickly or damage your shoes.
FAQs
Q: How do I know if my shoes are slippery?
A: You can test your shoes by walking on different surfaces and seeing how they feel. If you feel like you are sliding or losing balance easily, then your shoes are probably slippery.
Q: What are the best shoes for slippery floors?
A: The best shoes for slippery floors are those that have rubber soles with deep grooves or patterns that can provide traction and grip. You should also look for shoes that fit well and are comfortable to wear.
Q: How do I prevent my shoes from becoming slippery?
A: You can prevent your shoes from becoming slippery by keeping them clean and dry, avoiding wax, polish, or oil on your soles, and using grip-adding products or methods regularly.
Conclusion
Slippery shoes can be a problem that affects your safety and comfort. Fortunately, there are many ways to fix slippery shoes at home with different methods and products that can add traction and grip to your soles. Whether you have new or old shoes, you can make them less slippery and more safe to walk in by following the tips and tricks in this article.