How to Make Shoes Non-slip? Easy and DIY Methods
Do you want to make your shoes non-slip? Then your wait is over because we are going to share some of the best tips to make shoes slip-resistant. By following these tips, you will walk or run freely on the smooth floor or uneven terrains, as the stability of your shoes will be improved. You will have no fear of getting slipped.
Whenever you walk on the slippery floor wearing slippery shoes, there are many chances that you can slip and fall on the floor. It can cause serious injury; it’s also a moment of shame if you slip in a public place. If you want to avoid injury or an embarrassing moment, you have to wear slip-resistant shoes.
Non-slip shoes are the requirement of restaurant workers, hospital staff, technicians, veterinarians, and all those people who regularly walk on the slippery floor. Even if you don’t regularly walk on slippery or wet floors, you may have to walk someday on such floors. Moreover, consider you have sciatica, then slipping can make your pain even worse, so you have to wear non-slip shoes in sciatica. If you want to avoid injuries or embarrassment, you have to make your shoe slip-resistant. We have got some practical tips to make shoes non-slip.
12 Effective Tips to Make Shoes Non-slip
1. Use the grip pads
A grip pad can be a very effective and particle approach to avoid slipping on the floor. You don’t have to get the new outsole or make changes in the outsole in this method. Just get the grip pads that are easily available in the market. Grip pads contain some kind of texture on their bottom side, which makes them slip-resistant. Due to this pattern, you can stand firmly even on a slippery or wet floor.
The grip pads come in different sizes. Some come in a universal size, which you can trim later according to your shoe’s sole. Some come for a specific size of the shoes. It’s better if you get the grip pads, which perfectly matches your shoe’s size.
It’s very easy to apply the pad grip to your shoes. First, clean the outsole of your shoes and make sure there is no dirt on the bottom of the sole. Cleaning the sole is necessary, as it will help the grip pad perfectly stick to the sole. Now, remove the protective cover from the grip pad, and apply the grip pad to the sole of the shoe. Now, press it firmly and let it dry. After a few hours, when it is completely dry, you can wear shoes.
2. Get the grip spray
The grip sprays work similarly to grip pads. However, grip sprays are expensive as compared to grip pads, but you can use them quickly to make shoes non-slip. You just have to spray on the sole area of your shoes. It also prevents the shoes from slipping.
Keep in mind; you have to be very careful while applying the spray to the sole, as if you accidentally spray on your workspace or clothes, it will become very difficult to remove this spray from them. Follow these tips while applying the grip spray on the sole:
- Protect your clothes.
- Cover your working space with any dirty or old towel.
- Apply gently; make sure you are not spraying it on anything else rather than the sole.
- If possible, wear a mask to avoid breathing the dangerous aerosol.
If you don’t have grip spray, there is one temporary solution as well. You can use the hairspray on the shoes, but keep in mind, it’s only a temporary solution. If you want a permanent solution, then use grip spray.
3. Rub the soles with sandpaper or nail filer to make shoes non-slip
It’s also an effective technique to make the sole rough with sandpaper. The rough soles can stay firmly on the slippery floor. You just have to get the sandpaper or nail filer. If you are using the sandpaper, it’s best if you use the 50 grit sandpaper.
Rub those smooth parts of the shoes’ sole, which come in more contact with the floor, the heel, and the sole’s toe area. Rub for few minutes until the smooth areas of the sole become rough. Once the sole’s base becomes rough, you can wear the shoes and walk freely on the smooth floors without being worried about getting slipped.
4. Walk on rough surfaces
A regular walk on rough surfaces like concrete rocks can help to make the bottom sole rough. It will add the texture and nooks on the sole, which will give more grip to your shoes. If you choose this method, don’t forget to be gentle, as we only want you to make the bottom sole rough rather than destroy your shoes.
5. Make texture on the soles to make them non-slip
This is one of the cheapest and easiest to make shoes non-slip. You can create a texture with any sharp object like a knife or razor etc. Now, get the sharp object and make a pattern on your shoes’ soles by following these instructions.
- Gently create and cut diagonal lines on the sole’s bottom.
- Now create the diagonal lines from the opposite direction
- You will notice a lattice pattern is created.
This pattern provides a grip on the sole. Now, you can walk freely on the floor, as this pattern makes the shoe slip-resistant. Moreover, this pattern also allows the water to pass through it easily.
6. Use the combo of salt and rubber glue
The rubber glue and the salt makes an effective combination to make the shoes non-slip. Take a bowl, add salt and rubber glue to it. Now, mix them gently. Once the mixture is ready, use the paintbrush or any other brush to apply it to the shoes’ soles. Once you have applied to both soles’ bottoms, let them dry.
This method creates a rough texture on the soles’ bottom, making them slip-resistant. Now, you will feel more grip and traction on your feet while walking on the smooth floors. This coating is effective in preventing you from slipping on the floor.
7. Get the ice grips
These grips are made for walking on slippery ice; however, these grips can work perfectly even on rainy, muddy, or smooth surfaces. These heavy-duty rubber ice grips provide a really strong grip to the feet that you can walk or run stably on the floor. These ice grips are easy to use; you just have to insert your shoes in these grips.
8. Use puff paints
If you have kids that use puff paints, you can use them to make your shoe slip-proof. It is also an effective method to create a rough texture on the shoes’ soles, preventing them from slipping. You just have to apply the thin layer of puff paint on the sole. Make sure to apply it only to those areas which come in contact with the floor.
Once you have applied it to the soles, let them dry. Once it is dried completely, you can wear the shoes and walk freely on the floor, as it will create a rough texture on the sole. Remember, it is a temporary solution, as the puff paint texture will not last forever, so you have to reapply it periodically. However, it lasts longer than hairspray.
9. Use masking tape to make shoes non-slip
It is another easy and cost-effective method to make shoes not slippery. It can increase the traction of your shoes. Just take a few rolls of masking tape and form an X-pattern on the bottom of the shoes. However, you may have to reapply the tapes periodically.
10. Use medical plaster
Medical plaster is also known as an adhesive bandage. It works similarly to masking tape. It’s a very cost-effective method, as the bandages are usually available in our houses in the first aid kit. It can temporarily make the shoe slip-resistant.
Each medical plaster has two sides. One side is adhesive, and the other is rough. The adhesive side of the plaster can stick to the shoe. Take two bandages for each shoe. Attach one bandage at the heel while the other one is at the ball area of the sole. The rough side of the bandage will work as resistance, providing grip and stability to your shoes.
Remember, it is also a temporary method, so you can make shoes non-slip for sometime, as the bandage will tear and gets dirty with time, so you have to keep on changing the bandages periodically.
11. Use a hot glue gun
You can create different kinds of textures on your shoes with this method. If you have a glue gun at your home, then this is an easy and cheap method. This method is better than the puff paint method, as it is easy to apply, lasts longer, and provides a strong grip with the sole. We are not saying that it is a permanent solution; however, you’ll have to reapply it less frequently as compared to puff paints. You can make shoes non-slip for sometime with this method.
First, put the glue stick in the gun and warm it with the heat function. You can then imagine the texture in your mind or draw it on the sole with a lead pencil. Now, start drawing the texture on the sole. Once the pattern is drawn, let it dry. Once it is dried, you can walk in the shoes.
12. Use adhesive spray and sand to make shoes non-slip
You must be thinking of it as a similar method as the salt and glue method, but its process is different. However, it also provides resistance to the sole.
In this method, first, spray the adhesive spray on the bottom of the sole. Now, immediately sprinkle the sand on it, without wasting time. After completing these two stops, let the material dry. Once the material is dried, the sole will become rough from the bottom side, providing a strong grip and resistance to the sole. You will be able to walk freely on the smooth or slippery floor.
It’s also not a permanent method. If the adhesive spray rubs off, the sand will be removed as well. We can’t say how long this method will stay effective, as it depends on the quality of adhesive spray. If you get the highest quality adhesive spray with a strong grip, it will definitely last for a very long time.
This video will help you out in performing these tricks for making your shoes non-slippery.
Why are Non-Slip Shoes necessary?
Slip resistance shoes are necessary, as they can save you from serious injury. According to the CDC, in the United States; strips, trips, and falls are the 3rd most common non-fatal work-related injury. NIOSH researchers also did a study to find out the effect of providing free slip-resistance shoes to the workers. The study shows a 67% reduction in slip injury cases. However, the shoes were of high quality.
This is the reason non-slip shoes are necessary, as they can prevent you from falling on the floor. You can stay protected, as falling on the floor can cause serious injury. Moreover, you work more efficiently, as the slip-resistant shoes provide a strong grip and stability while walking or running. That’s why non-slip shoes are necessary, even you wear surgeon shoes, casual shoes, or warehouse shoes.
How do I know if my shoes are slip-resistant?
First of all, you should check the description panel of your shoes before buying them. Most of the time, it is clearly mentioned if the shoes are slip-resistant. However, if you are unable to find this information in the description, you can look at the shoe’s bottom.
The outsole will be made up of EVA rubber. Moreover, you will find some kind of pattern on the outsole. The pattern may include circles, squiggles, or anything else. The purpose of this pattern is to let the water pass through it. Also, it helps to provide resistance while walking on the floor. If your shoes’ soles have these features, it means your shoes are slip-resistant.
The bottom line
Walking on the slippery floor, wearing slippery shoes can be really risky. You can slip on the floor and get yourself injured. You can prevent yourself from injury by making your shoes non-slip. We have shared all the DIY and ready-made methods to make shoes non-slip; you can choose any of the above-mentioned methods you find easy. Most of the required items for these methods are already available at home. Just follow the guidelines mentioned above and protect yourself from injury and public embarrassment.
