Soften hard crepe soles again

Crepe soles become hard and inflexible over the years.

The rubber can be easily softened with heat again: put shoes on some layers of newspaper or cardboard on a bollernde heating (50 degrees), after about 1-2 hours the sole is as soft as when you buy. The warmer and longer the shoe is heated, the softer the sole becomes: therefore check occasionally. The sole stays soft for many months. You can repeat the procedure if necessary.

Sometimes one reads that the hard crepe soles are "dried out". That is not right. Never touch these soles with turpentine, oil, petroleum jelly or solvents, they will become sticky or dissolve!

Repair Rubber Soles - with Teri Edmonds | March 2024