Homemade pickles turn soft when cucumbers are old, the blossom end is not removed, the brine is too weak, the wrong salt is used, the pickles are overprocessed, fermentation is too warm, or spoilage occurs. To keep pickles crunchy, use fresh pickling cucumbers, trim the blossom end, follow a tested recipe, use the right vinegar and salt, avoid overprocessing, and discard soft, slippery, slimy, or spoiled pickles.