Your dance shoes are the most important part of your dance wardrobe, and chances are, if you’ve bought a proper pair of dance shoes, then you have already invested some serious money.
Unfortunately, long periods in the studio mean dance shoes can get pretty dirty.
Taking care of them protects not only your investment but also your feet. Plus, it keeps your shoes smart enough for competition. Clean them every time you wear them, and this guide will show you how.
What You’ll Need
- - Soft bristle brush to loosen and remove dirt, this can be used for satin or on the soles of all dance shoes, so you may need more than one brush
- - Suede brush for suede shoes and other dance shoes with a suede sole
- - A clean cloth to lift stains or marks
- - A clean hand towel
- - White spirit for cleaning satin (not to be used neat)
- - Patent protector polish
- - Leather oil or food to nourish dry leather
- - Microfibre cloth to buff and shine patent leather
- - Paper towels
- - Water spray bottle, handy for spot-cleaning
Most dancers have a proper cleaning kit at home and take just a few essential items with them if they’re going to a competition. Sometimes, it’s necessary to lift a scuff or spot-clean a stain.
Types of Dance Shoes
Satin Shoes
Satin is quite delicate and will mark and stain more easily than other shoes. Inappropriate cleaning will damage the fabric.
Start by using a soft bristle brush to loosen and remove any dirt. Blot any stains with a clean, damp cloth using cold water, working from the top of the shoe to the bottom.
Stubborn stains can be dabbed with a damp soapy cloth but only use a mild liquid suitable for hand washing delicate fabrics. Rinse immediately by patting the area with a clean, damp cloth. Never rub, as this will leave a stain.
To bring satin dance shoes back to brand new, you can use a mix of white spirit and water which should be diluted to a 50:50 split. White spirit is a well-known cleaning agent which can be found in the home decoration section of your local DIY store.
Rub the liquid very carefully into the satin in gentle circular motions with a clean cloth that’s not too damp or soaked.
Patent Leather Shoes
Patent leather regularly comes into fashion for ordinary shoes, boots, coats, and handbags, so you may already have some experience looking after other patent leather items.
Clean patent leather shoes with a damp cloth, and then when they’re dry, apply patent dressing.
Shine them regularly with a soft microfibre cloth. Never use normal shoe polish on patent leather, as it’ll destroy the shiny finish.
The trick with patent leather shoes is to use a patent protector polish before you wear them. This helps reduce any sticking of the patent when you bring your feet together and results in fewer scuff marks for you to clean.
Suede Shoes
Suede shoes should be brushed with a suede brush specifically designed for this delicate material.
Use short strokes to lift and expel the dirt ground into the suede. A touch of Vitamin E or castor oil can be rubbed into the bottom of the shoe to help nourish the sole.
Nubuck Shoes
Nubuck is cowhide leather rubbed on the outer side to give it the appearance of suede.
Nubuck can be cleaned with a cloth lightly dipped in warm, soapy water. Use a liquid soap that is suitable for hand washing delicate fabrics.
Leather Shoes
Dance shoes with a leather upper (so a ballroom or tap shoe) can be cleaned with a proprietary leather or shoe cleaner.
Hot studio environments and the sweat from your feet will dry the leather over time, so you can treat the material with a leather food or balsam, which nourishes it and replaces the essential oil content to keep the shoe supple.
How Do You Clean the Soles of Dance Shoes?
Prevention is better than cure when it comes to the soles of your dance shoes. Try and avoid wearing them other than in the studio or on the dance floor, this keeps them in the best possible condition.
The most delicate soles are made of suede. Wet and rough surfaces cause damage to suede soles and compromise the ability of the suede to stay soft and flexible.
Brush the soles with a designated shoe brush, being careful not to catch the stitches as this could damage them. Also, avoid accidentally brushing the upper material, particularly on a satin or fabric shoe, as this will permanently mark the material.
Use a damp paper towel to clean shoes with a hard leather or rubber sole.
Soles in poor condition can have a new sole applied to the old one. Just ensure the sole is as clean as possible first, and then apply using strong holding glue.
Cleaning the Inside of a Dance Shoe
To deal with sweat and odour, sprinkle some baking soda inside the shoe or leave a dryer fabric softener sheet inside each shoe overnight.
Need Cleaning Accessories? Shop Supadance!
Supadance stock various cleaning accessories to suit all types of dance shoes. How you store and travel your shoes is also very important, and we sell a range of shoe bags to help protect your shoes when you’re not wearing them.
Supadance is an expert and experienced manufacturer of quality dance shoes. We know what it takes to make a shoe, so we understand how important it is to care for them.