Looking after your dance shoes means making them last! You want to keep your dance shoes for as long as possible and get the best use out of them that you can. That is why we have made this blog “How To Look After Your Dance Shoes,” to give some tips and tricks to keep your dance shoes clean, and in good condition.

It is so important that you keep your shoes in good condition, not just so they look nice, but to ensure you are safe and able to dance. Take AFL for example, their footy boots keep players safe while they are playing, as well as helping them perform well and play to the best of their abilities, just like all your dance shoes do the same.

Some general tips and tricks

Wear only when dancing: One of the most important rules of taking care of your dance shoes is to not wear them outside! This applies for all shoes, excluding runners, as when you want outside, on gravel or concrete, it can really damage the souls of your shoes and nobody wants that.

Cleaning: Another important note in ensuring your dance shoes stay in top condition is to properly clean them before concerts or performances! *Important* When it comes to cleaning your dance shoes you should never put them in the washing machine.

You can clean leather shoes with some detergent and water then leave them out to airdry to prevent them from smelling. Filling the newspaper is also helpful in absorbing any mostiture in the shoe. Lastly, when you are looking to give the inside of your dance shoes a general clean, sprinkling baking soda inside of them overnight can prevent any unwanted smells.

Sizing: The sizing of your dance shoes should be prioritised when purchasing new ones as it is so important to be comfortable when dancing. When buying new dance shoes at dance stores such as Energetics or Studio 7 Dancewear the staff will help you with sizing. This means communication is important, you must vocalise any concerns if the shoes feel uncomfortable to ensure that you can focus on dancing rather than any concerns about your shoes. Please remember that you may be still growing so allow for growing room. This way your dance shoes can last as long as possible!

What to know about each type of dance shoe

Tap: The screws in your tap shoes can begin to loosen as you dance. Check that the screws are sitting below the level of the tap shoe plate. If they are above the level of the plate, this will mean that you are dancing on the screw head rather than the plate itself. If your screws do come loose or even fall out it is a simple fix of just screwing it back into its place, ensuring it is tight so it won’t happen again. If you loose the screw, you can purchase more from dance stores, such as energetiks, for a great price.

Tap shoes should be regularly cleaned just like any other shoe. They are leather and therefore can be cleaned with either leather cleaner or water and detergent.

Ballet and Jazz: If you notice that either your ballet or jazz shoes paint is starting to fade or wear down, consider repainting them, just ensure you use a light coat! Please note canvas ballet shoes are not recommended for our school as they get marked on a black stage, however, if you do have canvas shoes you can put them in the washing machine in a lingerie bag to clean them.

Pointe:

Pointe shoes are very different to regular ballet shoes. They are usually made with satin material and are quite difficult to clean. If your pointe shoes do require cleaning, please note that they should never be submerged in water. Instead, dab a small amount of detergent onto the stains and rub them gently with a clean rag or toothbrush. Then, use a lightly damped rag to clear away the detergent. At no point should the pointe shoe be wet all the way through as this can damage the glue and wood structure within the toe box. After you use them you should air them out as they will not last as long as they should if they hold in too much moisture. You can do this by hanging your shoes over a door or handle after class to ensure they are ready for your next lesson.

How long will my pointe shoes last? When should I buy a new pair? These are some very commonly asked questions about pointe shoes. As pointe shoes are made from natural materials they wear down over time, your pointe shoes will typically last between 12-20 hours of dancing; however, this can be different for everyone.

Here are some signs that you need new pointe:

If the show feels too soft; feeling less supported and the box has lost its shape
If the shoes are too tight; this is an indication that your feet are growing and you need a new size

Now onto the care of your feet! It is so important to wear toe spaces in between your big toe and second toe, as well as wearing toe pads to cover all of your toes. These will hopefully help prevent too much pain and blisters which can arise from dancing with pointe shoes. However, if you do get blisters, which you may as it is very common, don’t stress, there are many ways to help with the pain. Using methylated spirits on the infected areas is a great way to help heal blisters and sore areas. All you do is get a cotton pad, place a small amount of methylated spirits on it and simply dab and/or rub onto infected areas.

If you feel that your shoes are falling off or you do not feel supported, it may be because your elastics and ribbons have become loose and it may be time to re-sew them. It is very important that both your ribbons and elastics are sewn on properly and tightly to ensure your shoes stay securely on your feet which will in turn help with your dancing.

Last but not least, with your pointe shoes there are so many little hacks to help make sure you are safe, comfortable and supported when you're dancing. Some include

Cutting and glueing on suede onto the bottom of your shoe (the button of the block) as this will help with slipperiness and also keep your shoes in good condition for a longer period of time
Putting some super glue or shoe glue on the inside of your shoe can help with the support and comfort of your foot. Simply glue around the block on the inside of the shoe (further up the shoe) and wait patiently for it to dry

Foot Thongs:

You may not have heard of a foot thong before, however they are great and an amazing way to help with your dancing in certain styles. Styles like contemporary and lyrical are often performed barefoot, but sometimes it can be very tricky to do some skills, especially turning. That's why foot thongs or half shoes are so helpful.

They can be easily cleaned through a cold gentle wash with like colours or a cold to lukewarm hand wash and rinse and then lay flat to dry. DO NOT use bleach or detergent to clean your foot thongs.

A helpful tip: If the floor is still too slippery, put a tiny bit or water in the sole of your foot thongs to help you have better grip when you're dancing.

Runners:

Last but not least, your runners. Typically runners are worn in less technical classes, like hip-hop, which you may not do, however it’s always useful to know how to take care of any of your shoes.

Make sure you clean your shoes and wipe your feet prior to entering the dance studio, especially if they are dirty so we can keep our floors nice and clean. If your shoes become dirty, which they will over time you can clean them by wiping down your shoes with a cloth and some warm water and soap, scrubbing off any dirt or grime, then leaving them out so they can dry.

Most importantly make sure you are comfortable! You will need runners or sneakers which support your feet so you are comfortable and safe so you can dance your best.

Well, that's all from us on how to clean all of your dance shoes. Overall, the most important thing is to make sure you are comfortable and feel good when you are dancing. Hopefully all of our tips and tricks will help you take good care of your shoes and get the best use out of them that you can.