Whether you’re performing or just having a lesson in your dance studio, it’s important that you look and feel your best. Your dance shoes are an integral component of your costume and affect how you look, feel and dance. Whether it’s ballet, pointe, jazz or tap, and whether the shoes are made from canvas, leather, polyurethane or satin can all make a big difference to how you care for your shoes and keep them looking clean and tidy. It’s not what you can see on the top either, as keeping the soles clean and preserved will keep the shoes working effectively for your dance routines. In this article, we dive into the best ways to protect, clean and store your dance shoes to keep them looking great and lasting for as long as they possibly can. But before we start, remember these three important facts. Don’t leave your shoes in your dance bag! When you’ve danced in them, your shoes might well be covered with sweat and dirt. Airing them out will help moisture and sweat dry out. Remove any padding, toes pads etc and clean and dry them too. The longer your shoes stay damp the more it breaks down the glues and fibres and the shorter their lifespan. Dance shoes are indoor shoes! Dance shoes are not waterproof. Avoid getting them wet! If you sweat in them this is also getting them wet. You will need to dry them out any time they get wet. Do not wear them outside, they are indoor shoes not outdoor shoes. You can use warm up booties to and from dance class if you don’t want to take your shoes off. Dance shoes are both tough and delicate! Although dance is a rigorous sport and dance shoes are manufactured to withstand a lot of strain, you must remember that they are also delicate. This might sounds like an oxymoron, but it’s so true. Treat your dance shoes with the respect and care they need and they will give you the comfort, support, style and durability you need back from them.   How to care for leather ballet, jazz & tap shoes Most dancers opt for leather shoes for good reason. Leather is a highly durable, dirt resistant material that doesn’t mark as easily as non-leather options and therefore has a much longer life. Often your leather dance shoes will last a season of dance (dependent on many factors of course including your dance level, frequency of use and care taken). Leather will also stretch and adapt to the wearer’s foot the longer the shoes are worn, making them an extremely comfortable option for dance. For these reasons, leather shoes are usually more expensive than their affordable canvas or satin counterparts and this cost difference is due largely to the longevity and therefore economy they give the wearer. Leather must be cared for carefully and you cannot put them through the washing machine. The best way to keep your leather dance shoes looking good is to spot clean often to ensure you don’t damage the shoes. We recommend that you follow this guideline for spot treating your leather shoes: Use minimal water to avoid water marks Clean with a solution or mild detergent that will not damage the material Start with a small amount of solution/ detergent and add as needed Gently dab the shoes—don’t scrub Ensure shoes are fully air-dried before using When cleaning your leather shoes, bear in mind that water can affect leather and cause the material to break down more quickly, so only clean leather shoes with water when needed and always use as little liquid as possible. It goes without saying that you should never wear your leather dance shoes outside, they are indoor shoes only, preferably only worn on the dance studio floor, dressing room and stage. When you get home from your dance lesson, check your shoes and wipe with a damp cloth to remove any dirt, dry completely and then store in a shoe bag if you have one. Look for detailed instructions below on how to wash your ballet shoes according to the shoe’s material.   How to care for satin ballet shoes Satin shoes have a chic aesthetic and a shine that is flattering for dance and are a popular choice for ballet dancers. Many ballet and most pointe shoes are made from satin and are a preferred option for dance performance. Satin ballet shoes unfortunately can be very difficult to keep clean, since watermarks from cleaning can leave marks and/or dull the shine on the shoes which will affect the appearance. Moreover, unlike leather, satin is not particularly robust or durable so won’t withstand heavy washing and must never be put through a washing machine. Water can be detrimental to the shoe. Instead, you can spot clean satin ballet shoes with a specialist solution or baking soda. Use minimal water to avoid marking and dab the shoes very gently rather than scrubbing at the marks.   How to care for canvas ballet and jazz shoes Canvas dance shoes are a practical and affordable choice for everyday dance needs, offering a practical shoe for dance classes or rehearsals. Canvas doesn’t mark as easily as satin shoes. They’re also comfortable, they’re breathable and more affordable with the added benefit of usually being able to withstand machine washing. But, if you are washing your canvas shoes in the washing machine, please make sure to run them on a delicate, cold-water cycle, preferable in a laundry bag to keep them protected during the cycle. If you don’t have a laundry bag, pop them inside a pillowcase. After they’ve been washed, reshape the shoes by hand and let them air dry in a shady position out of direct sunlight. Canvas is not as durable as leather, it is a material based on fibers, and therefore the material may weaken after a several washes and you may potentially have to replace your canvas dance shoes more often. For this reason, we recommend to only wash them when they really need it and use the spot cleaning method where you can. Spot clean any canvas shoes with a mixture of water and a few drops of a gentle detergent. Use a dabbing action on marks and stains or rub gently for more stubborn dirt, then ensure they’re fully air-dried before you wear them.   How to clean pointe shoes Almost all pointe shoes and demi-pointe shoes are made with satin, and therefore you can follow the standard recommendations above for cleaning satin ballet shoes with a spot cleaning method. However, bear in mind that pointe shoes may require more care when you’re cleaning them as these shoes are designed to last a limited amount of time. Any  extensive cleaning using water may cause the shoes to break down faster than if not exposed to water. In particular, water can damage your shoes if it mixes with the glue in the toe box. When the toe box breaks down, the pointe shoe is then useless. Some manufacturers recommend a light dusting of talcum powder to help reduce visibility of any sweat stains, so try this first before applying any water. Another facet of keeping pointe shoes clean is to clean the toe pads and cushions, both of which can be washed with a mild detergent and water, depending on the material. Fabric toe pads can usually be put through a cycle in the washing machine, but check the washing instructions for your specific toe pads for more information on washing and care. Can I use soap? We recommend that you be super careful when cleaning your pointe shoes because both soap and water can affect the appearance of satin. If you’re finding them difficult to clean, you could try using a tiny amount of baking soda mixed with a minimal amount of water. Try it first on the bottom of the shoes where it’s less obvious if it stains and remember use only a smidge! Use the tiniest amount of water and mix it with the mildest soap you can find. It’s best to use less and go back over any marks, because if you watermark your shoes you will find it near impossible to restore them to their original condition.   How to care for and clean shoe ribbons Ballet and Pointe shoe ribbons are fabric and therefore can be washed. To do this soak them in warm, soapy water and air dry. For smaller stains, just spot clean while cleaning the rest of the shoe.   How to care for foot thongs and lyrical shoes Foot thongs and lyrical shoes are usually constructed of canvas or man made material, with man-made polyurethane or suede soles. We recommend for smaller stains spot cleaning as for canvas shoes with a small amount .   Looking after the suede sole on your shoes If the sole of your ballet, jazz or lyrical shoes are feeling slippery, you can brush the suede sole before use, which will roughen up the suede surface. Use a clean shoe brush, firm toothbrush or even a dish brush as long as they are clean. If you notice the soles slipping a little on the floor during or just before class use a little water to dampen the suede sole to a little more grip.   Finally, we have put together this guide with care, but as always we cannot be held accountable for any actions taken. Always check the manufacturer recommendations about care and cleaning for your product. We hope this guide will help you keep your dance shoes looking and feeling good for as long as possible. We understand how expensive it is to live the dance dream, so if you can care for your shoes well you will get a longer life from them. Plus everyone loves wearing the comfy dance shoes that have molded to your feet like a pair of gloves, so the longer you can keep your old comfies going the better! www.balletstuff.com.au