Caring for your dance shoes is essential to ensure they remain in good condition, offer proper support, and last for an extended period. Here are some general tips on how to care for your dance shoes:
1. **Keep Them Clean:**
- Wipe your shoes after use with a clean, dry cloth to remove sweat and dirt.
- Leather shoes can be polished using a soft brush
- For patent shoes, use a damp cloth with a mild soap solution to gently clean the surface.
- For satin using a white spirit that is diluted to be a split 50/50 with water but please be careful and rub a cloth that's not too damp in very gentle circular motions.
- Avoid using harsh chemicals or soaking the shoes, as it may damage them.
2. **Keep away from moisture**
You should do all you can to avoid getting your shoes wet as this can stain and damage the shoes.
3. **Allow Them to Dry:**
- After each use, let your shoes air dry naturally to prevent odor and bacterial growth.
- Avoid exposing them to direct heat or sunlight, as this can damage the materials.
4. **Use Shoe Bags:**
- Store your dance shoes in a breathable shoe bag to protect them from dust and debris.
5. **Rotate Your Shoes:**
- If you dance frequently, consider rotating between multiple pairs of dance shoes. This allows each pair to air out and reduces wear and tear.
6. **Use indoors only:**
- Shoes with soft suede outsole must be used indoors only on dry even floors.
7. **Store Properly:**
- When not in use, store your dance shoes in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or extreme temperatures.
- Avoid leaving them in a damp environment, as this can promote mold and mildew growth.
8. **Protect Suede Soles:**
- If your dance shoes have suede soles, use a suede brush to maintain their texture and grip. Brush in the direction of the fibers to remove dirt and restore their appearance.
9. **Protect heels**
To preserve the condition of the heel tip, it is recommended that you use Heel Protectors. We offer these with a suede base as they feel more consistent with the rest of the sole and allow dancers to glide with ease.
10. **Address Odor:**
- To prevent odor, you can use odor-absorbing insoles or shoe deodorizers.
- Allow your shoes to air out between uses to reduce moisture and odor buildup.