Dance shoes are one of the most important investments a dancer makes. Whether you’re using pointe shoes, ballet slippers, tap shoes, or jazz sneakers, your dance shoes are essential for comfort, safety, and performance. Proper care not only helps shoes last longer but also ensures that they continue to provide the support and stability dancers need during practice and performance.
In this guide, we’ll cover easy and effective tips for caring for all types of dance shoes, helping you make the most of your investment. With a little extra care, you can keep your shoes in top shape and dance with confidence through the entire season!
1. General Shoe Care – Tips for All Dance Shoes
No matter what style of dance you practice, there are a few general shoe care practices that apply to nearly every type of dance footwear. Following these tips will help prevent wear and tear, keeping your shoes fresh and ready for every class.
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Air Them Out After Each Use: After each session, take your shoes out of your bag to let them air dry. Dance shoes often trap sweat, which can lead to odor and even damage over time. Letting them dry overnight will reduce moisture buildup and help prevent odor.
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Store in a Breathable Bag: Avoid using plastic bags, which can trap moisture. A breathable dance bag or mesh pouch allows airflow, helping to keep shoes dry and fresh.
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Rotate Pairs if Possible: If you attend multiple classes each week, rotating between two pairs of the same shoe style can help extend the life of each pair. This is especially helpful for pointe shoes and ballet slippers.
Why Dancers Love It: These small, easy steps can extend the life of your shoes significantly, helping you get the most out of your investment.
2. Pointe Shoe Care – Keep Your Shoes Stage-Ready
Pointe shoes are delicate and require special care to stay in good condition. Because they’re such a significant investment, even small steps in care make a huge difference.
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Dry Thoroughly Between Uses: Pointe shoes absorb a lot of moisture, especially in the box and shank. After each class, take out the toe pads and let the shoes dry thoroughly to prevent softening and warping. A trick some dancers use is to place small sachets of silica gel (like those you find in shoeboxes) inside to help absorb moisture.
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Use a Pointe Shoe Bag: A pointe shoe bag, ideally one with a mesh section, is great for storing shoes while allowing air circulation. Some pointe shoe bags even come with compartments for toe pads, tape, and other essentials.
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Rotate and Rest Shoes: If you dance en pointe multiple days a week, rotating pairs can help extend the life of each shoe. Giving each pair a day to rest allows the materials to dry and recover between uses.
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Avoid Hard Floors: Pointe shoes are designed for studio floors, not rough surfaces. Using pointe shoes on hard or uneven surfaces can damage the box and shank, causing the shoes to wear out faster.
Why Dancers Love It: Taking a few minutes to properly care for pointe shoes helps them maintain their structure, comfort, and support, letting dancers perform at their best.
3. Ballet Slippers – Lightweight Shoes Need Special Care
Ballet slippers may be lightweight and flexible, but they still require thoughtful care to keep them looking and feeling their best.
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Hand-Wash Only: Ballet slippers are often made of soft materials like canvas or leather that can be easily damaged by machines. Hand-wash canvas slippers in cold water with mild soap and allow them to air dry. For leather slippers, spot clean with a damp cloth and avoid submerging in water.
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Reshape After Each Wash: After washing, gently stuff ballet slippers with tissue or paper towels to help them keep their shape as they dry.
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Avoid Overstretching Elastic: Elastic bands on ballet slippers provide support, but overstretching them can lead to a poor fit. Try not to pull on the elastic unnecessarily, and replace it if it becomes too loose.
Why Dancers Love It: Keeping ballet slippers clean and well-shaped preserves their softness and flexibility, making them feel as comfortable as the first day you wore them.
4. Tap Shoes – Keep Them Shiny and Sounding Great
Tap shoes are durable, but they still need special care to keep their taps sounding clear and their upper leather looking great.
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Clean the Taps Regularly: Dirt and dust can build up on the taps, affecting sound quality. Wipe the taps with a damp cloth after each use to remove debris. If the taps are particularly dirty, a small wire brush can help clean them.
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Polish the Leather: Many tap shoes are made from leather, which benefits from regular polishing. Use a gentle leather cleaner and polish to keep them looking shiny and fresh.
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Tighten Screws: Over time, the screws holding the taps can loosen. Regularly check and tighten these screws as needed. Loose taps can make unexpected sounds and wear out more quickly.
Why Dancers Love It: Clean, well-maintained tap shoes produce a clear sound and look fantastic, helping dancers feel and perform their best.
5. Jazz Shoes – Keep Them Flexible and Clean
Jazz shoes are known for their flexibility and lightweight design, which allows for smooth movements and easy turns. Proper care will ensure they keep their flexibility while also lasting longer.
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Spot Clean and Avoid Washing Machines: Like ballet slippers, jazz shoes should be spot cleaned rather than thrown into a washing machine. A damp cloth and a mild soap work well for cleaning the upper without risking any damage to the fabric or sole.
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Store Carefully: Jazz shoes can lose their shape if squished into a crowded dance bag. Store them in a dedicated pouch or compartment within your bag to prevent unnecessary folding or creasing.
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Replace Soles as Needed: Many jazz shoes have thin rubber soles for flexibility. Check for wear, as worn-out soles can become slippery and affect your performance. The Dance Shoppe can help you replace or re-sole shoes if needed.
Why Dancers Love It: Well-maintained jazz shoes help dancers move with ease and precision, supporting the agility needed for styles like jazz and contemporary.
Proper dance shoe care is key to keeping your shoes in top shape, supporting your comfort and performance throughout the season. By taking a few extra steps to clean, store, and maintain your shoes, you can extend their lifespan and keep them looking (and feeling) as good as new. From pointe shoes to tap shoes, each type has its own care requirements, but these simple tips make it easy to incorporate shoe maintenance into your routine.
At The Dance Shoppe, we offer a wide range of products to support your shoe care needs, from storage bags and leather polish to toe pads and tape. Stop by to pick up what you need to keep your dance shoes in excellent condition all season long – and don’t hesitate to ask our staff for more tips on caring for your favorite pairs!