How to Clean Stinky Dance Shoes

Clean dance shoes after each use.

From daily practices to weekend performances, dance shoes inevitably get dirty. All athletes sweat inside their shoes and dancers are no exception. The many sweat glands found on the feet release perspiration to cool down the dancer's body, but the beads of sweat end up getting trapped inside the dance shoes, where stinky bacteria multiply, according to East Coast Swing Dance. After each use, clean out stinky dance shoes to maintain foot health, prolong the life of the dance shoes and appease the sensitive noses of those who watch the dance shoes in action.

Things You'll Need

• Air purifier
• Dehumidifier
• Foot powder
• Baking soda
• Tea tree oil
• Garbage can
• Mesh bag
• Clean socks

Instructions

1. Remove stinky dances shoes promptly after the dance activity. Place the warm, moist shoes in a cool area that doesn't get cold enough to freeze, such as an attached garage, heated porch or mud room. Sealing stinky dance shoes in a gym bag traps odor causing bacteria in the shoes.

2. Install an air purifier or dehumidifier near stored dance shoes. Moisture pulled from the shoes reduces the build up of odor-causing bacteria, notes East Coast Swing Dance.

3. Sprinkle one-half tsp. of foot powder or baking soda into each shoe to deodorize and kill bacteria. If powder or baking soda isn't available, dribble a few drops of tea tree oil in each shoe to reduce odor. Before the next use, invert the dance shoes over a garbage can and tap out any loose power or baking soda.

4. Transport dance shoes in mesh or breathable cloth bags between the home and dance studio so the shoes can air out up until the moment the dancer wears them.

Tips & Warnings

• If possible, have several pairs of dancing shoes available. When dancing daily, alternate shoes to give them a long rest between uses. The longer each pair of dance shoes air dries, the less odor the shoes will emit.

• Wear clean, dry socks each time with dancing shoes. Choose socks made of cotton that wick moisture away from the foot. A quick change of socks during a rehearsal or dance class also reduces noticeable foot odor.

• Athletes should never dry moist shoes in a clothes dryer, according to Runner's World. This method of deodorizing stinky shoes can damage the shoe and perpetuate bacteria growth.

References

• East Coast Swing Dance: Love the Dance...Hate the Stinky Shoes
• Runner's World: Running Shoe Care

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish