How to Clean Dance Shoes

The leather of most dance shoes is specially treated.

While a lot of dancers like the weathered, hard-working appearance of dirty dance shoes, caked-on, accumulated dirt can make the leather of your dance shoes brittle, causing them to age faster in appearance, become more prone to rips and holes and possibly wear out faster. Just as a dancer has upkeep to do for her muscles and joints, such as stretching and taking hot baths, a dancer must also create and commit to a routine that keeps her dance shoes clean and in good shape.

Things You'll Need

• Shoe brush
• Small basin
• Warm water
• Mild detergent
• 2 soft cloths
• Paper towels
• Moisturizing cream or conditioning polish for dance shoes

Instructions

1. Brush the dirt and other accumulated material vigorously off the upper and sole of each shoe. Turn the shoes around as you do this. Gently tap the shoes together to remove any lingering dirt.

2. Add a silver dollar-sized amount of a mild detergent to a small basin of warm water. Swish the water and detergent together with your hands. Submerge a soft cloth in the water. Wring it out.

3. Use the soapy cloth to wipe down the upper and the sole of one shoe. Dunk the cloth again in the soapy water, wring out and wipe down the other shoe.

4. Shake the water off both shoes and stuff paper towels down into the toes. Wipe off the uppers of the shoes with a paper towel.

5. Apply a moisturizing cream or a polish that shines and conditions. Whichever product you use, make certain it is especially for dance shoes. For most shoes, you'll need only an amount the size of a dime. Rub it into the exterior of each shoe with a soft cloth, making sure it's well distributed. Allow it to soak into the leather for at least an hour before you wear your shoes.

Tips & Warnings

• The leather of dance shoes is often specially treated. That's why you should always use polish and conditioner especially designed for these types of shoes.

References

• Dance Savvy: Dance Shoes Maintenance