High quality dance shoes are an investment and dancers are not easy on their footwear. In order to make sure your dance shoes last and stay looking sharp, they need to be cared for properly.

1️⃣ First, to help you out, we have put together some of the essential tools you’ll need to look after your dance shoes as well as how to take care of your shoes – no matter the material.

✔️ Brush
A suede shoe brush is a must have for all dancers with suede-soled shoes.
✔️ Clean Oil
A shoe oil will help to keep your leather shoes moisturized and free of cracks.
✔️ Shoe Polish Cloth
A clean, high quality shoe polish cloth will help to keep your shoes clean and looking their best.
✔️ Water Spray Bottle
A water spray bottle is important to have on hand so that you can easily spot clean your shoes.

2️⃣ Below, you’ll find cleaning instructions for your dance shoes:

? Leather shoes
If your shoes are made of leather, you should polish them once a week. Use a damp cloth to remove all dirt, then use a thin layer of cream or wax polish to preserve and moisturize the leather. This will keep your shoes looking like new!

? Suede soles
If your shoes have suede soles, you’ll need a suede shoe brush to raise the nap as it will eventually go flat (and possibly hard) from use. Always brush from toe to heel. You should do this immediately upon noticing if the soles of your shoes have become flat and smooth or have dirt stuck on them.

? Suede shoes
For suede shoes, use a clean tooth brush to remove any dirt and a suede shampoo to remove any stains. Make sure that you use suede dressing well in advance of wearing the shoes so that they have time to dry out. Make sure you brush your shoes from front to back after applying the suede dressing.

? Nubuck shoes
Clean your nubuck shoes with a cloth dipped lightly in soapy, warm water. Otherwise, follow the instructions for suede shoes.

? Patent leather shoes
If your shoes are made from patent leather, clean them with a damp cloth and apply patent dressing after drying. Shine them regularly with a soft cloth. Never use regular shoe polish on patent leather.

3️⃣ Finally, don’t forget simple but effective things:

✔️ Storage your dance shoes properly
Don’t throw your dance shoes into a plastic bag! The same applies to all bags made of non-breathable fabric, as it will cause your shoes to sweat and ultimately decay and smell. It’s best to store your shoes in a dry location, in a shoe bag of good fabric, and leave them out overnight to air out. This is a good way to keep bacteria at bay.

✔️ Be gentle when you put on and remove your dance shoes. Only wear them in the dance studio, and not elsewhere, since the coarse ground can damage the soles. Suede leather in particular can’t withstand dirt, moisture and rough floors, so never wear this style outdoors.

✔️ For people who dance a lot, it’s good to have at least two pairs of dance shoes, if you can afford it. It gives each pair a refreshing break, plus different shoes work different muscles.

Love your dance shoes!