Arts >> Dance >> Ballet

How to Care for Ballet Shoes

Ballet shoes suffer gladly the wear and tear of dancing and can quickly become fatigued and covered with blemishes and scuffs. Use proper care and cleaning methods, and only use ballet shoes for their intended purpose in order to make them last longer and look better. Common types of ballet shoes are leather slippers, canvas slippers, and satin slippers. Follow different methods of caring for your ballet shoes depending on what type of shoes you have.

Things You'll Need

  • LEATHER SLIPPERS:
  • Soft cloths
  • Liquid dish soap
  • Mild laundry detergent
  • Leather cleaner and conditioner
  • Baking soda
  • CANVAS SLIPPERS:
  • Baking soda
  • Lingerie bag
  • Mild laundry detergent
  • SATIN SLIPPERS:
  • Cloths
  • Dry spot remover
  • Baking soda
  • Mild laundry detergent
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Instructions

  1. Leather Slippers

    • 1

      Place the slippers in a warm, dry location to completely dry the moisture left from sweat after a rehearsal or performance.

    • 2

      Spot clean the slippers regularly. Using a soft cloth, wipe away scuffs and marks as they appear with warm water and liquid dish soap. Dry completely with a dry cloth.

    • 3

      Periodically treat your slippers with a leather cleaner and conditioner. Spray on the cleaner and buff dry with a cloth.

    • 4

      Sprinkle baking soda inside the shoes if they develop an odor. Leave the baking soda on for 24 hours, then shake the shoes out.

    Canvas Slippers

    • 5

      Place the slippers in a warm, dry location to completely dry the moisture left from sweat after a rehearsal or performance.

    • 6

      Sprinkle baking soda inside the shoes if they develop an odor. Leave the baking soda on for 24 hours, and shake the shoes out to remove the baking soda.

    • 7

      Wash the slippers periodically by placing them in a lingerie washing bag and putting them in the washing machine on cold. Use a gentle cycle and a mild laundry detergent. Place them in a warm, dry location (out of direct sunlight) to dry. After they have dried for a while, but are still slightly damp, wear the slippers so that as they finish drying they will re-conform to the shape of your foot.

    Satin Slippers

    • 8

      Place the slippers in a warm, dry location to completely dry the moisture left from sweat after a rehearsal or performance.

    • 9

      Spot clean the slippers as needed. Using a soft, slightly dampened cloth, wipe away scuffs and marks as they appear. Use a dry spot remover when necessary to clean difficult to remove stains.

    • 10

      Sprinkle baking soda inside the shoes if they develop an odor. Leave the baking soda on for 24 hours and shake the shoes out to remove the baking soda.

    • 11

      Wash the slippers periodically. Fill a bucket or your sink with cold water. Add mild laundry detergent to make a sudsy solution. Wash the slippers by dunking them in the water. Then hold the shoes under running cold water until rinsed. Do not squeeze the shoes to remove excess water. Let the water drip away, then place the shoes in a warm, dry location (out of direct sunlight) to dry. After they have dried for a while, but are still slightly damp, wear the slippers so as they finish drying they will re-conform to the shape of your foot.

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Ballet

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