How To Clean Ballet Shoes: Clean Like A Pro

Cleaning your ballet shoes isn't as simple as tossing them in your washing machine. It requires a careful way of cleaning to make sure that you won't damage them. Let's find out how to clean ballet shoes properly.

Types Of Ballet Shoes

To know the ways on how to clean ballet shoes, make sure to know what materials it's made of. Each kind of material requires different ways of cleaning.

Leather - Leather ballet shoes are said to be firmer and easier to clean. They expand with your feet, that's why they are highly recommended for young dancers.

Satin - Satin ballet shoes are fancier and prettier to look at. That's why they are usually used for formal performances. However, this kind of shoes can diminish faster compared to other types.

Canvas - Canvas ballet shoes are a bit similar to satin; they also wear out fast but are less expensive. Many ballerinas use these because of their flexibility to adjust with the shape of the foot and support wider feet.

How To Clean The Leather Ballet Shoes

What you need:

• Gentle liquid dish soap
• Bowl
• Sponge
• Warm water
• Towel

What to do:

1. Put little drops of dish soap in a bowl of warm water and stir until it forms a lather.
2. Wet the sponge with the mixture and wash the surface of the leather shoes fully.
3. Rinse the sponge with clean water and remove any remaining soapsud residue.
4. Dry completely with a towel.
5. DO NOT put your leather ballet shoes in the tumble dryer.

How To Clean Canvas Ballet Shoes

What you need:

• Small bag
• Laundry machine
• Mild nonbleach detergent
• Towel

What to do:

1. Put the leather ballet shoes inside a small bag. Putting it in a bag will grant extra protection and prevent the shoes from getting tangled inside the washing machine.
2. Set the washing machine on a delicate cycle, add the desired quantity of detergent.
3. Put the small bag with the ballet shoes into the washing machine and run the cycle. Don't use fabric softener or any bleaching product.
4. Once the wash is finished, get the Ballet shoes from the bag and lay them flat on a towel. Place them outside to dry, but make sure not to put it under direct sunlight. Reshape them, and make sure to let them dry entirely before wearing.
5. DO NOT put your canvas ballet shoes in the tumble dryer.

How To Clean Satin Ballet Shoes

What you need:

• Mild laundry soap
• Basin
• Cold Water
• Towel

What to do:

1. Fill the basin with cold water.
2. Add the mild laundry soap. Follow product directions for the quantity of water you need to use.
3. Soak the satin ballet shoes and wash them. Be careful not to force liquid out by turning the ballet shoes.
4. Empty the water and refill with cold clean water.
5. Rinse until there's no more suds coming out when you press them. Try not to twist.
6. After rinsing, remove the ballet shoes, and gently press to remove excess water. Place them outside to dry, but don't put it under direct sunlight. Reshape, and make sure to let them dry completely before wearing.
7. NEVER put your Ballet shoes in the tumble dryer.

Conclusion

In learning how to clean ballet shoes, always keep in mind the material the shoe is made from. Always keep those ballet shoes neat and clean for your next performance.