Childrens' ballet shoes

Caring for ballet shoes




Not many of us can afford to waste money these days, and let's face it ballet lessons are expensive enough without having to constantly replace clothing. Here are some tips for looking after ballet shoes so they last a bit longer.

Prevention is better than cure

As much as they'll want to live out their ballet fantasies at home, don't let your kids run around the house or garden with their ballet shoes on! Get them into the habit of taking their ballet gear off straight after class and stowing it in their ballet bag - apart from preserving the shoes and clothing, it's also likely to preserve your sanity as you'll avoid those frantic searches of the house and grounds five minutes after you should have left for class. Also, don't let your child wear their ballet shoes to and from class - they should wear some regular shoes for the way there and back and change once they're at the studio.

Having said that, make sure the shoes are dry before storing them or they will develop that lovely gym-bag smell, or even spots of mold.

Cleaning soiled ballet shoes

Canvas shoes can be hand-washed or thrown in the washing machine on a cool, gentle cycle. Then let them dry naturally - don't put them in the dryer or they may shrink.

Leather shoes should not be immersed in water or they will lose their shape. To clean, use a damp cloth with a touch of mild detergent for stubborn marks. Some people also use baby wipes (which are great for many household cleaning jobs) or even toothpaste. My advise is to experiment (carefully!) to find what works for you.

Satin shoes should be hand-washed only in cool water and be careful not to rub or wring them excessively or you may damage the fabric.