Dance shoes are an investment, and a little care makes them last far longer — and keeps the suede sole gripping the way it should. Here’s how we look after satin, suede and leather dance shoes at our Ottawa and Montréal showrooms, without ruining them.
Caring for suede soles
The suede (chamois) sole gives that grip-with-slide you want on a wood or sprung floor. To keep it working:
- Brush it with a wire suede brush when it feels slick or looks flattened — brush against the nap to lift it and restore grip.
- Never wear them outdoors. Grit, water and pavement destroy a suede sole fast. Carry them in a bag and change at the studio.
- Keep them dry. Damp suede loses grip and can harden — air-dry away from direct heat if they get sweaty.
Cleaning satin dance shoes
Satin marks easily and can’t be soaked. For scuffs and smudges:
- Spot-clean gently with a barely-damp cloth and a tiny amount of mild soap — dab, don’t rub or soak.
- Blot dry immediately and let them air-dry naturally.
- For scuffs on dyeable satin, a matching dance-shoe dye or a little talc can help — test on the sole edge first.
Cleaning leather & patent shoes
Leather and patent are the easiest: wipe with a soft, slightly damp cloth, then buff dry. A leather conditioner occasionally keeps the upper supple. Avoid harsh cleaners.
Keeping them fresh
Air your shoes out after every session rather than sealing them in a bag while damp. A sprinkle of shoe deodoriser or cedar inserts between wears keeps odour down, and rotating two pairs lets each dry fully.
Storage and protecting
Store shoes in a breathable shoe bag, not crushed at the bottom of a kit bag. Protect the heels with heel protectors — they save the heel tips from wear and stop that clicking on hard floors, and they’re far cheaper than a re-heel.
When to resole or repair
If brushing no longer restores grip, or the suede has worn through to the base in patches, it’s time for a re-sole rather than a new pair — a good shoe with a tired sole is very much worth saving. Ask us in store if you’re not sure.
Shop and get fitted
Looking after a well-fitting shoe is easy; the hard part is getting the fit right in the first place. See our fit & sizing guide, browse all dance shoes, or book a fitting in Ottawa or Montréal.
Frequently asked questions
How do I clean suede dance shoe soles?
Brush them with a wire suede brush against the nap when they feel slick, to lift the suede and restore grip. Never wear suede-soled shoes outdoors.
Can I wash satin dance shoes?
No — don’t soak them. Spot-clean gently with a barely-damp cloth and a little mild soap, dabbing rather than rubbing, then blot dry and air-dry.
How do I stop dance shoes from smelling?
Air them out after every session instead of sealing them in a bag, use a shoe deodoriser or cedar inserts, and rotate two pairs so each dries fully.
When should I re-sole dance shoes?
When brushing no longer restores grip, or the suede has worn through in patches — a good shoe with a tired sole is worth re-soling rather than replacing.
Written by Olga and the Wedance fitting team. Olga has fitted dancers for several years and coaches Anna, who fits at our Montréal showroom. We fit dancers face-to-face at our Ottawa and Montréal showrooms — so this guide reflects real fittings, not a spec sheet.
