Shoe Care Guide

Welcome to our Shoe Care Hub, where we provide specialised care instructions for your premium Ballroom and Latin American dance shoes. Whether you're looking to maintain the luster of leather, the delicacy of satin, or the shine of synthetic materials, our guides offer all the information you need. Explore our resources to find practical tips and recommended products that help extend the life of your dance shoes, ensuring they remain as flawless and functional as your dance moves.

This setup effectively positions your shoe care hub as a comprehensive resource for maintaining high-quality dance shoes, inviting you to further explore specific material-based care instructions. 

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Satin Dance Shoes

Satin, with its delicate sheen and soft texture, requires specific care to maintain its beauty and extend the life of your shoes. Follow these steps to ensure your dance shoes remain in top condition, dance after dance.

Dancing is an intense activity, and perspiration is inevitable. To protect your satin shoes from the effects of sweat:

> After Each Use: Allow your shoes to air out in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. This helps in evaporating moisture and prevents the build-up of odour.

> Application: When dry, use our Protector Spray (shop here) all over the shoe inside and out from new to protect against moisture build up. To fight odours, use this Menthol Deodorising Spray to neutralise the build up of unpleasant odours.

Satin requires gentle care when cleaning. Follow these steps to clean the satin exterior of your shoes:

> Spot Cleaning: Use a soft, damp cloth to gently dab at stains or marks. Avoid rubbing as it can damage the satin's delicate fibres.

> Stain Removal: For tougher stains, use our Cleaner Spray and follow the instructions on how to use it on on its product page.

> Drying: Never use direct heat to dry your shoes. Always air dry away from direct sunlight to prevent discolouration.

Proper storage is key to maintaining the shape and fabric of your satin dance shoes:

> Avoid Crushing: Store your shoes in a spacious shoe bag or box to avoid crushing the satin fabric. Keeping your shoe box is useful for this (and for remembering the style of shoe you ordered)!

> Shape Preservation: Use shoe trees or tissue paper to fill the shoes and help them retain their shape. Keep that scrunched-up tissue that is stuffed into your shoes when you receive them for this, don't throw it in the bin, it has its use!

> Humidity Control: Keep silica gel packets in your storage area to absorb excess moisture and prevent mould growth.

If possible, rotate between pairs of dance shoes. This gives each pair ample time to air out and reduces the wear and tear from continuous use.

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Leather Dance Shoes

We use Calf leather, which is prized for its softness, fine grain, and durability, making it an ideal material for dance shoes that need to withstand hours of practice and performance. We work closely with a tannery in Italy that we've worked with for many years who have helped us develop a Calf leather which has a softness, weight and finish that helps us to create beautiful looking footwear that lasts. Here are some tips on how to keep your shoes in peak condition!

Keeping your leather shoes clean is essential to maintain their appearance and prevent damage from buildup of dirt and sweat:

> After Each Use: Wipe your shoes with a soft, dry cloth to remove dirt and moisture. This prevents the accumulation of grime which can degrade the leather over time.

> Deep Cleaning: Once a month, or more often if used heavily, clean the leather with a cleaner specially formulated for leather shoes, shop our Cleaner Spray here for this and follow the instructions on the product page.

Leather needs moisture to stay flexible and prevent cracks:

> Condition Regularly: Every 2-3 months, apply a leather conditioner to keep the leather supple. Shop Suphir Beaute du Cuir Creme Surfine on our website by clicking here and follow the instructions on how to use it, which are shown on the product page.

Polishing your shoes not only makes them look great but also adds a layer of protection from scuffs and stains:

> Polish as Needed: Depending on the frequency of use, polish your leather shoes regularly to maintain their shine and protective surface. Choose a wax-based polish that matches the colour of your leather to enhance the shoes' appearance and provide a protective coating.

Scratches and scuffs are inevitable but can be treated to minimise their appearance:

> Minor Scuffs: For light scuffs, use a soft cloth dipped in matching shoe polish to gently buff the leather.

> Deeper Scratches: Apply a small amount of leather cream or conditioner to hydrate the area and reduce the visibility of scratches.

Storing your leather dance shoes properly is key to maintaining their shape and quality:

> Avoid Direct Sunlight: Store your shoes in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight, which can fade and dry out the leather.

> Use Shoe Trees: Insert cedar shoe trees to maintain the shape of the shoes and to absorb moisture when not in use. 

> Protect them: Give them space, so that they're not at risk of getting squashed which can mis-shape them. Keep them in shoe boxes and if you can't use the cedar shoe trees, keep some scrunched up tissues stuffed down the toes to help keep the shape. 

Sweat and moisture can significantly shorten the lifespan of leather shoes:

> Air Out Shoes: After wearing, ensure your shoes are aired out in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and heat sources. This helps to evaporate moisture trapped inside and prevents the buildup of odour-causing bacteria.

> Odour Control: If odour becomes an issue, consider using cedar shoe trees when not wearing your shoes, as they can absorb moisture and deodorise the leather naturally. Use the Menthol Shoe Deodorising Spray too, click here to shop.

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Patent Dance Shoes

These shoes are designed to provide a high-gloss finish with less maintenance than genuine patent leather, but they still require proper care to maintain their appearance and extend their lifespan. Follow these steps to keep your dance shoes looking their best.

Keeping your synthetic patent shoes clean is crucial for maintaining their glossy finish:

> Regular Cleaning: Wipe your shoes with a soft, damp cloth after each use to remove dust and dirt. This prevents buildup and preserves the shine. Use a Protector Spray from new, following the instructions on the product page here.

> Deep Cleaning: For tougher stains, use our Cleaner Spray, reading the instructions on the product page.

> Polishing: Use a silicone-based polish or a patent leather cleaner designed for synthetic materials to enhance the shine. Apply a small amount with a soft cloth, spreading it evenly over the shoe (or use the polish provided in the shoe box (shop here for more)).

Proper storage helps maintain the shape and condition of your shoes:

> Avoid Crushing: Store your shoes in a spacious shoe bag or box to avoid creasing or crushing the material.

> Shape Preservation: Use shoe trees or stuff the shoes with soft tissue paper to help them retain their shape. Your shoes will come with this stuffing tissue paper, keep it for this purpose rather than throwing it away!

> Humidity and Temperature: Keep your shoes in a cool, dry place away from direct heat sources which can cause the material to warp or crack.

Because dancing can lead to perspiration, managing moisture inside your shoes is important:

> Ventilation: Allow shoes to air out after use to evaporate moisture and prevent odours, and use our Menthol Deodorising Spray to neutralise odours.

> Can I use standard leather products on synthetic patent shoes? It’s best to avoid products designed for genuine leather. Stick to cleaners and polishes specifically meant for synthetic materials to avoid damaging the finish. Usually, some silicon polish and a clean, microfibre cloth can keep your shoes in great condition.

> How often should I polish my patent dance shoes? Polish your shoes as needed to maintain the gloss, typically every few weeks depending on use and the degree of scuffing. Use the small polish which comes with the shoes before dancing and in between rounds to prevent sticking (which is a cause of scuffing/scratching).

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Suede Soles

Suede soles are chosen for their perfect balance of grip and smoothness on the dance floor, but they require special attention to maintain their performance and extend their lifespan. We work closely with tanneries to ensure a long lasting and soft suede which allows for excellent flexibility for the shoes. We also have special requests for rubber soling too so details on how to care for rubber soles are included below too.

Routine care is crucial for keeping suede soles functional and extending their life:

> Brushing: After every use, brush the soles with our wired Suede Brush. This helps to remove dirt and maintain the nap (the raised fibres of the suede), which is essential for the grip on the dance floor. If you are wearing an XG Sole, be careful when brushing as the thread used to stitch the rubber and suede together is fragile and catching that with a wire brush will damage it.

> Avoid Moisture: Suede does not perform well when wet. Always ensure your soles are dry before use. If they become wet, allow them to air dry naturally away from direct heat sources.

> Rubber soles (including XG Sole): Regularly clean the soles with a damp cloth to remove dirt and grit, which can affect traction and performance. For deeper cleaning, use mild soap and a soft brush to scrub the soles gently. Dry naturally, away from direct heat. To enhance grip, occasionally scuff the soles lightly on a rough surface. Store in a cool, dry place to prevent the rubber from degrading. Avoid prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures, which can cause the rubber to become brittle.

Occasionally, your suede soles will need a more thorough cleaning:

> Stain Removal: For stains, use a suede eraser or a specific suede cleaning block. Gently rub the stained area to lift off the dirt.

> Reviving the Nap: If the nap of the suede becomes too smooth or compacted, rough it up lightly with a suede wire brush (click here for ours). This will bring back the texture needed for optimal dance performance. Like the point above, be careful using a wire brush when you have an XG Sole not to catch the thread where the sole is stitched. Also, brush from the middle outwards to avoid catching the upper material.

Suede soles can occasionally get wet, which can affect their performance:

> Drying: Should your suede soles become damp or wet, pat them dry with a clean towel and then let them air dry naturally in a well-ventilated area. Do not apply direct heat as it can damage the suede.

> Restoration Post-Wet: Once dry, use a suede brush to restore the nap to ensure the soles are ready for your next dance session.

> Can I replace the sole? Yes! We offer replacement soles (in a variety of colours) on our website (click here for men's size (applicable also for ladies teaching shoes) and click here for ladies). As the soles flatten out a lot over time, it's recommended to simply add the new soles over the top and trim to fit. It can be done with a strong fabric glue, or you could take the replacement soles to a local cobbler and have them help you.

> How often should I brush my suede soles? Brush them lightly after every dance session to remove dirt and maintain the texture necessary for grip. Be careful when using a wired shoe brush generally as they are sharp. Careful not to catch the upper material too because if the sharp brush connects with any of our upper materials, it will cause damage.

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Heels

The heels of your dance shoes are crucial for performance and stability on the dance floor. Proper care and maintenance of the heels not only keep them looking great but also ensure they function properly during every dance routine. Follow these guidelines to take care of the heels on your Ballroom and Latin American dance shoes.

Regularly check the heels of your dance shoes for any signs of wear or damage:

> Check for Looseness: Before and after each use, ensure the heels are securely attached to the shoe. If you notice any movement or looseness, refrain from using the shoes until they have been repaired by a professional.

> Look for Wear: Pay attention to the heel tips. Excessive wear can affect balance and can damage the heel structure. You might find that when standing, depending on how you distribute your weight, one side of the heel tip might wear away faster. Wearing Heel Protectors can help protect the condition of the heel tip itself (they're available here) although they will be subject to wear themselves.

The tips of your dance shoe heels can wear out with regular use, affecting performance and safety:

> Regular Replacement: Replace worn heel tips to maintain grip and protect the structure of the heels. Our dance shoes are designed with replaceable heel tips for this purpose. Click here to order replacement heel tips. You can remove the existing tips with pliers and new tips can be simply hammered into place.

> Professional Services: You can take your shoes & the replacement tips to a local cobbler/professional shoe repair store. In most cases they may be able to fit on of their own replacement heel tips to save you shipping a pair over from us.

Using your dance shoes appropriately can extend the life of the heels:

> Dance Floor Only: Use your dance shoes only on suitable dance floor surfaces to prevent undue wear and tear on the heels. Many dance schools/studios will ask you to wear Heel Protectors, which protect their floors from scratching, as well as your heels.

> Avoid Rough Surfaces: Avoid walking on rough or abrasive surfaces that can scratch or chip the heels. When heel tips get scratched, they can become sharp so be careful. And this, as per the above, is another reason why dance schools/studios will ask you to wear Heel Protectors.

> How often should I replace my heel tips? Replace heel tips as soon as they start to show significant wear or if they begin to compromise your balance and comfort on the dance floor.

> Can I repair loose heels myself? It is recommended to have loose heels fixed by a professional to ensure the structural integrity of the shoe is maintained. Heel Tips are something you can replace yourself (though take to a professional if you are in any way unsure how to replace them).

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