How to clean satin ballroom dance shoes
How to Care for Your Latin Dance Shoes – Yami Dance Shoes
Latin dance shoes, these are the kind of investment that pays for themselves. Whether you’re wearing dancing shoes for rehearsals, practice, social dancing, or the performance of a lifetime, these must-haves let you shine on and off the dance floor. And if you’re wearing a pair of Yami shoes, you can give the performance of the lifetime in comfort!
But because dance shoes take a lot of beating, caring for them is key to extending their life. Endless hours of practice, dirty floors, and all that fancy footwork will take its toll on your dance shoes. That’s why it’s important to know how to care for your shoes properly. You simply cannot throw your dance shoes in the wash, you have to clean it depending on the material:
MaterialLeather
Smooth Leather: Hardy and durable but sweat could dry out the material. Exposure to moisture for an extended period increases the risk of mold growth. Needs regular brushing to eliminate dust buildup and make scratches less visible. Generally, genuine leather has to be conditioned.
Textured Leather: Stain resistant and durable but prone to drying out when kept in storage for too long. Exposure to moisture for an extended period increases the risk of mold growth. Generally, genuine leather has to be conditioned.
Suede Leather: Durable and dust resistant. Suede is quite soft and delicate so it needs regular brushing to remove accumulated dust and make scuffs less visible. The delicate material is sensitive to harsh cleaning agents. Generally, genuine leather has to be conditioned.
Vegan Leather
Depending on the quality, vegan leather is less durable than genuine leather so the material is prone to scuffs, and tears. Resistant to dust and stains but prone to flaking when stored for a long time. Here at Yami Shoes, we only use vegan leather and Flock - an alternative to suede leather - for our Latin dance shoes because:
Flexibility: Leather is known for its rigidity, a quality that makes it tough and durable.
But the rigid material takes some time to break in. It will take several uses before the material softens, which means dancing with leather shoes isn’t as comfortable as dancing in Yami dance shoes. The lack of flexibility as well as the pain you experience dancing with leather shoes will affect your overall performance.
Comfortability: Leather dance shoes need breaking in because the rigid material is thicker than vegan leather and they hurt the feet. The fit of dance shoes is different from regular shoes, it should be snug. That’s the reason why dancers buy dancing shoes that are a half to a full size smaller.
Now imagine dancing in a pair of snug leather shoes, it’s not only uncomfortable, but the hardy material also leaves the feet with blisters and cuts. Vegan leather is the most comfortable alternative. The material molds to your feet for a snug fit sans the pain and blisters.
Cruelty-Free: Here at Yami Shoes, we believe that everyone deserves the best quality Latin dancing shoes without hurting the animals.
The material is 100% cruelty-free, no animals were hurt in making these beautiful Latin dancing shoes. On top of that, the materials we use are environmentally-friendly. By buying your Latin dance shoes from us, you’re not contributing to the world’s worsening pollution. You are a part of the solution!
Flock (Faux Suede)
Flock is a type of faux leather made with textured synthetic fibers. Here at Yami Shoes, we use flock in place of suede leather because the material is cruelty-free and softer. Flock also comes in many colors, allowing shoe designers to come up with standout designs.
Flock is quite hardy so you don’t need to baby the material at all. It's scratch-resistant, doesn't tear easily, and it retains its texture for a long time. All it needs is regular brushing to remove accumulated dust.
Satin
Breathable and light - feels like nothing on. The luxurious satin material adds a subtle shimmer to your feet but it tends to pick up dirt and grime easily.
Very prone to smudges and oily stains, grimy stains that are a pain to remove. The wrong cleaning product could either spread the stain or cause discoloration.
Textile
Lightweight and easy to maintain but prone to stains. Fabric materials like denim are quite durable so these materials are perfect for everyday dancing shoes. But the material tends to pick up grime and dust quickly so it needs regular cleaning.
SolesSuede Soles
Most dance shoes have suede soles, a very delicate material that needs constant care. When used regularly, the sole of the dancing shoes tends to accumulate deep-seated grime and dirt that are hard to remove. The soles are also subject to constant abuse so they’re prone to cracking and/or tearing when left neglected.
Microfiber Soles
Dancing shoes like Yami Latin shoes are made with microfiber. Microfiber is a synthetic material that’s similar to suede but is 1) cruelty-free 2) hypoallergenic and 3) wicks moisture away from the skin.
If you’re a conscientious buyer who only supports cruelty-free products, we’re happy to report that Yami shoes are 100% animal and environmentally-friendly. The microfiber soles are also perfect for anyone who’s allergic to the chemicals used for leather tanning.
Since microfiber doesn’t absorb sweat like regular suede, it won’t smell after a few uses. This makes microfiber easier to maintain. The breathable material means that microfiber soles provide more comfortable wear.
Caring for Your Dancing Shoes by MaterialCaring for Leather
Leather shoes with smooth or patent leather should be cleaned regularly with a soft brush. Brush your leather shoes at least once a week to remove accumulated dirt and make scratches less visible. The shoe polish should match the leather’s color.
For textured leather, the material itself is resistant to scuffing, tearing, and staining but should also be brushed at least once a week. Use a leather cleaner to remove stains and condition the material at the same time.
For stains and grime, spot clean with a damp cloth. For grimy stains, blot with a clean cloth that’s slightly dampened with a gentle cleaning agent. This should lift the oily residue, making stains less noticeable. Finish up with a thin layer of leather conditioner to moisturize the leather and minimize the risk of flaking.
For suede and/or nubuck dancing shoes, the material will require regular brushing to keep the material looking new. For surface stains, gently wipe with damp paper towels. Dry the shoes completely then finish up with a good brushing.
A soft cloth dampened with lukewarm water should remove deep-seated, dried-up stains. For oil-based stains, try blotting with a soft cloth dampened with ethyl alcohol. Follow up by wiping with a clean cloth dampened with water, dry the shoes completely then brush away.
Caring for Vegan Leather
Treat vegan leather the same way as genuine leather. Polish the material at least once a day and then condition with a regular leather conditioner to keep the shoes looking new.
Because vegan leather is thinner than genuine leather, it has to be conditioned regularly to prevent flaking.
To remove surface stains, wipe gently with a damp cloth or paper towel. Dry the shoes completely then finish up with a good brushing. For oil-based stains, try blotting with a soft cloth dampened with ethyl alcohol. Follow up by wiping with a clean cloth dampened with water, dry the shoes completely then brush away.
Caring for Flock (Faux Suede)
Brush the material regularly with a suede brush to remove dust and surface dirt. When it comes to stains, do not use harsh detergents. We recommend spot cleaning the stain by saturating a soft, clean cloth with water and a mild liquid detergent. You can also use a suede stain eraser for tough stains that water and detergent cannot remove.
Caring for Satin
Of all materials used for dance shoes, satin is the most delicate. The material is lightweight because it’s thin, which makes it prone to tearing.
The material has the uncanny ability to pick up the slightest stains and removal can be hard with just a damp cloth.
To clean your satin dance shoes, prep the material by dry brushing away all the dust and dirt with a soft shoe brush. Never use damp cleaning materials because the surface dirt could end up going deeper into the material, which will make it hard to remove.
For stubborn stains, add a small amount of gentle hand washing liquid on a soft damp cloth and then gently rub onto the material. Pat with a clean cloth dampened with cold water to remove the lather, blot with a dry towel to remove as much moisture as possible then residue then air dry. Remember, leaving the satin shoes damp after cleaning might cause watermarks so you have to remove as much of the moisture as possible while air drying.
Caring for Textiles
Thick fabrics can pick up dirt and dust much faster than leather so clean your dancing shoes the same way you’d clean a pair of satin dance shoes.
Start by brushing away the dirt and dust with a dry soft brush. Then, spot clean with a dampened cloth, blot dry then air dry.
For stubborn dirt, use soapy water to spot clean the stain, take as much of the moisture out as possible to prevent watermarks then air dry.
Caring for Your Dancing Shoe SolesCaring for Suede Sole
Dancing soles are different from conventional walking shoes because the soles are made with suede material. The material optimizes the freedom of movement, allowing you to execute those complex twirls and turns! But, suede is one of the most delicate of all leather materials so it should be taken care of regularly to extend its life.
Brush the material with a suede brush to remove surface dirt and dust. For mild stains, you can either spot clean with a clean cloth dampened with a mild detergent or use a suede stain eraser. Do not over-saturate suede with water because this might lead to discoloration or damage. Also, do not use a hairdryer to speed up the drying process.
Just air dry the material.
Caring for Microfiber Sole
Microfiber is a breathable, low-maintenance material. You can use a suede brush to remove superficial dirt and dust build-up. For mild stain, use a damp, clean cloth to spot clean. Follow up with a good brush of suede brush then leave to air dry. Avoid over saturating the material with water or cleansing agents because this can cause damage and/or discoloration to the microfiber sole.
References
https://www.ballroomdanceplanet.com/how-to-clean-ballroom-dance-shoes/
https://thedancestore.ca/best-way-to-clean-dance-shoes/
https://ilovedanceshoes.com/blogs/guides/how-to-take-care-of-your-dance-shoes
https://blog.rayrose.com/how-to-clean-the-soles-of-dance-shoes/
https://www.freedoflondon.com/how-to-care-for-your-latin-and-ballroom-dance-shoes/
https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry/how-to-clean-satin-shoes-sheets-clothes.html
https://www.souliersstudio.
com/blogs/the-launch-of-souliers-studio-vegan-shoes-with-soul/a-few-tips-for-how-to-care-for-your-vegan-shoes
https://www.ehow.com/how_5808610_clean-faux_suede-shoes.html
https://bootmoodfoot.com/clean-faux-suede-shoes/
International Dance Shoes | Shoe Care
We understand that you want to make sure your shoes last as long as possible so we've created this page to give you a few tips on how!
Here, you’ll find a few pieces of advice related to looking after your shoes but if you’re seeking a particular piece of advice that isn’t available on this page, then please do call us on +44(0)1908 319937 or email us and we'll do all we can to help.
Satins
We use top quality satins that are very hard wearing and there is normally very little fraying. You should do all you can to avoid getting your shoes wet as this can stain and damage the satin. If you order shoes in White Satin then you can dye this material and we add a small cutting of the satin to the boxes of orders in this material, which you can use to test the dye before applying it to your shoes.
In terms of cleaning satin shoes, please do be careful what products you use as some may be too strong and this can ruin the material. We advise using a white spirit that is diluted to be a split 50/50 with water but please be careful and rub a cloth that's not too damp in very gentle circular motions.
Patent
Within all the shoe boxes of any Patent shoes ordered there is a small 'Patent Protector' brush. This is a polish which, when applied before dancing, will help reduce any sticking of Patent when you bring your feet together. As a result, there is less friction and by preventing sticking you can ensure that no scuff marks appear. We recommend using this before and after dancing, and between rounds if needed. Whilst there is one included in every shoe box of Patent shoes, you can order more by clicking here.
Heels
To preserve the condition of the heel tip, it is recommended that you use Heel Protectors. We offer these with a Plain Tip and with a Suede Tip.
Many Latin dancers will prefer the plain tip ones as they're rubber and offer a bit more grip, whereas the suede ones feel more consistent with the rest of the sole and allow Ballroom dancers to glide more compared to the rubber ones. Some competition rules also state that Heel Protectors must be used, as not only do they protect your heel, but they protect the floor too. We also supply replacement Heel Tips too, which can be viewed by clicking here.
Sole
The main points we stress here is to avoid wearing your dance shoes outside and try to limit use away from the dance floor as much as possible. This will ensure that your soles stay in the best condition possible. Don’t let them get wet and avoid rough surfaces as this could cause damage. We work directly with tanneries to ensure our suede is long lasting and soft, which allows for the excellent flexibility that dancers experience with our shoes.
To maintain the condition of your soles, use our Shoe Brush, which can be viewed here.
Using the brush doesn’t only ensure the soles are kept clean, but they can also increase the friction of the sole. If you have our XG Sole, be really carful when using a brush not to catch the stitches because this will cause the stitches to be cut. Be really careful to focus on carefully brushing just around the XG Sole pad. Be careful to also not accidentally brush or catch the upper material, because a shoe brush on satin, leather or any other fabric could cause damage.
We also offer replacement soles, which are available for Ladies and Gentlemen. To apply a new sole, we suggest that you ensure the old sole is as clean as possible, and then apply the new sole to the shoe over the top of the old sole by using strong holding glue. Click here to view our Ladies Replacement Soles, and click here to view our Men’s Replacement Soles. These are available in all of the different colours that we offer.
Shoe Fresh Spray
We offer bottles of 'Shoe Fresh' which is an anti-bacterial and anti-microbial spray that can prevent odours.
This spay, available by clicking here, can be used when the shoes are new and then before and after dancing and the dancer simply needs to spray inside the shoes on the insoles and linings and let them dry naturally. It's made with Micro-Fresh® which is composed of a natural, active ingredient which carries on when you're dancing, and after cleaning. It's also vegan friendly and the small 100ml bottle size means that you can even bring your spray in your hand luggage when travelling by plane for your competitions! Click here to view.
Care of satin dance shoes - Dance Magic
- Details
- Posted on 04/30/2013 00:53
Shoes made of satin, with all their external attractiveness, have such a drawback as capriciousness. It requires regular cleaning and the use of special tools. Some shoe polish brands have special formulations for satin shoes. It is these compositions that must be used so as not to disturb the aesthetic appearance of the dancing couple.
Visiting a dance shoe store, you can get confused among the variety of different models. Some buyers may be attracted to beautiful shiny satin ballroom dancing shoes. These shoes will look great while performing various numbers. However, they can lose their aesthetic appearance very quickly without proper care.
Satin is a shiny and multi-coloured fabric that immediately grabs attention. But it is so exacting to care that many professionals refuse to use it during responsible numbers. Cleaning such shoes is fundamentally different from caring for a suede or leather pair.
The easiest way to get your shoes clean and beautiful again is to have them professionally cleaned. Many dance clubs and organizations have such a service. But this approach may seem too tedious. First, you will have to pay regularly for it. Secondly, not every person wants to leave shoes unattended. Therefore, it is wiser to make shoes at home. At the same time, you can learn some techniques for cleaning the surface of a pair from various stains.
To keep your satin ballroom shoes looking their best, you should never use hard brushes, otherwise nasty pellets may form on the surface, which will spoil its appearance. To work with such surfaces, it is better to purchase special formulations and care products. Such compositions are sold, for example, by an online dance shoe store. You can sometimes find them at a regular point of sale.
Soap or powder is often used for cleaning. The work itself is done by hand without any other devices. In extreme cases, you can use cotton swabs. Some owners of satin shoes use dish detergent when cleaning. However, the best choice would probably be a professional care product for such shoes from Salamander. The tool is called "Salamander Combi Proper". However, if you search, you can find effective remedies from other brands.
Satin shoes may have various stains. Ballroom dance shoes often get dirty due to wax, paraffin, paints and lipstick. They may also have some cosmetics on them.
For example, it can be sparkles. In this case, it is better to use the services of a specialist. Although you can find a way to cope with the problem and on your own. It's just that each specific case has its own characteristics when cleaning.
How to care for ballroom dancing shoes?
1. After class or competition in ballroom dancing, the shoes must be dried. Proper drying of shoes after a workout is a very important part of taking care of dance shoes to keep them in good condition. Take your shoes out of the bag as soon as you get home.
Wet shoes dry only at room temperature, and it is advisable to insert a stretcher into it or stuff it tightly with newspaper, napkins or crumpled paper (which must be changed periodically). Ballroom dance shoes can only be cleaned with special shoe care products, today such products are sold in almost any store.
Do not dry ballroom dance shoes near a radiator or any other source of heat! From this, the material may crack or even sit down!
If your shoes do shrink, use a shoe stretcher.
2. Washing shoes is not recommended.
3. For transportation, manufacturers put special bags in boxes with shoes, there are special bags for shoes, you should not wear ballroom dancing shoes in plastic bags, shoes do not “breathe” in these bags.
The care of ballroom dance shoes depends on the materials used to make the shoes.
Satin ballroom shoes can be cleaned at home with a special shoe cleaner available from almost any dance store. It is necessary to strictly adhere to the instructions, and then your shoes will keep a presentable look longer. You can not rub such shoes with a brush or try to wash them with plain water - this will lead to thinning of the fibers of the fabric, and to the formation of ugly spools. You need to pay attention to the seams and fasteners. Places where the fabric can fray can be lubricated with natural oil.
4. Recently, it has become popular again to dye shoes in the color of a suit - this can be done both in the salon and on your own, choosing the right tone.
5. Many people stick rhinestones on their ballroom dance shoes using the same adhesive that is used to decorate the competition dress. For the period of gluing and drying, it is recommended to insert a special spacer into the shoes and fill them with paper. It is not recommended to wear shoes glued with rhinestones or decorated with laces for training, because. from frequent rubbing of shoes against each other, the stones will be slightly erased and lose their original luster.
6. Genuine leather shoes are easy to care for. You can clean it with a damp cloth or sponge. There are specialized tools, but since. they are created primarily for street shoes, sometimes it is worth treating ballroom dance shoes with natural ones, for example, beeswax. To give shoes made of genuine leather shine, you can use a special polish sold in ordinary shoe stores.
7. Keeping track of men's suede and nubuck ballroom shoes is a little trickier. Do not use water to clean these shoes, water will promote the formation of new stains! Suede and nubuck are dry cleaned.
Before the main cleaning, it is necessary to treat the shoes with a special brush with rubber. But you can also use the "grandmother's" method - an eraser and toothpowder! In order for shoes made of nubuck and suede to last longer, you need to stock up on special care products for such shoes and special impregnation.
8. Lacquered ballroom dance shoes should be handled with care, even the smallest scratch will be visible on the lacquered surface! It is not necessary to clean new patent leather shoes - just wipe them with a flannel cloth. At the moment when the need arises for cleaning, it is best to use a soft sponge and soapy water, or use special products: shoe oils and balms. To remove stains, you can use nail polish remover without acetone.
Never use a brush to care for patent leather shoes! You can get rid of dull spots that sometimes appear on patent leather shoes by rubbing these spots with a cut onion or egg white. Patent shoes should not be kept near sources of heat and moisture.
Otherwise, it may even become moldy! If suddenly your shoes are covered with mold, then carefully remove it and grease the surface with glycerin. Leave the glycerin on for 10 minutes, then remove it with a cloth.
Partners often complain that at the beginning of wearing patent leather shoes cling to each other and lose their presentable appearance. To solve this problem, there is a special tool that can be bought at the time of purchase of new shoes.
9. A very important part of ballroom dance shoe care is sole care. The sole is made of specially dressed leather, suede and has small villi. Your stability depends on the state of the sole - sliding on the parquet. Optimum adhesion to parquet is 70% dependent on the condition of your soles, the remaining 30% depends on the quality of the parquet.
The soles of ballroom dance shoes should be cleaned with a special brush before each practice session or any time on the floor, and once or twice during practice. For easier cleaning of the brush itself, it is recommended to put an old nylon stocking on it before use, which is removed after cleaning.
The brush will be like new.
Almost all dancers wet the soles of their shoes with water, but this causes them to deteriorate rather quickly. If you have ever used this method, you will have to resort to it constantly. It is better to use castor oil for the same purposes.
Some dancers spray their soles with hairspray, this may work for a short time but after the hairspray dries it gets worse. After that, it is almost impossible to clean the sole from the varnish.
10. There is a universal cleaner that is well known to motorists - this is the WD-40 fluid displacer. This tool will help clean the paraffin sole, from fat and disinfect it. But often you should not use this tool either, because. completely fat-free skin is also bad. Recently, a special powder has appeared on sale to help achieve the necessary slip on the parquet.
11. Change of heel heels - concerns mainly partners. It is better to purchase a spare pair of heels at the time of buying new shoes.
Heels should be changed, not allowing them to wear out too much. Changing heels is a very simple action that anyone who has used a hammer at least once in their life can do. In order to replace the old heel, you need to fix it with pliers and pull it out. Then insert a new one so that the metal pin that is on the heel goes deep into the heel in the right direction, then drive the heel inside with a hammer.
First of all, it is necessary to take care not of shoes, but of your own skin of your legs and feet. It is necessary to take care of the feet, and recently appeared, special orthopedic insoles, invented specifically for sports ballroom dancing, will help to keep the shape of the feet as long as possible. A special powder, also designed specifically for dancers, will kill bacteria that spread infection and odors and help prevent excessive perspiration.
Insole Care0070
Most insoles are made of artificial materials, but there are also insoles made of real leather, for example, Dance naturals (DN) uses only natural leather.
It cannot be unequivocally said that one is better than the other. Artificial materials are easier to care for (which many ignore), genuine leather is, of course, comfort, but caring for it requires a special approach. And it is highly recommended to use a powder that kills bacteria. If the insole is not taken care of, it will become wet from aggressive sweat, become a breeding ground for bacteria, and, ultimately, this can lead to the loss of the internal shape of the shoe. It is very important that there is a certain adhesion between the soles of the feet and the insoles (not the sticking of a dirty and wet insole to the foot, but the adhesion).
Some manufacturers of ballroom dance shoes use a cushioning system - a special spring mechanism. There are several important points that tell us how the shoe manufacturers thought about dancers:
Shoe shape
If ballroom dancing shoes do not support the arch of the foot, these shoes are not suitable for dancers.
If the shape of the last leads to flat feet (which almost all manufacturers have!), then the rest of the care for the feet goes into second place.
Sole - see item no. 9
Note 1: Heel pads are a separate issue. Recently, different types of headbands have been used in terms of material, shape (different shape of the neck of the headband, different base), in addition, the use of different colors, effects (for example, with deodorant, with the addition of phosphorus, etc.). All this is a separate topic for discussion.
Note 2: Today, various anti-slip powders such as anti-handle and anti-slip of German production are on sale. Discussion of the use of these powders is also a separate topic.
How long one pair of ballroom dancing shoes can be used
Many factors influence this, first of all, the duration of training, the shape of the foot, proper shoe care ... All this is very individual. And, of course, it depends on how many couples you have and how often you practice.
For example, couples sponsored by English firms are given an average of five to six pairs of shoes per year for each athlete. The lifespan of shoes for intensive training and competitions ranges from 2-3 months on average. From a hygiene point of view, it is also recommended to change shoes every 3 months. With proper operation and good care, this figure can be increased up to one year. Well, from experience, the right approach, for example, to men's ballroom dancing shoes (the right choice of manufacturer, the right choice of model and size, and, of course, the right shoe care) allows shoes to serve for several years. Women's shoes serve, of course, less. But with the right approach to choosing ballroom dance shoes and with proper care for them, they can last several seasons.
The durability of ballroom dancing shoes, besides their care, is also influenced by other factors: high-quality and precise lasts, the raw materials from which the shoes are made, professional assembly on high-precision equipment, and many other points.
