Dance Shoe Maintenance: Cleaning and Care Guide

October 6, 2025

Did you just score those dream heels from Portdance and are you already afraid of the first scratch?

I totally get you, girl. You open that box, the smell of new leather greets you, and that satin shine of your new Portdance women's dance shoes almost blinds you. You feel like an absolute queen as soon as you put them on. But then... after one night of heavy sweating on the dance floor, those soles suddenly look black and that beautiful satin starts to look a bit dull. Help! Don't panic, I'm here for you. As a dance instructor, I've worn out (and saved!) hundreds of pairs of shoes, and I'm going to tell you exactly how to keep your investment looking like new for years. The secret to maintaining dance shoes? Brush your suede soles after every class, let them air out outside your bag for at least 24 hours, and always use shoe trees to maintain the shape. If you don't do this, you'll be dancing on slippery 'skates' within three months and you can toss your expensive shoes in the trash. We won't let that happen, right?

What you need to know about your shoes:

Why your shoes actually need 'special care'
The Suede Sole: Your best friend (and how to keep it grippy)
Leather, Satin, or Patent? How to care for each material
Help, they smell! Tackling hygiene and unpleasant odors
Storage and transport: Bag etiquette
When is it really time for a new pair?
Frequently asked questions from beginners

Why your shoes actually need 'special care'

Let's be honest: dance shoes aren't cheap. Whether you go for the stability of Low heel dance shoes or the high-end luxury of Tangolera dance shoes, you pay for quality. But that quality is fragile. A dance shoe is not an ordinary shoe; it is a technical instrument. The sole is often made of suede (chrome leather), which provides that perfect balance between grip and glide.

I see it so often with my students: they come in wearing their beautiful new shoes, dance intensively for three weeks, and then complain that they are slipping. "Are the shoes worn out already?" they ask. No honey, they're just dirty! Dust from the floor, wax, sweat, and drink spills (yes, we all spill at the bar sometimes) soak into that suede. If you don't keep up with this, the sole becomes hard and slippery. That's not just annoying, it's dangerous for your knees and ankles. Good maintenance isn't just for looks, it's for your own safety on the floor.

Actionable tip: Make it a ritual. Just like you take off your makeup before bed, take care of your shoes after dancing. Your feet (and your wallet) will thank you.

The Suede Sole: Your best friend (and how to keep it grippy)

If there's one thing you learn today, let it be this: buy a steel sole brush. No joke, this is the most important tool in your dance bag. The sole of brands like Ray Rose is made to give you that 'feel' with the floor, but that suede 'goes to sleep' due to pressure and dirt.

How do you do that brushing? I often see people petting that sole very gently. Girl, use some force! You have to pull those suede fibers 'open' again. Brush from heel to toe, and don't be afraid to see some dust flying. That's exactly what you want: to get the accumulated dirt out so those hairs can grab the parquet floor again.

I always have a small brush in my bag myself. Notice during a salsa night that I'm starting to slip on my spins? Then I run to the side, run the brush over it, and boom, I'm solid again. Note: never do this while wearing the shoes if you're wearing tights, because one slip with those steel bristles and you'll have a run in your stockings that you won't believe.

Want to know more about how to make specific dance shoes like Latin ones shine again? Be sure to read this article: Latin Shoe Polishing: Maintaining Shine & Longevity.

Leather, Satin, or Patent? This is how you care for each material

Not every shoe is the same. My favorite Tangolera shoes require a completely different approach than a pair of canvas ballet shoes. Here is my 'cheat sheet' for the most common materials:

1. Real Leather (Nappa or Suede upper)

Leather is a natural product; it needs to breathe but must not dry out. If you have leather shoes from, for example, Werner Kern, use a colorless shoe cream occasionally. This keeps the leather supple and prevents cracks at the bending points of your toes. Pro tip: Never use ordinary black shoe polish from the supermarket; it's often too greasy and suffocates the leather of your dance shoes.

2. Satin (The classic Latin look)

Satin is beautiful, but oh so delicate. Got a stain? Use a tiny bit of mild soap on a damp cloth and dab gently. Never rub! You'll break the fibers and get a fuzzy spot. For the die-hard dancers among us: special 'satin cleaners' exist, but honestly, a baby wipe often works wonders for small spots.

3. Patent Leather (Shiny!)

Patent leather is notorious for sticking together during dancing (hello, tripping hazard!). A drop of silicone oil or even a tiny bit of Vaseline on the spots where the shoes touch can prevent this. For cleaning, just use a soft, dry cloth to wipe away fingerprints and dust.

Do you have specific ballet or pointe shoe questions? I've written separate guides for those because that's really a craft in itself. Check them out here: Cleaning Ballet Shoes Guide and Last Size Love | Last sizes of dancewear & dance shoes for a good deal on your next pair!

Help, they smell! Tackling hygiene and unpleasant odors

Okay, let's have some real talk. Dancing is exercise. Exercise is sweating. And your feet sweat more than you think in those tight-fitting shoes. If you stuff your shoes in your bag after class and leave them there until next week... well, they'll start to smell like a soccer club locker room. Not exactly the vibe you want when dancing a romantic Bachata, right?

My golden rule: Airing, airing, airing. As soon as you get home, take those shoes out of your bag. Don't put them near the heater (that dries out the leather and breaks down the glue!), but just in a dry spot at room temperature. Use cedar shoe trees. These pull the moisture out of the leather and neutralize odors naturally.

Do you really suffer from 'sweaty feet'? Sprinkle a little baking soda in your shoes and let it sit overnight (then shake it out well!). There are also special odor eaters in the form of activated charcoal bags that you can slide into your shoes. Works like a charm!

For a complete overview of what you should have in your 'maintenance kit', look here: Shoe Care Products: What Do You Need?

Storage and transport: Bag etiquette

How you transport your shoes determines how long they stay beautiful. Never throw them loose in a large gym bag with your water bottle and wet towel. Always use the shoe bags that often come with them. This prevents the buckles of one shoe from damaging the satin or leather of the other shoe.

And please, promise me one thing: Never walk on the street with your dance shoes. I see it happen sometimes: "Oh, it's only a short walk from the car to the dance school." No! The street is the enemy of your suede soles. One small stone can damage your sole, and moisture from the sidewalk soaks directly into the suede, making it as hard as concrete. Only put your shoes on in the dance hall. Period.

Want more tips on how to best store your shoes at home for the long term? I've dedicated an entire blog to it: Storing Dance Shoes: Best Methods.

When is it really time for a new pair?

Even with the very best care, there comes a time when you have to say goodbye. As an instructor, I often see people continuing on shoes that are actually 'done'. Watch for these signals:

The support is gone: If you feel your ankle sinking inward or the heel counter has become weak, the shoe no longer provides safety.
The sole is bare: If brushing no longer helps and the sole has become paper-thin, you lose the cushioning.
Pain: Do you suddenly get blisters in places you never had them? Then the inner lining is likely worn out.

Is it time for something new? Then take a look at the Ray Rose dance shoes collection for top quality, or score a bargain at the Last Size Love sale.

Frequently asked questions from beginners

1. What are good dance shoes?
Good dance shoes are shoes specifically made for your dance style, have a suede or leather sole for the right grip, and enclose your foot firmly without pinching. Brands like Portdance and Werner Kern are always a safe choice for quality.

2. Which shoes are best for dancing?
That depends on your level and style! For beginners in Latin or Salsa, I often recommend Low heel dance shoes to find balance first. For Tango, shoes with more heel support, like those from Tangolera, are fantastic.

3. Why can't I dance in regular shoes?
Regular shoes (sneakers) often have rubber soles. They have too much grip on a dance floor, which can cause you to twist your knees when turning. Moreover, they leave black streaks that the dance school owner won't like!

4. What exactly are dance shoes?
Dance shoes are technical footwear with a flexible sole (often suede), extra cushioning under the ball of the foot, and a balanced heel that sits exactly under your center of gravity.

5. How often should I brush my soles?
Actually, after every two to three hours of dancing. Do you notice you're sliding? Then that's your sign to grab the brush!