Dance shoes use soft, flexible materials that can be more delicate than everyday footwear. A little regular care helps keep them comfortable and looking good.

Smooth natural leather and coloured leather

After dancing, gently remove dust with a soft, dry cloth. For light dirt, use a slightly damp cloth and let the shoes dry naturally.
When the leather needs conditioning, apply a small amount of cream suitable for smooth leather. A matching coloured cream can also help make light scuffs less visible. Apply sparingly, let it dry and gently buff with a soft cloth. Saphir Crème Surfine is one example.
Always test any product on a small, hidden area first and let it dry before treating the rest of the shoe.

Gold, silver and other metallic leather

Metallic leather has a delicate surface finish, so rubbing and contact during dancing can leave visible marks.
Start with a very soft, dry microfiber cloth and wipe gently. Avoid hard rubbing, abrasive brushes and strong cleaners.
If the metallic colour has worn away, cleaning alone will not restore it. A colour-matched product specifically suitable for metallic leather may help disguise small scuffs. Check compatibility with your finish first. For deeper scratches or peeling, ask a cobbler before attempting a repair.

Artificial leather

Wipe gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth, then dry with a clean cloth. For stubborn dirt, choose a cleaner labelled as suitable for synthetic leather.
Avoid leather oils and conditioning creams unless the label specifically says they are suitable for artificial leather. These materials do not need nourishing in the same way as natural leather.

Artificial suede and fabric

For natural suede, gently remove dry dust with a soft suede brush. Use a suede cleaner for stains, following its instructions.
For artificial suede and fabric, use a soft brush and a cleaner suitable for the specific material. Avoid soaking the shoes or putting them in the washing machine.

A few habits that help

• Let your shoes air out after dancing before putting them away.
• Dry them naturally, away from radiators and direct sunlight.
• Carry each shoe in a separate soft bag to prevent rubbing.
• If using a protector spray, check that it is suitable for your exact material and finish. Follow the ventilation and drying instructions, and keep it off the soles.

Protectors can help repel moisture and stains, but they cannot prevent scratches from footwork. You can see examples in Saphir’s protection range.

We use shoe-care products from Saphir and Tarrago ourselves, they are simply brands we find helpful. You can also look for them on Amazon. Always choose by material and finish, rather than by brand alone.

If you are unsure which product to use, send us a photo of your shoes. We will be happy to help.