Download Article Download Article

Children's dance wear is expensive to buy. If you care for it correctly, it will last longer and save you money. Care for things like shoes and clothing through proper washing and storage. Repair damage, such as frayed tights, quickly to avoid needing to replace such items. Make sure the child uses equipment correctly to keep it in excellent condition.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:
Caring for Shoes
Download Article

  1. 1
    Keep dance shoes dry. Shoes have a tendency to fray, especially satin shoes. To prevent shoes from fraying, avoid getting your shoes wet. Make sure your kids do not walk around in their shoes while it's raining. Avoid leaving your shoes anywhere they may accidentally get wet, such as near the front door.[1]
  2. 2
    Limit how often your children wear their shoes. Only allow your kids to wear their dance shoes during practice. Preventing stains in general, not just wet shoes, can cut back on fraying as it reduces the frequency you need to clean the shoes.[2]
  3. 3
    Invest in high quality shoes. While higher quality satins may be pricier, they are less prone to fraying than other brands and will therefore need replacing less often. When selecting footwear for your kids, go for pricier shoes made from higher quality materials.
    • It can help to ask a dance coach or another parent for recommendations for high quality shoes.
  4. 4
    Use heel protectors. Heel protectors are placed on the tip of a shoe's heel. They protect heels from damage such as scuffing. You can buy them online and in most stores that sell dance equipment. Heel protectors are highly recommended, as they can protect dance shoes from a lot of damage.[3]
    • Some competitions actually require heel protectors to protect the floor from scuffing during dancing.
  5. 5
    Brush the soles of dance shoes. Invest in a quality shoe brush. You can buy one online or in stores that sell dance supplies. Brushing the shoes on a regular basis will help remove dirt and debris and prevent the material on the soles from wearing down. This prevents shoes from sliding around on the floor while your kids are dancing.
    • The precise frequency of brushing depends on how often shoes are used. Shoes that are used frequently will need to be brushed more often.
  6. 6
    Clean your shoes properly. Dance shoes should be cleaned promptly if they get dirt or debris stuck to them. Melamine foam, or a similar substance, can be used to blot stains out of dance shoes. Always look for a cleaner specifically designed to clean your shoe's material. For example, use a stain cleaner on satin shoes.[4]
    • Always do a spot test of any new cleaner on a small portion of the shoe first. Dab on the cleaner and check later to see if it's caused any damage or discoloration. If it has not, the cleaner is safe to use on the whole shoe.[5]
  7. 7
    Let dance shoes air dry. Dance shoes should never be placed in a dryer for washing. This can cause them to wear out easily and damage delicate fabrics like satin. If you wash dance shoes, always allow them to air dry.[6]

Method 2
Method 2 of 3:
Caring for Dance Clothing
Download Article

  1. 1
    Wash leotards regularly. Leotards should be washed regularly. Do not use bleach or detergent. Leotards should be hand washed only using cold water. They should be turned inside out before washing. You only need to wash them to freshen up the smell slightly and remove any obvious stains. Do as little scrubbing and rubbing as possible when cleaning leotards to prevent them from wearing down too fast.[7]
    • Always read the manufacturer's instructions before washing a leotard. This will give the best advice on how to wash yours.
    • All leotards wear down over time, even with correct washing. Do not feel like you've failed if, after a few months, leotards start to lose some of their elasticity and color. Unfortunately, leotards do not last forever and need to be replaced regularly.
  2. 2
    Dry leotards correctly. Never put a leotard in the dryer. Leotards should be either be laid down flat to dry or hung on a clothes hanger. Never use clothespins or similar devices on a leotard, as they can leave pressure marks.[8]
    • You should consult manufacturer's instructions before drying your leotards. Very delicate leotards may come with specific instructions for drying.
  3. 3
    Fix runs in tights with nail polish. If you notice a run, have your children carefully put on their tights. Then, take some clear nail polish. Gently paint both ends of the run using clear colored nail polish. Have your children wear the tights until the nail polish dries. This should seal the run and prevent the tights from splitting further.[9]
    • If you get nail polish on your child's skin, dab the area with an acetone-free nail polish remover. Then, wash the area in soap and water.[10]
  4. 4
    Wash tights gently. If you wash tights in the washing machine, use the gentlest cycle possible and put them in a mesh bag prior to washing. You can also hand wash tights in the sink or bath using cold water. Use only a small amount of mild detergent to wash tights, if you use detergent at all. After washing the tights, allow them to air dry. Tights should never go in the dryer.[11]
    • Consult the manufacturer's instructions prior to washing tights. Some tights may be hand wash only and some may require a special type of detergent.
  5. 5
    Spot clean tutus. Tutus should be spot cleaned only. Dab cool water onto the stain using a clean rag to remove it. After spot cleaning tutus, hang them up to air dry.
    • Consult your manufacturer's instructions before attempting to clean a tutu.
    • If a tutu is very stained, have it professionally dry cleaned. Tutus are very delicate and you should not risk damaging them by attempting to clean them yourself.
  6. 6
    Remove wrinkles from tutus. Tutus wrinkle over time. To remove wrinkles, fill a spray bottle with water and mix in a tablespoon of fabric softener. Shake the bottle well and then lightly mist the tutus. Always allow tutus to air dry. They should never be placed in the dryer.
    • Always refer to manufacturer's instructions before using any products on your tutus.

Method 3
Method 3 of 3:
Preventing Damage to Dance Supplies
Download Article

  1. 1
    Remove leotards as soon as possible. Have your kids remove their leotards right away after class. The less leotards are worn, the longer they'll last. Turn your children's leotards inside out after they remove them. This will allow any moisture from sweat to quickly evaporate.[12]
  2. 2
    Store tights properly to prevent damage. Tights should be stored in a plastic bag and then placed in a drawer in your home. This will prevent them from snagging on things like splintered wood. It will also protect them from household conditions, such as excessive heat or humidity.[13]
  3. 3
    Encourage your children to be gentle with their dance shoes. Always have your children put their dance shoes on slowly and carefully. Have them use their hands to put dance shoes on and take them off rather than using their feet only. Discourage children from ever wearing dance shoes outside of the studio, as this will prevent the shoes from being exposed to unnecessary damage.[14]
  4. 4
    Store dance shoes properly. Store your dance shoes in a cool, dry location in your home. For example, store them in a drawer in your basement or on the first floor that's not prone to excessive heat. Dance shoes should not be stored in a plastic bag, not even the bag they came in. This will prevent the shoes from breathing properly, resulting in premature damage.[15]
  5. 5
    Clip your children's fingers and toenails regularly. Make sure your children have neatly clipped finger and toenails. Long fingers and toenails can snag tights and leotards, resulting in tears. Make sure to clip your children's nails on a regular basis to increase the shelf life of dance supplies.[16]

Community Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left



      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      About This Article

      wikiHow Staff
      Co-authored by:
      1 votes - 100%
      Co-authors: 4
      Updated: October 30, 2020
      Views: 2,791
      Categories: Dance Wear
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 2,791 times.

      Did this article help you?