How to Clean and Care for Canvas Ballet Shoes

Ballet is a dance of perfection. From the looks of the dancers to their skills, ballet is impeccable. Therefore, everything has to be perfect – the dancer’s confidence, skill, and outfit. Whether training or performing, ballet dancer knows the importance of caring for and maintaining their shoes. For your ballet shoes to look and feel their best, you must ensure they are always clean. Therefore, we will focus on the best way to clean canvas ballet shoes.

As the name implies, canvas ballet shoes are made from canvas. They’re usually a must-have for every ballet dancer. This is because they are convenient in that they are breathable, and you can wash them in a machine. Furthermore, the canvas is a stretchy material and will conform to any foot type. In addition, canvas ballet shoe break-in in little time.

They’re also soft and pliable, so you can feel the floor when you dance in them. That is advantageous because an awareness of the dance floor improves performance significantly. Moreover, canvas ballet shoes are cheap and available in several colors. You even have the option to dye them to match your outfit. Lastly, canvas material is the best for sole split ballet since it can adapt to any foot type.

For the above reasons, you can see why any ballet dancer would have canvas ballet shoes. So what is the best way to clean canvas ballet shoes? As seen above – they are breathable and machine washable. Let’s look at how to clean canvas ballet shoes below.

Step-by-step Guide To Cleaning Canvas Ballet Shoes

Method one: using a machine

This is the most convenient and best way to clean canvas ballet shoes.Here, you’ll need a lingerie or mesh bag, mild detergent, and a washing machine.

• Pour cold water into the washing machine.
• Add some mild detergent to the water. You must be careful not to use bleach or fabric softener.
• Set the washing machine on a delicate cycle.
• Put your canvas ballet shoes into the lingerie or mesh bag.
• Put the bag into the washing machine and start the cycle.
• When the cycle is done, take out the shoes from the bag.
• Put the shoes on a towel in a warm and dry place. This is necessary because you want to dry your shoes without direct sunlight. Direct sunlight will damage the color and texture of your shoes. You also don’t want to use a dryer because it will shrink the shoes.
• Leave the shoes to dry completely before using them again.
• You’re good to go!

Method two: spot cleaning

This is another method of how to clean canvas dance shoes. This method focuses on minor stains or when you don’t want to use a machine. You’ll need a dish soap or mild detergent.

• Pour cold water into a bucket.
• Add mild detergent to the bucket. Again, don’t use bleach or fabric softener.
• Soak the shoes into the mixture in the bucket. You can soak and remove a couple of times for some stains. You can use your hands to hit material against the material for more stubborn stains.
• Pour out the water in the bucket and add in a fresher one.
• Soak the shoes in fresh water to rinse them.
• Take the shoes out and place them on a towel in a warm and dry place.
• Leave the shoes to dry completely before wearing them again.
• You’re good to go!

As you will notice, as you wash your canvas dance shoes often, the color of your shoes will fade or get dull. However, you don’t have to worry because you can restore the color. The best way to restore your canvas ballet shoe color is to use a makeup foundation.

The makeup foundation must match the tone of the shoes. You’ll need a makeup sponge or cloth to dab the makeup around the shoe gently. Leave the makeup to set in, and you’re good to go!

Most canvas ballet shoes are light pink. Therefore you can use calamine lotion to restore the color of your shoes when it starts to dull. This is because calamine lotion is light pink too. Using a makeup sponge or cloth, dab the lotion all over the shoe and leave it to set in. Then you’re good to go!

Knowing and using the best ways to clean canvas ballet shoes is not enough to care for them. Other important factors when caring for and maintaining your canvas ballet shoes exist. To ensure that your canvas dance shoes look and feel their best, you must know how often to wash them. You must also know how to maintain them.

How Often Do You Need To Clean Canvas Shoes?

Generally, it would help if you cleaned your canvas shoes as often as you wear them. Where you wear your canvas shoes is another factor in your decision.

If you’re a seasonal dancer or use their canvas shoes occasionally, clean them seasonally. Once a season will do your shoes a lot of good if you’re in that category.

On the other hand, if you frequently use your canvas shoes, you may have to clean them weekly. You can clean them once or twice a week, depending on how often you wear them in a week.

The time before each cleaning will significantly reduce for both categories if you walk on dirty floors. You’ll have to clean them as often as they get dirty. That is usually not healthy for your shoes, so avoiding dirty floors is paramount.

How Can You Maintain Your Canvas Sneakers?

The best way to maintain your canvas shoes is to have more than one. Having only one would mean wearing it all the time. If you love canvas shoes, get an extra pair or two. When you have more than one pair, you can wear them alternatively. When you wear a pair today, switch to the other tomorrow. It will ensure that the pair you wear today has ample time to air out, leading to a longer lifetime.

In addition, you must always leave your wet canvas sneakers to dry. Wearing wet canvas sneakers is potentially harmful to you and the sneakers. Dry them away from direct sunlight, and do not use a dryer. The best way to dry them is in a warm, dry place. It would help to store your canvas shoes in a cool, dry place when you’re not using them.

Furthermore, you can sprinkle ½ teaspoon of baking soda in your canvas sneakers after use. That will keep them from smelling and ensure that they’re always fresh. You can also leave your canvas shoes to air dry after each use. This prevents them from becoming grimy. Therefore, air-drying your canvas keeps it fresh and reduces the need to wash them.

Another way to maintain your canvas sneakers is to use specialized cleaning products. White revivers, waterless foam cleaners, and water and stain protector sprays are all specialized cleaning products. If you use these products, test them on a small area of your sneakers first. This will ensure that the bulk of your shoe is free of adverse consequences.

Clean Canvas Ballet Shoes FAQs

1. Can I wash my canvas ballet shoes in a washing machine?

Yes, you can. Canvas ballet shoes are the only types that are breathable and machine washable. It’s perfectly safe to use a machine.

2. How do I dry my canvas sneakers after washing them?

Generally, anything that doesn’t involve direct sunlight or the dryer of your washing machine is safe. I recommend drying your shoes in a warm, dry place.

3. Does canvas shrink when wet?

Yes, it does. However, the canvas can quickly adapt back to the shape of your feet. So you have nothing to worry about.

4. Should I spot-clean or wash my canvas in a machine?

Both are safe and will depend on what you want. Machine washing is usually convenient and quick and is a go-to if you don’t have time.

5. Does canvas break in?

Canvas is generally soft and pliable. For that reason, it takes little time to break in.

If you found this article helpful or have more questions, I’ll be happy to see your comments below. Thank you!

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