How To Make Your Ballet Pointe Shoes Last Longer

It’s important for every ballerina to get properly prepared for the first pair of pointe shoes. This also means taking care of them on a daily basis if you want them to last for as long as necessary. Taking care of your ballet pointe shoes is pretty simple. When you have them sewn to your liking and have flexed the shank to fit your feet, the only thing to worry about is keeping them off the ground to avoid unnecessary wear and tear.

Sewing the elastic

If your shoes don’t come with the ribbon or elastic you need to make sure that your purchased elastic matches the shoe colour. Beginners are recommended to sew the elastic in a criss-cross manner and make sure that it’s at least half an inch thick for better support. It may vary from dancer to dancer where you place your elastic. It depends on the height of the instep, heel slippage of the shoe, overall comfort, etc. The elastic needs to stretch and feel secure. The elastic closest to the vamp needs to be angled back towards the heel whereas the one closest to the heel needs to be angled forward.

Storing pointe shoes

It’s unacceptable to store your ballet pointe shoes in a completely enclosed bag. You need to carry them to and from the class in a mesh-style tote that allows them to breathe. This is important because it prevents your shoes from exposure to any moisture or sweat which can be damaging. Carrying your shoes in such a bag can also help to reduce the smell coming from your pointe shoes after hours of working out.

Drying out your shoes

You need to keep your ballet pointe shoes somewhere warm, i.e. on a radiator or airing cupboard, to dry after they have been used. Feet can really sweat, this may reduce the life span of a pointe shoe making the box soft and weak. If you do long pointe classes, you need to change your shoes often. Drying them out may also make them wear and tear resistant. Before you hang them up to dry, you may put them on your feet to regain shape. A pointe shoe can take up to 24 hours to thoroughly dry out. If you dance on pointe every day you need to have more than one pair of ballet pointe shoes and change them often.

Cleaning pointe shoes

It’s a bad idea to use water to clean your pointe shoes because it can cause them to soften and wear out much more quickly. Also, you needn’t rub pointe shoes with abrasive brushes or cloths as this may remove the satin finish of your shoes. If you have some small smudges, you may like to try an ordinary eraser first. It's unlikely to remove the stain altogether but it may remove the worst of it. You can also add a little detergent and dab it on the stain. Or you can make up a paste with baking soda and a little water, spread it on the stain, let it dry and then wipe it off with a damp cloth.

Your ballet pointe shoes are an investment; taking good care of them can benefit you, your feet and your wallet.