Dry Your Pointe Shoes Thoroughly
This is one of the most important things you can do to look after your pointe shoes! Most pointe shoes are made from natural materials and are designed to mould to your foot as you sweat, causing them to breakdown over time. Make sure you place them somewhere they can dry naturally and thoroughly as soon as you’ve finished wearing them – your dance bag is not the place, neither are plastic bags. The average pointe shoes should be wearable anywhere from 10 – 20 hours with proper care.
Keep Your Pointe Shoes Away From Household Pets
You love your new pointe shoes, and so will your dog. Animals are attracted to the odor of the shoes and the glue paste that makes the shoe hard. Hang your pointe shoes in a place that household animals cannot reach.
Do Not Attempt to Wash Pointe Shoes
As annoying as scuff marks can be, pointe shoes cannot be washed by hand or in a washing machine. If you want your shoes to look “new”, you can pan-cake them or use Pointe People pointe shoe paint on the outside of the shoes. Keep in mind, both of these techniques will give your shoes a matte finish.
Rotate Pairs of Pointe Shoes
Pointe shoes generally last between 10 to 20 hours depending on the style of shoe and how they are worn. If you’re doing pointe work more than 2-3 hours per week, it’s recommended that you own at least two pairs of pointe shoe at all times. Each pair should not be worn more than 2 consecutive hours and you should alternate pairs of shoe regularly to allow them to fully dry out.
Apply Pointe Shoe Hardener
To prolong the life of your shoes, a thin coat of shellac or pointe shoe hardener like Jet Glue can be applied to the inside of the block and insole to resist any further absorption of moisture. Keep in mind, hardeners should only be used when your shoes are dry and “broken in” to your satisfaction.
Replace Your Pointe Shoes Regularly
Your shoes might be more comfortable after you’ve broken them in, but there is big difference between broken in and a “dead” shoe. Wearing dead or ill-fitting shoes can cause bruising to the toenails, abrasions and in some cases serious injury. If you’re concerned with the fit of your pointe shoe speak to your teacher right away.
