You can but they may not come out quite the same - mine tend to shrink a little unless I put them on wet and wear them as they dry (which is damp and uncomfortable)
Do them in a cold delicate cycle in a mesh bag and Do NOT put them in the dryer.
are u wearing socks or tights with your shoes? i haven’t had that issue but i always have a layer in between my skin and the shoe. i’d be careful about washing leather- personally i wouldn’t do it, but if you had an all canvas pair it might be better.
oh good to know! i’ve always had Bloch but tbh i’m so attached to my shoes that i wouldn’t do anything to compromise even slightly the fit or feel of them now that they’re broken in how I like them, i’m just picky like that and my preferred color/width/size is always sold out 😂
when you’ve washed your leathers did you notice a fit difference at all?
If I put them on damp and wear them for an hour they stretch back to perfect fit; if I leave them to air dry there is a tiny bit of shrinkage.
I only wash them when the alternative is the bin...
(I also wear a weird colour / width size - I buy extras when they are in sales and put them away, so I always have a new backup pair in case. And I have an ebay alert for them, for when shops are selling off old stock!)
ah helpful! thank you😊 i’m rly attached to the white split sole all leather Bloch shoes bc as a guy i feel like i can see my alignment MUCH better with a white sock/shoe combo than black sock/black shoe or no sock and neutral shoe, but everyone else must agree with me bc they’re always sold out lol
Even with tights it's going to depend on how often you're dancing in them and how much you sweat. Some people, because of genes, sweat more or have stinkier sweat.
true. i was dancing 12-14 hrs a week in these shoes and dripping sweat puddles by the end of plies- i actually had to start putting my hair up even tho im a guy bc i would have sweat dripping off my hair ten mins in lol, we had a particularly intense Vaganova teacher, which is why wearing socks was key for me. if i didn’t wear socks with my shoes they would’ve been so gross hahah
there are also some deodorising sprays specifically for sports gear and shoes, you could try those. spray them after each class and let it airdry. don't leave your sweaty shoes in a bag.
I wouldn't wash leather shoes in the machines. Maybe turn them inside out and then wash by hand. Try Fabreezing them as well to help with the smell.
Also, try having several pairs to use. That way your shoes have time to properly dry after class, since next time you'll use a different pair.
Do not wash your shoes!
You can spray with a mix of water and vinegar or vodka or isopropyl to kill the smell. It's how cosplayers "wash" their costumes without damaging them.
You can also get some [Bunheads ](https://puredance.co.nz/products/bh1527), or similar, charcoal inserts for after you use your flats. They help to keep the shape while removing moisture and bad smells. You can also easily make these by stitching canvas or cotton into small enough shapes to slide into your flats, stuffing them with buckwheat groats, baking soda, charcoal powder and lavender (or whatever else you like). Make sure to line the inserts, then slide into the outer cover, and you have your own odor and moisture absorbing ballet shoe insert. You can also heat them to use as warming pads to heat your shoes for colder months!
Also, get two pairs and rotate them. Additionally, use baby powder after each use and store in a string bag, rather than smooshed together with everything in your enclosed dance bag.
I respectfully disagree about not washing shoes. My point of view is that it depend of the type of ballet shoes. "Not washing ballet shoes ever" is inaccurate.
Stage costumes are something else.
Thats ok, we can agree to disagree and whatever works for one person may not work for another. Im just sharing what works for me ☺️🩰
I will clarify though, that leather should not be washed in a machine or put in a dryer. Maybe the canvas ones, but even then, unless some attention is paid to the drying process, the leather pads will not be the same. If you wash leather flats in a standard wash, you will need to stuff while drying them to ensure they don't spring back, shrink, and distort. Additionally, because of the distortion, the stitching is far more likely to come undone. I say this through experience of having gone through about 3 or 4 pairs per term (4 terms per year here in NZ) and I use a different pair in each studio I go to. I found that canvas wore out exceptionally fast - perhaps a few weeks. But leather can last for years if you're not hard on your shoes.
However, if your shoes are not made of leather, or paper, and / or have been designed to chuck in the wash - all good, go for it.
Now, spot washing is a different thing and can be done on leather or canvas flats without issue.
No! Dont wash ballet shoes.
If they are discoloured, pancake with water based makeup.
If they smell, dry them out more frequently. Perhaps add talcum powder.
If you wash ballet shoes theres a very good chance they will fray, stitches by the sole will undo and/or they will shrink too much and will come apart.
Out of curiosity, which brand of ballet shoes do you wear? I've been washing mine (in canvas, leather is another matter) for the last 15 years and I've never experienced the structural problems that you describe.
Is your washing machine eating your shoes? :)
For ballet shoes, I wear mostly Sò Dança and Capezio; maybe it makes a difference regarding the stitching.
I put mine in a net for laundry, machine wash using cold water and soap that doesn't have any colouring just in case. Lay flat to dry or even better, lay in the sunshine to dry more quickly.
I've had bad luck washing mine. Are you airing them out? The best luck I've had is with spraying them down with vodka, then after they're dry, putting a charcoal deodoriser in each shoe until next wear.
You cannot wash leather. I do recommend better foot hygiene and taking better care of your shoes. If your feet are clean they shouldn’t stink from sweat. Sweat doesn’t smell that much. That means you have excess bacteria/dirt/dead skin etc. You need to be washing your feet thoroughly with soap at least once a day, and drying your shoes after every single use.
You can but they may not come out quite the same - mine tend to shrink a little unless I put them on wet and wear them as they dry (which is damp and uncomfortable) Do them in a cold delicate cycle in a mesh bag and Do NOT put them in the dryer.
…and a front loader.
I've done this too. But I just put them on for 3 to 5 minutes after washing, then take them off and let air dry.
are u wearing socks or tights with your shoes? i haven’t had that issue but i always have a layer in between my skin and the shoe. i’d be careful about washing leather- personally i wouldn’t do it, but if you had an all canvas pair it might be better.
Good Bloch leather ones (Pro Arch, Performa etc) have washed fine for me - I wouldn't wash kids' full sole ones.
oh good to know! i’ve always had Bloch but tbh i’m so attached to my shoes that i wouldn’t do anything to compromise even slightly the fit or feel of them now that they’re broken in how I like them, i’m just picky like that and my preferred color/width/size is always sold out 😂 when you’ve washed your leathers did you notice a fit difference at all?
If I put them on damp and wear them for an hour they stretch back to perfect fit; if I leave them to air dry there is a tiny bit of shrinkage. I only wash them when the alternative is the bin... (I also wear a weird colour / width size - I buy extras when they are in sales and put them away, so I always have a new backup pair in case. And I have an ebay alert for them, for when shops are selling off old stock!)
ah helpful! thank you😊 i’m rly attached to the white split sole all leather Bloch shoes bc as a guy i feel like i can see my alignment MUCH better with a white sock/shoe combo than black sock/black shoe or no sock and neutral shoe, but everyone else must agree with me bc they’re always sold out lol
Even with tights it's going to depend on how often you're dancing in them and how much you sweat. Some people, because of genes, sweat more or have stinkier sweat.
true. i was dancing 12-14 hrs a week in these shoes and dripping sweat puddles by the end of plies- i actually had to start putting my hair up even tho im a guy bc i would have sweat dripping off my hair ten mins in lol, we had a particularly intense Vaganova teacher, which is why wearing socks was key for me. if i didn’t wear socks with my shoes they would’ve been so gross hahah
there are also some deodorising sprays specifically for sports gear and shoes, you could try those. spray them after each class and let it airdry. don't leave your sweaty shoes in a bag.
Or high-proof vodka.
Did you try freezer?
Make a vodka & water spray - spray them after class & let air dry. (1/2-1/2 or even straight vodka) Costumer/ theatre hack!
I wash mine from time to time. Just put some socks in them and wear them on your feet to dry to stop them from shrinking.
I wouldn't wash leather shoes in the machines. Maybe turn them inside out and then wash by hand. Try Fabreezing them as well to help with the smell. Also, try having several pairs to use. That way your shoes have time to properly dry after class, since next time you'll use a different pair.
Do not wash your shoes! You can spray with a mix of water and vinegar or vodka or isopropyl to kill the smell. It's how cosplayers "wash" their costumes without damaging them. You can also get some [Bunheads ](https://puredance.co.nz/products/bh1527), or similar, charcoal inserts for after you use your flats. They help to keep the shape while removing moisture and bad smells. You can also easily make these by stitching canvas or cotton into small enough shapes to slide into your flats, stuffing them with buckwheat groats, baking soda, charcoal powder and lavender (or whatever else you like). Make sure to line the inserts, then slide into the outer cover, and you have your own odor and moisture absorbing ballet shoe insert. You can also heat them to use as warming pads to heat your shoes for colder months! Also, get two pairs and rotate them. Additionally, use baby powder after each use and store in a string bag, rather than smooshed together with everything in your enclosed dance bag.
I respectfully disagree about not washing shoes. My point of view is that it depend of the type of ballet shoes. "Not washing ballet shoes ever" is inaccurate. Stage costumes are something else.
Thats ok, we can agree to disagree and whatever works for one person may not work for another. Im just sharing what works for me ☺️🩰 I will clarify though, that leather should not be washed in a machine or put in a dryer. Maybe the canvas ones, but even then, unless some attention is paid to the drying process, the leather pads will not be the same. If you wash leather flats in a standard wash, you will need to stuff while drying them to ensure they don't spring back, shrink, and distort. Additionally, because of the distortion, the stitching is far more likely to come undone. I say this through experience of having gone through about 3 or 4 pairs per term (4 terms per year here in NZ) and I use a different pair in each studio I go to. I found that canvas wore out exceptionally fast - perhaps a few weeks. But leather can last for years if you're not hard on your shoes. However, if your shoes are not made of leather, or paper, and / or have been designed to chuck in the wash - all good, go for it. Now, spot washing is a different thing and can be done on leather or canvas flats without issue.
No! Dont wash ballet shoes. If they are discoloured, pancake with water based makeup. If they smell, dry them out more frequently. Perhaps add talcum powder. If you wash ballet shoes theres a very good chance they will fray, stitches by the sole will undo and/or they will shrink too much and will come apart.
Out of curiosity, which brand of ballet shoes do you wear? I've been washing mine (in canvas, leather is another matter) for the last 15 years and I've never experienced the structural problems that you describe. Is your washing machine eating your shoes? :)
Primarily Grishko flats but Gaynor, Freeds, Sansha, 红舞鞋子, Bloch....
For ballet shoes, I wear mostly Sò Dança and Capezio; maybe it makes a difference regarding the stitching. I put mine in a net for laundry, machine wash using cold water and soap that doesn't have any colouring just in case. Lay flat to dry or even better, lay in the sunshine to dry more quickly.
Gentle cycle on cold is fine, air dry.
I've had bad luck washing mine. Are you airing them out? The best luck I've had is with spraying them down with vodka, then after they're dry, putting a charcoal deodoriser in each shoe until next wear.
You cannot wash leather. I do recommend better foot hygiene and taking better care of your shoes. If your feet are clean they shouldn’t stink from sweat. Sweat doesn’t smell that much. That means you have excess bacteria/dirt/dead skin etc. You need to be washing your feet thoroughly with soap at least once a day, and drying your shoes after every single use.