If your child enjoys ballet lessons, they may begin practicing the pointe technique. As a result, they'll need new shoes, which have specific maintenance needs. The following guide explains how you can keep these shoes in excellent condition so that they can support your child's feet. 

A Guide to Caring for Pointe Shoes

1. Air Them Out

Shoes get sweaty during ballet lessons, so leaving them in a plastic bag may encourage mold growth. If they're consistently moist, they also tend to go soft, losing the strength and support that dancers need during classes. Put the shoes on a shelf or in a specially designed bag made of aerated fabric. 

2. Avoid Outdoor Use

Pointe shoes are only designed for use during the studio. If your child wears them outside of ballet lessons, the material may become wet or dirty and eventually break down. Have your child put them on at the studio just before class begins, and take them off before leaving. 

3. Don't Wash Them

These shoes are not designed to get wet, so avoid putting them in a washing machine or hand-washing them. If there's a blemish on the fabric that you want to cover up, you can dust the area with talcum powder or apply a pointe shoe paint. 

4. Apply Hardener

Once the shoe is broken in, you can begin applying a pointe shoe hardener. When the shoe is dry, apply a thin coat to the insole and inside the block. This maintenance helps create a waterproof barrier so that the shoe stays stiff for longer. Just do this task once for each shoe. 

5. Replace Them Frequently

Your child's feet need a lot of support while they're practicing ballet. Therefore, it's important to replace the shoes as soon as they begin to show signs of deterioration. Depending on how much your child dances, they may need to replace their shoes every three weeks. Some telltale signs of wear and tear include soft spots or asymmetries.

Once you have the right equipment, sign your young one up for ballet lessons at Dance Evolutions, Inc., in Casper, WY. Whether your child is an expert or a beginning, this studio offers various classes to help them thrive. Their talented staff offers group, virtual, and private dance lessons. Start with a free trial class on their website, or call (307) 237-3906 to learn more about how they can help.