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How to Wash Dance Tights, Pants, and Shoes

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Maintaining the quality of your dancewear is essential to ensure comfort, performance, and longevity. Whether it’s a customized dance uniform, dance dress with specialty fabrics, or shoes with suede soles, each type of dancewear requires its own care to ensure it stays in the best condition.

 

As a provider of high-quality dance gear at Sports Gear Swag, we understand the importance of taking care of your dance clothes to keep them looking fresh and performing well. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you care for your dancewear.

 

a dance team dancing in a dance studio

 

1. Dance Clothes

 

Dance costumes are usually the most delicate pieces in your dancewear collection. Sequins, beads, and other embellishments can easily be damaged if not properly cared for.

 

Step 1: Check the Care Label

 

Start by reading the care instructions on your dance costume’s label. Due to their intricate designs or fabrics, most costumes require special handling instructions. For instance, the care label for your dance tights may say that you hand wash them only and avoid dry cleaning.

 

Step 2: Hand Wash for Delicate Fabrics

 

Use lukewarm or cold water with a mild detergent made for delicates. Hand wash your dance costume to preserve any delicate fabrics or embellishments. Gently scrub any stained or soiled areas, being careful not to rub too hard.

 

Step 3: Use a Mesh Bag for Machine Washing (if applicable)

 

If the care label allows machine washing, put your dance costume in a mesh laundry bag to prevent it from snagging or tearing. Wash on the gentle cycle with cold water and a mild detergent.

 

Step 4: Air Dry

 

Never use a dryer after a machine wash or hand washing your dance costume. Instead, air dry it by laying it flat on a towel or hanging it up. For costumes with sequins or delicate details, lay them flat to avoid pressure on embellishments.

 

Stain Removal: If you have sweat stains on your dance costume, a mixture of baking soda and water may help. Apply the mixture gently and rinse before soaking your costume in detergent.

 

a dance team in front of a purple wall

 

2. Dance Pants & Tights

 

Dance pants, whether for ballet, contemporary, or jazz, studio pants are often made from stretchy materials like spandex or lycra. Whether you have spandex dance leggings or lycra dance shorts, these fabrics need to be treated with care to maintain their fit. More importantly for dance tights, which can be quite delicate fabrics, it's recommended to carefully follow manufacturer washing instructions to keep them fresh and ready for your next dance class!

 

Step 1: Check the Care Label

 

As with costumes, start by reading the care label. Many pants can be machine washed, but always check the instructions for specifics.

 

Step 2: Machine Wash on a Gentle Cycle

 

Place your pants in a mesh laundry bag to protect them during the wash. Set your washing machine to a gentle cycle with cold water to preserve the fabric's elasticity. Use a mild, fabric-safe detergent to prevent the fabric’s stretch from deteriorating.

 

Step 3: Avoid Fabric Softener

 

Fabric softeners can degrade the elasticity of your dance pants over time. To maintain the pants' stretch, use a gentle detergent and skip the softener.

 

Step 4: Air Dry

 

Never dry your dance pants in the dryer. The heat can shrink the fabric and damage its elasticity. Instead, lay your pants flat or hang them to remove excess water and air dry. This helps them keep their shape and fit.

 

More Than Just Laundry Bags: Mesh laundry bags aren’t just for washing. They also help protect delicate dance costumes, pants, and other essentials when stored in a crowded dance bag.

 

a pair of dance shoes hanging on a coat hangar

 

3. Dance Shoes

 

Dance shoes take a lot of wear and tear, especially after long practice sessions. Proper care will help extend their lifespan and keep them in good condition.

 

Step 1: Clean After Each Use

 

After each practice or performance, clean your dance shoes by wiping them down with a damp cloth. This helps remove dirt, sweat, and other residues that can damage the fabric or leather.

 

Step 2: Spot Clean When Needed

 

Use mild soap and warm water to spot-clean dance shoes that have accumulated more dirt and sweat. Be sure not to submerge the shoes fully in water, as the soak can damage the material and affect the fit.

 

Step 3: Use Leather Cleaner (For Leather Shoes)

 

If your dance shoes are made of leather, apply a small amount of leather cleaner to maintain the material. This helps prevent cracking and preserves the shoes' durability and appearance.

 

Step 4: Air Dry

 

Always let your shoes air dry naturally after cleaning them. Never put them in the dryer or expose them to direct heat sources like radiators, as the heat can warp the shoes and break down the material.

 

Step 5: Store Properly

 

Store your shoes in a dry, cool place after use. When not in use, use shoe trees or stuff them with newspaper to help maintain their shape. Most dancers also avoid leaving their shoes in their dance bags for long periods, as this can cause the shoes to lose shape or damage.

 

General Tips for All Dancewear

 

Different dance styles have different dance costume requirements. You can wear the right dance costumes for your dance style, but your performance can still be affected if you don’t take care of your costumes. Here are some general tips. 

 

  • Avoid Fabric Softener: It’s best to skip fabric softener when washing dancewear, as it can affect the fit and elasticity of fabrics like lycra and spandex.

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  • Store Properly: Always store your dancewear in a cool, dry place to prevent mildew and fabric deterioration.

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  • Freshen Up Between Washes: Use a fabric spray or odor eliminator to keep your gear smelling fresh without washing it after every use.

 

Proper Care, Optimal Performance

 

By following these simple care steps, you can ensure that your dance costumes, pants, and shoes last longer, look great, and perform their best when it’s time to hit the stage or the studio.

 

At Sports Gear Swag, we have a huge variety of dance apparel. From customizable dance jerseys to colorful dance skirts, we have everything you need to complete your look. Check your options today, and look good on the dance floor.

 

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