Freestyle dancing

It's not always possible to keep your shoes smelling like the day you bought them, especially with the hours of practice causing you to sweat. If your shoes are starting to give your nose a major funk, this guide will provide helpful tips for how to get the smell out of dance shoes.

OBR2

Prevention

The best way to deodorize your dance shoes is to keep them smell-free from the start. Feet have more sweat glands than anywhere else on your body. When you are dancing, these sweat glands activate to keep you cool.  Normally, the sweat would dry up and cool you down, and the bacteria on the skin would begin to die off.  Unfortunately, while performing, your shoes trap that moisture and the bacteria multiplies.

  • Clean feet: This may seem obvious, but washing feet with deodorant soap and drying them well is the first step to sweeter smelling feet.
  • Change shoes: If you are dancing several times a week, it may benefit you to purchase an additional pair of shoes. One pair can air dry while the other is being used.
  • Tights/socks: A lot of dancers hate wearing tights. Wearing clean tights or socks can absorb the moisture and help prevent odor.
  • Dance shoes are only for studio/stage: You should only wear your dance shoes in the studio or on stage.

Remedies

  • Air dry:Make sure your shoes dry out thoroughly after each use. Look for bags that have an outer pocket made of netting for carrying your shoes home. It's really important to allow shoes to air out, as damp shoes allow the bacteria to continue to grow.
  • Baking Soda: Put some baking soda in your shoes. This will not damage the shoes, and will keep them clean and smelling fresher. The baking soda will also absorb the sweat and aid in drying shoes out.
  • Dryer sheets: Some dancers put dryer sheets in their shoes.
  • Alcohol: Quickly put into a spray bottle and spritz away. It will deodorize and kill the bacteria. Tea tree oil is a natural disinfectant and can be added to the alcohol.
  • Freeze the bacteria – Some people swear that putting shoes in a Ziploc bag and freezing them overnight kills the bacteria and therefore the smell.

Bella Diva Dance in Denver

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