Everything You Need to Know About Canvas Ballet Shoes

How much do canvas ballet shoes cost?

Canvas ballet shoes cost anywhere between $15 to $30. You’ll see prices vary by brand with Grishko split-soles being at the top of the range and Theatricals or Sansha child slippers being the cheapest canvas shoes.

How to wash canvas ballet shoes?

Most young dancers are always curious about how to wash their canvas shoes. We recommend placing them in a lingerie bag and washing them in a cold, delicate cycle. Another option is to always leave them out to air dry after use. Keep in mind that the more you wash them, the faster they’ll fall apart. If you train 3 times a week or more, expect to replace your canvas shoes on a monthly basis to avoid bacteria buildup.

Can you put canvas ballet shoes in the washer?

Yes! You can easily wash your canvas ballet shoes in the washer. Just make sure to wash on a delicate cycle, in cold water. Do not tumble dry.

Can you put canvas ballet shoes in dryer?

We do not recommend using a dryer for your canvas ballet shoes. I’ve known several dancers who have had their shoes fall apart post dryer. Avoid using the dryer to dry your canvas ballet shoes.

How to shrink canvas ballet shoes?

It is not possible to shrink canvas ballet shoes. There may be a little bit of shrinkage from washing them and having the dancer walk around in them as they air dry, but it is not guaranteed. Your best bet if your canvas shoes are too big, either return them or wait for the dancer’s feet to grow. DO NOT put them in the dryer. This is a sure-fire way to ruin canvas ballet shoes.

How to wash canvas ballet shoes with leather soles?

There are two different ways to go about this.

  1. You can hand wash the non-leather portions of the shoes and air dry them. This takes more time and care.
  2. You can wash them just like normal canvas ballet shoes. Throw them in washer on a gentle cycle, in a lingerie bag, in cold water. Keep in mind, this will shorten the lifespan of the leather, and can cause the leather to shrink temporarily. Make sure to wear them before class once they’ve dried to stretch them out again, and we recommend using a leather treatment to prolong the life of the sole.

How to make canvas ballet shoes less slippery?

If your canvas ballet shoes are too slippery, then you can dampen the soles with a moist paper towel, rough the soles up with sandpaper a bit, or even use rosin if your school has it readily available.

How long do canvas ballet shoes last?

Most dancers are always curious how long canvas ballet slippers last. The answer depends on how frequently you dance. If you dance 3 times or more per week, then you’ll need to replace your canvas ballet shoes on a monthly basis.

How to dye canvas ballet shoes black?

There are several ways to dye canvas ballet shoes black. But the simplest solution, buy black canvas ballet shoes. If for some reason you’re not able to find any, then you can use one of these methods. Some dancers have used a black sharpie (don’t do this), we recommend using a black fabric marker. You can also use fabric dye. Fabric dye is a faster and more effective way to evenly color the canvas shoe. Just make sure to rinse the shoe after dying it to ensure the dye does not bleed or streak on the floor as you dance.

How to dye canvas ballet shoes with tea?

Tea dying shoes is very simple. To dye your canvas shoes with tea, start with a good strong tea brand (no dollar store tea). Then simply brew it in a large pot or container, and once it has steeped for about 20 minutes, you can proceed to drop the shoes in. The problem with this method is controlling the final color. If you need your shoes to be a certain color, then get them professionally dyed. As cool as it is to say you dyed your shoes with tea, we do not recommend this method.

How should canvas ballet shoes fit?

The fit of canvas ballet shos is very important. They should fit like a sock with little to no extra material. There should be little to no material if you pinch the toe area of the shoe, but it should also not be so tight that it causes your toes to curl or feet to bind.