Hello everyone,
I started ballroom dancing 3 months ago, and I'm hooked! I practice as often as I can afford (which is about twice a week for an hour) and I feel I'm improving everyday, especially with the help of this website.
I've heard that professional dancers have to shave and condition their shoes daily. Is this something I should be doing as well? And if so, what exactly do I have to do? Thanks!

Hi angelica
I asume you;re talking about the soes of the shoes. These are made of material which has a slight roughness to it - enough to give you some grip, but also to allow you to swivel etc.
This surface has to be run over with a wire brush regularly to restore the 'nap' surface. With much use the surface becomes smoothed, maybe dusty or even gritty. All this can cause problems especially for top-level dancers.
you need a wire brush - easy to get them specialy designed for dance shoes. Also, you need to replace the soles and heels regularly (depends on use). Specialist dance shops sell replacement soles and heels.

Hi,
Thank you so much, this really helps! I had no idea I should do this to my shoes...
Angelica

Don't know if the rest of you do this but every so often after brushing up the nap I use a few drops of Neetsfoot Oil rubbed in to the soles with my fingers.

This is to conteract the drying of the leather caused by the dust picked up while dancing.

OB

Angelica. You can get away with a smallish wire brush. The ones sold for the job have the end of the wire bent into something like small hooks.Happy Dancing