The bottom of my practice shoes are very dirty and the suede is matted. I have tried giving them a good brushing, but it's just not working. Does anyone know how I can get the back to being like new shoes. Someone told me that there is a cleaner the you can use, but I am having trouble finding it. Thanks and keep dancing!!

Dance suppliers sell suede brushes for cleaning and roughening the soles of dance shoes. You need a much more severe brush than is used for normal every-day suede shoes.

You can clean the bottoms like you would any leather product - with soap and water.

Carefully, so as not to get it 'soaked', use a semi-wet sponge with soap (or 'saddle soap') and wipe the bottoms, until the sponge does not get up the dirt (you'll be surprised at how much comes off). Then, 'scuff' it with a shoe brush (sold for this purpose). Let it dry and then scuff it again.

Are you a social dancer? If so, you might 'need' it to be cleaned - but serious dancers who do 'smooth' or 'standard' WISH for smooth soles. You might consider that your technique might need a step up or so, to utilize these smoother soles. Ask your teacher...

I do have the suede brushes you are all talking about. I bought it when I got my first pair of shoes. However I have neglected my practice shoes and they have gotten to the point where they are so smooth, I think I could slip if I were on carpet. Being practice shoes, I wear them during teaching, but I do have my competition shoes that I keep in great shape. These are just the short heal teaching practice tie up shoes. We just did a demonstration at a movie theater for the new Havana Nights dirty dancing. Latin dancing in the lobby. I now have to clean another pair as they are covered in CiniMuck (popcorn oil) from the lobby floor. Thanks for the advice, and any more ideas, let me know.