How to Look After Your Pleaser Shoes and Boots: The Ultimate Guide from Angel Clothing
How to Look After Your Pleaser Shoes and Boots: The Ultimate Guide from Angel Clothing
Whether you're performing floor work, kicks, slides, or sweeps, your Pleaser shoes are an investment that will see some action. To keep your bejeweled, glittery, matte, or leather heels looking their best, we've put together a comprehensive guide on how to care for them. With a little extra attention, your favorite pairs will stay with you through the years.
General Cleaning and Maintenance
Regular care is key to extending the life of your Pleaser boots.
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Preparation: First, remove the laces and insoles from your boots. This allows you to easily access and clean all areas of the shoe.
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Surface Cleaning: Use a soft-bristle brush to gently remove any loose dirt, dust, and debris. For more stubborn grime, a damp cloth with lukewarm water or a mild detergent can work wonders.
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Drying: After cleaning, always let your boots air dry naturally. Keep them away from direct heat sources like radiators or sunlight, as this can damage the materials.
Specific Material Care
Each material needs a slightly different approach to stay in top condition.
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Leather Boots: To prevent wrinkles and maintain flexibility, apply a suitable leather conditioner regularly. This keeps the material supple and healthy.
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Patent Leather Boots: Use a soft cloth and a specialized patent leather cleaner or conditioner to restore that iconic shine. For scuff marks, a pencil eraser can be surprisingly effective at rubbing them away!
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Vegan Boots: For general cleaning, a damp cloth with a mild detergent or water is usually all you need.
Protect Your Pleaser Dancing Shoes
Protecting your shoes from the get-go is the best way to keep them looking new.
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Soles: The soles of your heels can get worn down from all the amazing tricks you do. Use removable, sticky sole protectors to reduce scrapes and scuffs from dancing on stages. If a rubber sole starts to peel, you can use a strong adhesive and rubber bands to hold it in place while the glue sets.
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Heel Tips: The small tip at the bottom of the heel can wear down over time. For a quick and easy fix, order a pack of affordable heel caps to replace them.
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Platforms: Many dancers choose to cover the platform part of their shoes with dedicated protectors to prevent damage. You can even make your own by cutting up a sock and slipping the ankle part over your platforms!
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Waterproofing: Before their first use, spray your leather or suede shoes with a shoe protector spray to guard against any spills.
Proper Storage Tips
Your heels need care even when they're not on stage!
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Maintain Shape: Store your shoes with crinkled paper inside to help them keep their shape and absorb moisture. Shoe trees, especially those made from cedar, are also great for absorbing moisture and keeping your shoes smelling fresh.
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Find the Right Spot: Store your heels in a dark space at a moderate temperature. Avoid cold basements or humid environments, as these can cause the materials to wear out more quickly. Closets are perfect, or you can use a hanging shoe organizer or a shoe rack if space is limited.
By following these simple steps, you can ensure your favorite pair of Pleaser shoes stays in stunning condition, ready for your next performance. Remember to take your time unlacing and removing them after a long night, and avoid wearing the same pair two days in a row to allow them to recover their shape and air out.