5 Easy steps to properly stretch ballet shoes
1. Wetting the shoes before stretching
First things first, before stretching your ballet shoes, you must wet them with cold water. This will make the fabric or material more malleable and ready for stretching. You can apply water using a spray bottle, damp cloth, or by soaking it in a bucket. Make sure that the water is not too hot to avoid ruining the shoe material or fabric.
Use a shoe stretcher to stretch the shoes
Shoe stretchers are helpful tools for stretching a pair of ballet shoes. It works by applying pressure on the interior of the shoes to expand it. You can purchase shoe stretchers from a dance store or online retailers like Amazon. Place the shoe stretcher inside the wet shoes and adjust the pressure to your preferred stretching level.
Stuff the shoes with towels or socks
If you don’t have a shoe stretcher, you can still stretch your ballet shoes by using towels or socks. After wetting the shoes, stuff them with towels or socks until the shoes are tightly packed. The towels/socks will expand inside the shoe, which will help stretch the material or fabric. Leave the towels/socks inside the shoes until they dry up to achieve the desired stretching level.
Treat stubborn spots with rubbing alcohol
If you notice specific areas of the shoes that are more challenging to stretch, you can apply rubbing alcohol to the spot with a cotton ball. Rubbing alcohol can help soften and make the area more malleable, allowing for an easier stretch.
Allow the shoes to dry naturally
After stretching your ballet shoes, allow them to dry naturally by air-drying them. Refrain from using a blow dryer or any other drying tool as this may warp the fabric or material of the shoes. Ensure that the shoes are entirely dry before using them for your dance activities.
Final thoughts
Stretching your ballet shoes can be a time-consuming process, but it is a necessary part of maintaining the shoes’ shape and structure. Make sure to follow these five steps to ensure that you stretch your ballet shoes properly without damaging them.
