The brass brush is used to restore the nap of the suede sole on your dance shoes when it becomes smooth and slippery. The right technique takes only a few seconds: ensure the sole is dry, use short, light strokes in a single direction, starting from the center and working outwards, without touching the stitching or the upper. Brush when the sole begins to slip, not on every occasion, and never rub hard.
What exactly is the brass brush used for?
Dancing causes the suede nap to lie flat and collect dust, wax, and parquet residue. The surface becomes shiny, and your foot travels further than it should during pivots. The metal bristles of the brush lift the fibres and dislodge dirt: the suede regains its texture and, therefore, its grip.
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, softer than steel. Its bristles bite enough to work the suede without wearing it away as quickly as a steel brush. To learn in detail how suede grips and when it is truly worn out, see our guide on suede soles for dance shoes.
The technique, step by step
- Check that the sole is dry. Damp suede is difficult to brush and can be damaged. If your shoes have absorbed moisture, let them air-dry away from a radiator before touching them.
- Hold the shoe upside down, with the heel resting in your palm and the sole facing you. Stand over a bin or outdoors: the dust and fibres will fall away, not onto the dance floor.
- Brush in short strokes of a few centimetres, starting from the middle of the sole and working towards the edge, always in the same direction. Avoid quick back-and-forth motions, which wear the suede unevenly.
- Apply barely any pressure. The weight of the brush and a light touch are enough. You should see the nap stand up and change colour, not the fibres pull out.
- Work the ball of the foot area, where you pivot, then the toe. These are the areas that become dirty and smooth most quickly.
- Stop a few millimetres from the edge to avoid catching the stitching or the upper (satin, leather, sequins). A metal bristle on satin leaves a permanent mark.
- Tap the shoe to dislodge the dust, then run your hand over the sole: it should feel velvety and even.
Allow a few dozen seconds per shoe. If the sole remains smooth after this, it is probably worn through deeply: longer brushing will not save it and will only continue to thin it.
When to brush, and when to refrain
The right times
- When you feel that you are slipping more than usual on a floor you know.
- Before dancing on highly polished or unfamiliar parquet, after a few trial steps.
- After an evening when the sole has collected a lot of dust, once it is dry.
Times to avoid
- On a new sole that already grips too much: brushing lifts the nap even further and hinders pivots. Let it break in for a few sessions.
- On a damp or wet sole.
- Out of habit, several times a day: each brushing removes a little material.
If your problem is the opposite—a sole that grips too much—the brush is not the solution. See instead our guide on making your dance shoes more slippery.
Brass, steel or crepe: which brush for what?
| Brush type | Abrasiveness | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Brass bristles | Medium | Suede soles for dance shoes, regular maintenance |
| Steel bristles | Strong | Very dirty soles, to be used with great lightness |
| Crepe or rubber | Gentle | Suede or nubuck uppers, never for the sole alone |
| Nylon | Gentle | Dusting, cleaning the upper |
Whatever the model, check the flexibility of the bristles: they should bend under your finger. Bristles that are too stiff pull out the suede instead of lifting it.
Choosing and storing your brush properly
With or without a handle
Brushes with handles provide a better grip and more even strokes. Small flat brushes without handles fit more easily into a dance bag. Choose according to where you brush: at home or at the edge of the dance floor.
The case
Metal bristles prick and snag fabrics. Store the brush in a case or pouch, separate from your satin shoes and outfits.
Brush maintenance
After use, tap it to dislodge trapped fibres. Keep it dry: moisture dulls the bristles and can cause them to oxidise. Replace it when they are bent, flattened, or no longer scratch.
Safety
Always brush away from yourself, and keep it out of reach of young children. Do not use it on the dance floor: fibres and dust will fall to the floor.
The brush in overall maintenance
The brush only takes care of the sole. Storage, drying, upper care, and heel protection are detailed in our guide on maintaining your dance shoes. Our salsa shoes, tango shoes, and ballroom dance shoes with suede soles are brushed in the same way.
Frequently asked questions
In which direction should you brush a suede sole?
Brush in short strokes in a single direction, starting from the centre of the sole and working towards the edge. Avoid energetic back-and-forth motions, which wear the suede unevenly. The goal is to lift the nap, not to sand it.
Can you use a brass brush on the upper of the shoes?
No. Metal bristles mark satin, scratch leather, and snag sequins. For a suede or nubuck upper, use a crepe brush or a soft brush.
How often should you brush your dance shoes?
When the sole begins to slip more than usual, or before dancing on a highly polished floor. For regular practice, a quick brushing every few sessions is often enough. Brushing too much thins the suede unnecessarily.
My sole remains smooth after brushing, what should I do?
This is often a sign that the suede is worn through deeply or is very dirty. Check whether it has become thin or worn through under the ball of the foot. In this case, a cobbler can apply a new layer of suede, or you may need to consider a new pair.