How to Care for Rhinestone & Fringe Dance Costumes

A rhinestone competition dress or fringe Latin gown is a significant investment. With proper care, a quality costume can last years and multiple competition seasons. Without it, rhinestones fall, fringe tangles, and fabric degrades far faster than it should. This guide covers everything you need to know to keep your dance costumes looking stage-ready.

Washing Rhinestone & Fringe Costumes

Never machine wash rhinestone, fringe, or heavily embellished costumes. The agitation of a washing machine will loosen rhinestone adhesive, tangle fringe, and damage delicate embellishments beyond repair.

Spot Cleaning (Preferred Method)

For most post-performance care, spot cleaning is all you need:

Use a clean, damp cloth with a small amount of mild detergent.
Gently dab (never rub) the soiled area.
Follow with a clean damp cloth to remove detergent residue.
Allow to air dry completely before storing.

Hand Washing (When Necessary)

If the costume requires a full wash:

Fill a clean basin with cool water and a small amount of gentle detergent (Woolite or similar).
Submerge the costume and gently agitate by hand — do not wring, twist, or scrub.
Rinse thoroughly in cool water until all detergent is removed.
Gently press (never wring) excess water out by rolling the costume in a clean towel.
Hang or lay flat to dry immediately.

What to Avoid

Hot water — it loosens rhinestone adhesive and can shrink stretch fabrics.
Harsh detergents or bleach — they degrade fabric and dull rhinestone sparkle.
Dry cleaning solvents — many are incompatible with rhinestone adhesives and stretch fabrics.
Wringing or twisting — it distorts the fabric and stresses embellishments.

Drying & Hanging

Always air dry. Never put a rhinestone or fringe costume in a dryer — heat loosens adhesive and can melt synthetic embellishments.
Hang immediately after washing to prevent wrinkles setting in the fabric.
Use a padded hanger — wire hangers can distort the shoulder area of fitted costumes.
Dry away from direct sunlight. UV exposure fades fabric color and can yellow clear rhinestones over time.
Ensure complete dryness before storing. Storing a damp costume encourages mold and mildew, which permanently damages fabric and embellishments.

Rhinestone Maintenance

Rhinestones are the most high-maintenance element of a competition costume — but with the right habits, you can keep them looking flawless.

After Every Wear

Inspect the costume under good lighting for any loose or missing stones.
Re-glue any loose stones immediately — a stone that is slightly loose will fall off at the worst possible moment if not secured.
Use E6000 adhesive or a dedicated rhinestone glue for repairs. Apply a tiny amount with a toothpick, press the stone firmly, and allow to cure for 24 hours before wearing.

Keeping Rhinestones Sparkling

Gently wipe rhinestones with a soft, dry cloth after each wear to remove fingerprints and body oils that dull their sparkle.
Avoid applying hairspray, perfume, or body lotion directly onto rhinestoned areas — these products coat the stones and reduce their reflectivity.
For a deeper clean, use a soft toothbrush dipped in cool water to gently scrub around stones. Dry immediately with a soft cloth.

Emergency Stone Replacement

Always keep a small supply of spare rhinestones in the same size and color as your costume. Before any competition, check your emergency kit includes: rhinestone glue, spare stones in your costume's colors, and a toothpick for precise application.

Fringe Care

Fringe is beautiful on the dance floor and notoriously difficult to maintain. These habits will keep your fringe looking clean and tangle-free.

After Every Wear

Gently run your fingers through the fringe to separate any strands that have tangled during performance.
Hang the costume immediately so fringe hangs freely and gravity helps it straighten.
Never fold or compress fringe — it creates permanent kinks that are very difficult to remove.

Detangling Fringe

Work from the bottom of the fringe upward, separating strands gently with your fingers.
For stubborn tangles, use a wide-tooth comb and work slowly from the tip upward.
A light mist of water can help loosen tangles in fabric fringe — allow to dry hanging freely.

Storing Fringe Costumes

Always store fringe costumes hanging, never folded.
Use a garment bag long enough that the fringe hangs freely without bunching at the bottom.
Never store anything on top of or pressing against a fringe costume.

Sequin & Beaded Costumes

Turn inside out before hand washing to protect sequin surfaces.
Never iron directly on sequins — they will melt. If steaming is needed, use a garment steamer held several inches away from the fabric.
Check for loose sequins after each wear and secure with a small amount of fabric glue or a few hand stitches.
Store flat or hanging — never fold sequin fabric, as fold lines can permanently crease the sequins.

Storage

How you store your costumes between competitions is as important as how you care for them after wearing.

Best Practices

Use breathable garment bags — fabric garment bags allow air circulation and prevent moisture buildup. Avoid plastic bags, which trap moisture and can cause yellowing.
Store hanging, not folded. Folding creates permanent creases in embellished fabrics and compresses fringe.
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and humidity. Avoid attics (too hot) and basements (too damp).
Keep costumes separate. Rhinestones and embellishments can snag on other garments. Store each costume in its own bag.
Stuff the bodice lightly with acid-free tissue paper to help the costume hold its shape during long-term storage.

Dance Shoe Care

Suede Soles

Brush after every use with a suede brush to restore the nap and maintain grip performance. Brush in one direction.
Never wear outside. Even a short walk on pavement destroys suede sole performance.
Store in a dust bag to protect the suede from dust and debris between uses.
Dry completely before storing — damp suede develops mold and loses its texture.

Uppers & Straps

Wipe satin or fabric uppers with a slightly damp cloth after each use to remove sweat and body oils.
Allow to air dry completely before storing.
Stuff shoes lightly with tissue paper to help them hold their shape during storage.