Costumes can include delicate fabrics to intricate embellishments, and costume requires attention to detail. Learning how to clean, store, and maintain dance costumes ensures that they remain in great condition and performance-ready for year to come. Costumes can include a wide range of textiles: spandex, chiffon, tulle, velvet, silk, sequins, rhinestones, and more. Each material has its own requirements, and treating them correctly prevents damage. Hand washing is usually the safest method for dance costumes. Machine washing on a delicate cycle is riskier but sometimes necessary for sturdier costumes. Not all stains require full washing and for small stains or marks, use spot cleaning techniques. Proper drying is important as washing, and never wring or twist dance costumes. This can stretch or distort the fabric, so instead gently press out excess water with a towel. Air drying is preferred and lay costumes flat on a clean, dry towel or hang them on padded hangers, ensuring they are fully supported and not stretched by gravity.