A Studio Owner’s Guide to Decluttering Your Space
Got a growing mountain of mystery jazz shoes and old recital costumes collecting dust? You’re not alone—and good news: there’s an easy way to clean house and make a little extra cash.
Whether you’re clearing out a jam-packed lost and found or finally parting ways with that sparkle-heavy solo costume from 2017, the Canada Dances Classifieds section is here to help you sell your gear and give it a second life with another dancer.
Let’s get that storage room under control—and turn your studio’s forgotten finds and old recital costumes (Links to: What Should I Do with All My Old Dance Costumes and Shoes?) into studio funds.
Why Decluttering Is a Win for Dance Studios
We know—it’s hard to let go. But decluttering is one of the easiest ways to:
Create more space for new inventory or props
Avoid digging through piles of mismatched shoes
Help your dancers and their families score affordable gear
Recoup some of the original cost of old items
Plus, you’re contributing to sustainability by keeping dancewear in motion, not in the landfill.
What to Sell (You’ll Be Surprised!)
You probably have more sellable stuff than you think. Here's a quick list to get you started:
Costumes from past recitals or competitions
Shoes from your studio's shoe swap bin
Lost & found items that have been unclaimed for months
Unused merchandise or leftover stock
Old props, warmups, tights (in original packaging), and accessories
Pro Tip: If it’s still in good shape, clean, and could realistically hit the stage or class again—post it! LINKS HERE:
https://www.canadadances.ca/login?login_direct_url=/account/classifieds/newgroup
Make It a Team Effort
Hosting a studio clean-out day? Get your team or senior dancers involved. Assign someone to sort, another to take photos, and one to write listings.
You’ll be amazed how quickly it goes with a little help (and maybe a few snacks).
And if your studio parents are the super-organized type, this is their moment to shine.
Studio owners, remember this: your staff, parents, and dancers don’t own the studio—you do. It’s your business. But that doesn’t mean it should only serve you. When your community offers their time, make sure there’s something in it for them too. Compensating your team, whether through pay or other meaningful ways, is one of the top ways to run a positive and engaged studio. LINKS TO How an MBA Would Run a Dance School (Lifelong Dancer/MBA POV)
Tips to Make Your Listings Stand Out
You're not just posting stuff—you’re helping someone find exactly what they need. Follow these tips to get more eyeballs (and faster sales):
✨ Title it Right
“Child Size 8 Ballet Costume – Like New” beats “Dance Costume” every time.
✨ Be Honest and Clear
List sizes, condition, brand, and whether it’s from a performance or class.
✨ Show It Off
Good lighting and clutter-free backgrounds in your photos go a long way. Bonus points for sparkle close-ups!
✨ Add Tags and Choose the Right Category
Tags like "Recital tutu," "Adult tap shoes," or "Jazz costume" help shoppers find your listings.
For all our tips, make sure to check out How to Write a Classified Ad That Shines on Canada Dances.
Not Into Shipping? Go Local
Some items are bulky or fragile (hello, sequin-covered props). If you’d rather not ship, just list your location and write “local pickup only” in the description. That way, dancers in your area can swoop in and pick up with ease.
Give the Proceeds a Purpose
Selling old gear? Use the money for:
Studio upgrades
Snacks at recitals
Scholarships or class credits
A team pizza party 🍕
It’s a fun way to reinvest back into your studio.
Time to Clear the Clutter and Help Another Dancer Shine
One studio’s storage-room chaos is another dancer’s dream costume. Whether you're selling a nearly-new solo or the world's most-loved jazz shoes, you're helping make dance more affordable and accessible—and that's what community is all about.
So fire up the Canada Dances Classifieds, snap those pics, and start listing. Because somewhere out there, a dancer is waiting for exactly what’s sitting in your lost and found right now.
Ready to declutter?
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