Understanding the Traction of Apolla Performance Socks
Apolla Shocks have a patented refreshable grip layer on the bottom. During the first few wears (the "break-in" period), a small amount of that adhesive can transfer to your floor. This is the same break-in that adjusts the grip to your personal level. A small percentage of dancers see it, and on most surfaces it clears with the right approach.
Before the first wear (the easiest fix):
Toss your new Apolla Shocks in the wash before you wear them. This rinses off the surface tack that's most likely to transfer. Mesh bag, cold or warm water, gentle cycle, mild detergent. No fabric softener, no bleach. Low tumble dry or hang dry.
If you see residue, do NOT pre-clean with another product
This is the most important part of this article. Several common household cleaners actively make adhesive residue worse, or damage the floor underneath:
- Murphy's Oil Soap, Pine-Sol, oil-based cleaners, "nourishing" polishes: Oils re-soften the residue and spread one small spot into a wider, slippery film.
- Magic Eraser or any abrasive scrub pad: Strips the finish off marley and sealed wood, and changes the floor's grip level for dancers.
- Ammonia (glass cleaner, many multi-surface sprays): Leaves a slippery film on dance flooring and degrades vinyl over time.
- Goo Gone, Goof Off, acetone, lacquer thinner: Can pull color and finish off marley vinyl and haze polyurethane on sealed wood.
- Bleach: Discolors and strips finish on every flooring type.
- White vinegar: Acidic (pH ~2.5). Stagestep advises against it on marley vinyl, and the National Wood Flooring Association advises against it on sealed wood. Repeated use dulls finishes and can void your wood-floor warranty.
If a wrong cleaner has already touched the spot, rinse with clean water on a microfiber cloth, let it dry, then start the steps below.
How to clean it (start gentle, escalate only if needed)
Always work on a small area first. Use a fresh microfiber cloth.
- Lift, don't scrub. Gently peel any tacky bits with your fingernail or the edge of a plastic card (an old gift card works well).
- Warm water on microfiber. Wipe the area, then buff dry with a second microfiber. This is enough for most cases.
- One drop of mild dish soap in warm water. If residue lingers, wipe gently, then rinse with a clean damp microfiber.
- Your floor manufacturer's recommended cleaner. If residue is still there: marley/vinyl dance flooring (Stagestep Wipeout Plus, Rosco All Purpose Floor Cleaner, or your studio's approved product); sealed hardwood (Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner or the product named by your floor's manufacturer); laminate or LVP (a laminate-safe spray cleaner with no pooled water).
Spot-test first, every time:
Floor finishes vary even within the same category. Pick a hidden patch of the same floor, wipe clean, apply cleaner to a corner of a microfiber cloth (never straight to the floor), rub a small area, wait a few hours, and check for dulling, color change, softness, or stickiness underfoot before treating the rest.
A note for spin spots, turning discs, and DancinDisc users
If you dance on a DancinDisc, Pirouette Master, or another turning disc, please use a non-traction Apolla Shock with these tools. The goal of a spin disc or turning board is to practice turns, and the disc often already provides the right amount of grip for turn practice. Most spin discs (including DancinDisc) use a marley top surface, so a traction sock can concentrate extra grip and residue on a small area that does not need it.
For cleaning the disc itself, follow the manufacturer's published care guidance first. If they don't publish guidance, default to the marley rules above: warm water on microfiber, no vinegar, no oils, no abrasives.
Floor-safety note:
Floor and finish compatibility varies even within the same category. Marley, sealed wood, laminate, painted concrete, epoxy, luxury vinyl, and turning discs all behave differently, and cleaners interact with each one in a different way. The floor or tool manufacturer, studio owner, or facility manager is the final authority on what is safe for that surface. Always spot-test first in a hidden area and follow that surface's care instructions. Apolla cannot guarantee results on every surface and cannot take responsibility for floor or tool damage caused by unsupported cleaners, refreshers, failure to spot-test, or use outside our care guidance (see more at https://www.apollaperformance.com/pages/how-to-wear).
Email hello@apollaperformance.com with a photo of the residue and your floor type. We'll walk you through the right next step. Free returns & exchanges, and we'll always help troubleshoot.
