Once a kid exits the skating rink, ingrain the habit of wiping and drying off the blades with a cloth to preserve the blade. Wang also says that making sure that you don’t walk on regular surfaces like dirt or gravel will help to keep the blades sharp. “You should also dry them off for storage to help limit any rust or grime,” she notes.  Wiping off the inside of ice skates with a cloth is helpful too, as it can help stave off mold and mildew. Insoles should be swapped out regularly with fresh pairs to keep funky smells at bay and prevent bacteria growth. From time to time, you’ll also want to change the laces. Once they start to lose their elasticity or fray, that’s a good sign you should insert a new pair of laces.  Sharpening-wise, experts say to sharpen your skates every 10 or so hours spent on the ice on an indoor rink, and even more frequently when skating outdoors. Pay attention to your kids’ skating technique, and if they are struggling on the ice or failing on skills they could typically ace, they may be overdue for a sharpening. Indoor ice skating rinks often offer sharpening services for around $10 or less.