“Show Some
Love”
How to care for your vintage clothing and accessories
Congratulations on adding a stylish accent of vintage flavor
to your
wardrobe!
The key for you now is to learn how to take care of this piece of
history such that it will continue to last for decades to come. Museum relics
made their way into the future by being carefully preserved; and although
vintage articles are much newer than relics, they deserve a similar kind of
respect. Many items to be found at a vintage merchandise boutique were once
loved and deeply cherished by their former owners to remain in the quality they
are in today.
This article covers a variety of special tips and tricks for taking
care of your own vintage merchandise and keeping your favorite modern clothing
looking its best.
Let’s
start with the basics…
1. The material has a voice of its own
* Cotton, linen, polyester, and nylon are safe to wash normally.
* Silk and Rayon are safe
only
when gently hand washed
(if absolutely necessary).
* Wool typically needs to be dry-cleaned (to prevent
stretching).
* Fabrics and materials that we’d suggest using
special
care
when cleaning
include:
· Velvet
· Fur
· Leather
· Vinyl
· Synthesized plastics (like Plether)
· Clothing with special accents; trim and fancy beads,
for instance.
* Long exposure to direct
light will cause colors to fade and some fabrics to deteriorate.
* Storage in hot or damp places (such the attic or
basement) can also damage
your clothing.
2. Accents
with Attitude
*
Fasten
hooks and zippers before washing to prevent them from
snagging
* Look for weak seams or holes forming before tossing it
into a washing
machine
· If the clothing looks weak,
consider hand-washing it
3.
Washing Instructions
* Hanging clothing inside out before putting them into them
into a dirty
clothes pile will allow them to air-out and
remove some of the odors
(smoke for instance)
· If clothes are damp when
they are tossed into the hamper they can grow mildew (you can’t talk
about mildew without saying “EW”)
* The use of liquid
detergents is suggested.
Powder detergents can leave residue (another “EW”
situation);
· BEWARE! Spot treatment solutions can damage fragile materials.
It’s safest to test the spot treatment on a small area of the fabric first
before applying it to a stain.
* Listen to the
needs of the material:
· Natural Fibers =>
Wash Cold
· Synthetic Fibers =>
Wash Warm
· It’s safest to use the
delicate
setting
for aged vintage pieces.
4.
Slippery when wet
* Let
your clothes lie flat to dry; it will
prevent them from stretching.
· If you’re limited on space, laying them on a clean
sheet over the floor or table might be a temporary solution.
* Heat from dryers can cause shrinkage or damage to fragile
clothing.
5.
Miscellaneous
* Keep shoes and accessories
safe and free from dust.
* Pillowcases and
fabric bags work well for keeping materials in good
condition
· Avoid trapping material in a
plastic bag (natural fabrics in
particular need to breathe).
Remember: Bulk storage bins are prisons where vintage items
can be easily damaged or crushed.
* Keep vintage hats
in hatboxes to keep them from getting crushed or dusty.
· Dust can be removed from a vintage hat by using a soft
bristle dusting brush.
* Lavender with Rosemary and Mint are natural insect repellants.
* Take furs to a furrier to be conditioned and cleaned
yearly, in order to keep them in the best shape.
* If leather clothing gets wet, wipe it gently with a
towel before putting it away.
*
Store vintage jewelry with
care
· Leave room between the pieces when storing, or wrap
with tissue
paper to avoid them from getting scratched
· Avoid moisture at all costs! It can weaken the glue in rhinestone
jewelry and cause old metals to rust.
This
list of tips will help to keep your vintage merchandise and clothing looking like new for the next generations to come.
Thanks for your support!
If there are topics that
you would like us to write about,
leave a comment and we
will post about it!
Sources
"Caring
for your Vintage." The Vintage Vault: Vintage Clothing Botique. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.thevintagevault.com/page/page/4062663.htm>.
Kane,
Ashley. "Vintage Leather Care." About.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 19
Apr. 2012.
<http://vintageclothing.about.com/od/alterationcare/a/leather_care.htm>.
Michelle. "How
to Care for Vintage Clothes and Shoes." College Fashion. N.p., 17
Oct. 2009. Web. 19 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.collegefashion.net/college-life/how-to-care-for-vintage-clothes-and-shoes/>.
"Vintage
Clothing Care Tips!." Diva Sharon. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.divasharonsdivinevintage.com/Vintage-Clothing-Care-Tips->.
"Vintage
Jewelry Care: How to Clean & Care for Vintage & Antique Jewelry." Vintage
Jewelry Lane. N.p., 2009. Web. 19 Apr. 2012.
<http://vintagejewelrylane.com/information/costumejewelrycare.htm>.
