Properly caring for your clothing is key to helping it last. Here’s a concise guide to help you preserve your vintage wardrobe.
Hand Washing
Preparation: Fasten zippers and hooks. Remove metal components if possible to prevent rusting.
Cleaning: Fill a basin with lukewarm water and add a gentle, pH-neutral detergent (I like to use a combination of Dr. Bronner’s and Napisan).
Soaking: Submerge the garment and gently swish it around. Soak for 15-30 minutes. Check for color bleeding within the first few minutes.
Rinsing: Rinse thoroughly until all detergent is removed. Avoid wringing or twisting.
Drying: Remove excess water by rolling the garment in a clean towel. Lay flat on a dry towel to air dry, gently reshaping it.
Storage
Support Shape: Use tissue paper to stuff sleeves, bodices, etc., for very delicate or very old garments (Edwardian or earlier).
Avoid Hanging: Fold and store in wardrobe boxes or breathable garment bags to prevent stretching or misshaping.
Steam Cleaning: Invest in a steamer to clean effectively and remove bacteria and viruses.
Specific fabrics
Avoid hand washing garments with sequins that date from the 1950s or earlier.
Dry clean crepe-textured rayon to avoid shrinkage. Plain weave rayons are usually washable in cool water.
Newer textiles are generally easier to clean. Lots of 1970s synthetic fabrics are machine washable. Use a gentle washing machine cycle but proceed with caution. Avoid dryers to extend garment life, though occasional machine washing is acceptable.