Care guide
Storage
For delicate or older pieces, avoid hanging them year-round. Store them flat with acid-free tissue paper to support seams and fabric. Keep garments away from direct sunlight, heat, and damp conditions to prevent fading, yellowing, or mildew. Structured garments such as coats, jackets, and dresses do best on padded or fabric-covered hangers. More fragile pieces should be stored flat in breathable boxes or cotton garment bags.
Cleaning
Less is more when it comes to cleaning vintage clothing.
- Victorian & Edwardian pieces: Avoid washing fine silks or wools; instead, these do best when steamed. Handheld steamers for home use can be purchased very affordably online and will kill bacteria as well as refresh the fabric. Spot clean gently with distilled water and a soft cloth if needed. Sturdier cotton undergarments can be hand washed, rinsed well, reshaped, and air-dried flat or on padded hangers.
- 1920s–1940s pieces: Test for colourfastness before cleaning. Hand wash only if necessary, as early synthetics and crepe fabrics can shrink. Steaming is a safe option for refreshing and sanitising garments.
- 1950s–1970s pieces: More robust fabrics such as cotton blends, nylon, and polyester can usually be hand washed in cool water with a mild non-bio detergent. Rinse thoroughly, reshape, and air-dry flat or on padded hangers. Some synthetics (post-1960s) can be machine washed on a delicate cycle.
Stain Removal
Avoid modern stain removers and bleach, as these can weaken old fibres.
- For sweat marks: Hydrogen peroxide works well on white cottons. Alternatively, try a paste of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) and water.
- For oil-based stains: Lightly dust the area with cornstarch or talc, leave it to absorb, then gently brush away.
- For stronger fabrics: Pieces sturdy enough to be soaked overnight can be treated with OxiClean.