How to Wash Vintage Clothing

Vintage clothing often doesn't include fabric care tags, leaving you to wonder how to wash these delicate duds. Your best bet is to hand-wash them. However - velvet, crepe, taffeta and most wool and silk items should be taken to a dry cleaners.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Mild Detergent
• Towels
• Stain Remover
• Rubber Or Latex Gloves
• padded hanger

1. Determine what fabric the item of clothing is made from. Consult your dry cleaner if in doubt.
2. Zip up any zippers before washing.
3. Spot check garments for color-fastness by wetting an inconspicuous corner of fabric with water and detergent.
4. Pre-treat stains with a fabric stain remover.
5. Make sure the sink is clean prior to filling it. Use cold water for natural fabrics, such as cotton, and warm water for synthetic fabrics, such as polyester.
6. Add a mild detergent (such as Woolite or Ivory Snow) to the water. Use one capful of liquid detergent or 1/4 cup of powdered soap per gallon of water.
7. Slip on rubber or latex gloves to protect your hands, then swish the water until the soap is dissolved.
8. Add the clothing to the sink and gently agitate with your hands for a few minutes.
9. Drain the water and refill the sink, rinsing soap from the garment as you do so.
10. Repeat if necessary until no soap remains in the clothing.
11. Hang the garment on padded hanger, lay it over a towel on a towel rack, or lay it flat to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Hang recently worn vintage items inside-out for awhile before you wash them to allow any perspiration to dry.
• Underarm stains from deodorant can be removed by using white vinegar or lemon juice dabbed on with a white towel.
• If you take your clothing to a dry cleaner, make sure that he or she has experience with vintage fabrics.
• Vintage fabrics are susceptible to fraying, tearing and unraveling during the washing process, so be extra careful.
• Do not store vintage items in a plastic bag. This may cause mildew.