How to Wash Vintage Accessories

Your vintage outfit wouldn't be complete without those all-important accessories. How you clean them largely depends on what material they are made from.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mild Detergent
• Warm Water
• White Vinegar
• White Vinegar
• leather cleaner and conditioner
• hat brush

1. Brush hats with a hat brush (available at most hat stores - look in the Yellow Pages under "Hats"). To remove blemishes from a felt hat, hold it over steam coming from boiling water in a teakettle and brush.

2. Dry clean silk scarves or hand-wash in warm water with a mild detergent.

3. Clean all leather accessories (such as purses and belts) with a leather cleaner and conditioner. Use a suede cleaner for suede, not a leather cleaner.

4. Tapestry and petit point purses should be cleaned with dry suds only. Put 1/8 cup mild detergent in two cups of water and beat with a whisk or beater until suds form. Using a toothbrush or clean sponge, spread suds only onto purse. Wipe with a damp sponge.

5. Fabric purses should be blotted clean with a clean cloth and cold water. Blot, do not rub.

6. Hand-wash gloves in a mild detergent such as Woolite in cool water.

7. To whiten vintage lace collars, put them in a solution of 2/3 cup white vinegar to two cups cool water and soak for about an hour.

Tips & Warnings

• Hats and purses with feathers, sequins, rhinestones, beads and other adornments should not be cleaned with water. If they need cleaning, try brushing with a light brush or take them to an antique preservationist. (Look in the Yellow Pages under "Antiques - Restoration and Preservation".)
• Be sure to test any fabric - such as that found on a purse - for color-fastness before cleaning with water.
• If an accessory seems on the verge of falling apart, do not attempt to clean it at home. Take it to an antique preservationist.