You’ve just picked up an amazing 1960s dress from your vintage store and you can’t wait to wear it out and show it off, but you don’t want to just chuck it in the washing machine and hope for the best.
Here’s some advice on how to care for your vintage clothing!
Less is more!
Repeated washing of clothing can damage the fibers of the item and make your clothing more susceptible to rips, tears, fraying or other damages. Spot cleaning is an easy way to maintain your vintage items without washing after each wear. Carpet cleaner is a favorite of ours to get out stains!
Turn your clothing inside out after wear to air them out without having to constantly wash them. Steaming the clothing after wear can also help remove some odor.
If you have especially delicate items, usually 1960s and older, hand-washing is a great option to ensure your item is staying intact. You can use a bathroom sink, a bin or a bathtub to soak clothing. Make sure if you are soaking more than one item that the colors are alike so you don’t accidentally stain anything!
Half-vinegar, half-water soaks can help get rid of that tough odor some vintage clothing has.
You don’t need to vigorously scrub at your item, but soaking it and lightly hand-washing it is great for delicate fabrics. If you have a delicate or gentle washing setting on your washing machine, that can also be used for items based on your judgement. Make sure to always air dry after washing by hand or washing in the machine!
If you’re concerned about your item, find a trusted dry cleaner that can help facilitate the process of cleaning fragile items.
Repair
Repairing clothing is part of maintaining your vintage clothing properly. Addressing small rips or tears right away can save you in the long run. Hand sewing is a quick and easy fix that anyone can learn. If you have a more severe issue that you don’t think you can solve yourself, a trusted tailor is there to help.
If you have older clothing that has the metal zipper, you can help keep the zipper intact by using graphite or Vaseline to make sure the zipper stays zipping smoothly.
Storing
Storing your clothing is also an important part of making sure your vintage clothing stays as pristine as possible. Dry, dark and dust-free are the three keys to helping your clothes stay protected. Damp environments and bright lights can affect the color and material of your items. Keeping your items on wooden or cloth-covered hangers is the best option. Metal hangers might leave rust or stretch marks.
If you want to go a little above and beyond for storing your clothes, there are some items you can invest in to store items. Garment boxes with acid-free tissue paper, underarm shields, shoe trees and boots shapers, moth traps and purse pillows are inexpensive ways to make sure your vintage is protected.
Written by Macy Berendsen