Vintage clothing adds a touch of timeless style and history to your wardrobe. But those delicate fabrics and potential wear-and-tear require special care when it comes to cleaning. Fear not, fellow vintage enthusiast! With a few simple steps, you can keep your favorite finds looking fresh for years to come.

Before You Begin: Assess and Identify

• Check the label: Some vintage garments may still have care instructions sewn in. This is a goldmine of information, letting you know if the piece is machine washable, dry clean only, or requires hand-washing.
• Fabric sleuthing: Identify the fabric content of your garment. This will guide the cleaning process since materials like silk or rayon require more delicate handling than cotton or polyester. A quick internet search for “vintage [fabric type] care” can provide specific recommendations. Check the bottom half of this guide for specific fabric care tips.
• Spot check for damage: Look for rips, tears, or loose seams. It’s best to address these issues before washing to prevent further damage.

General Cleaning Techniques

• Air it out: For lightly soiled garments, airing them out can work wonders. Fresh air can help eliminate musty smells and freshen the fabric. Hang the garment outside for a few hours on a dry, sunny day (not in direct sunlight for long periods).
• Spot cleaning: For minor stains, use a gentle stain remover designed for delicates. Always test the product on an inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn’t cause discoloration. Blot the stain with a clean, white cloth and work from the outside inwards to prevent spreading.

Hand-Washing with Care

• Gather your supplies: Fill a basin with cool or lukewarm water and a mild detergent designed for delicates. You can also use a gentle baby shampoo.
• Submerge and swish: Gently submerge the garment in the soapy water. Avoid harsh agitation or scrubbing,which can damage the fabric. Instead, swish the garment back and forth to loosen dirt.
• Soaking: Heavily soiled garments may benefit from a short soak (no more than 30 minutes) in the soapy water.
• Rinsing thoroughly: Rinse the garment with clean, cool water until all soap residue is removed.
• Drying: Don’t wring or twist the garment. Lay it flat on a clean towel and roll it up gently to remove excess moisture. Then, reshape the garment and lay it flat to air dry out of direct sunlight.

When to Consider Dry Cleaning

• Delicate fabrics: For fabrics like silk, rayon blends, or heavily embellished garments, dry cleaning is often the safest option.
• Heavy stains: Stubborn stains may require professional cleaning. Consult a reputable dry cleaner who specializes in vintage clothing.

Additional Tips

• Turn it inside out: Washing a garment inside out can help protect the outer layer from abrasion.
• Mesh bags are your friend: Use a mesh laundry bag to protect delicate garments when washing them by hand or on a gentle cycle.
• Store it right: Once clean and dry, store your vintage garments in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.Cedar hangers can help repel moths and other pests.

Once you’ve assessed your vintage garment and identified the fabric, you can use these specific cleaning techniques to keep it looking its best:

Cotton: 

A sturdy friend, vintage cotton can often be machine-washed. However, a gentle approach is still recommended:

• Turn it inside out and wash on a cold, delicate cycle with a mild detergent.
• Air dry flat or hang to dry to prevent shrinkage.

Silk: 

Luxurious silk requires special care:

• Hand-wash in cool water with a gentle detergent designed for delicates.
• Soak for a short time (no more than 15 minutes) if needed.
• Avoid wringing or twisting, gently press out excess water with a clean towel.
• Air dry flat out of direct sunlight.

Crepe: 

Both silk and synthetic crepes require delicate handling:

• Dry cleaning is generally the safest option for vintage crepes.
• If the care label allows for hand-washing, use cool water and a very gentle swishing motion.
• Never wring or twist, lay flat to dry.

Velvet: 

This rich fabric needs careful cleaning:

• Turn it inside out and brush the nap (the fuzzy surface) with a soft brush to remove dust and loose dirt.
• Spot clean with a damp cloth for minor stains.
• Professional dry cleaning is recommended for heavily soiled garments.
• Never iron or steam directly on velvet.

Fur: 

Real fur requires professional cleaning. Look for a dry cleaner specializing in fur garments.

General Tips for Delicate Materials:

• Regardless of the specific fabric, always test any cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area before applying it to the entire garment.
• For heavily soiled or damaged vintage clothing, consult a professional textile conservator.

If you are looking for good but gentle laundry soap for your vintage, I use and recommend the following:
–Retro Clean
–Nellie’s Laundry Soda
–Eucalan
–Molly’s Suds

Retro Clean Review

By following these tips, you can ensure your vintage clothing is cleaned effectively while preserving its unique character and beauty for years to come. Remember, a little extra TLC goes a long way in keeping your favourite finds looking their best!

Please Note: This is not a sponsored post. All opinions and thoughts expressed are solely my own and not influenced in any way. This page contains affiliate links/codes which aids in funding future blog posts. Please don’t feel obliged to use any of my links if you don’t want to.