The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Vintage Clothing
Vintage clothing is a treasure trove of unique styles and fabrics that can add a touch of nostalgia to any wardrobe. But, when you score a great find, the question of how to properly clean it can be daunting. As an experienced thrifter with over two decades of experience, I’ve accumulated a wealth of knowledge on how to clean vintage clothing. From delicate fabrics to tough stains, I have a trick for everything. Get ready to learn the ultimate guide to cleaning vintage clothing and make your finds look brand new.
My simple guide to learn how to clean vintage clothing
First Things First
I always take my own bags when I’m thrifting and keep the clothing and textiles I buy in this bag – away from everything else I may buy. As soon as I get home, I throw everything in the dryer on high heat for 30-60 minutes. You can also put items in a sealed bag and store in the freezer for at least 72 hours. Both of these options work to kill bugs that can transfer to other clothes in your closet and cause an infestation. I throw everything but fur, leather and suede in the dryer. I’m usually asked what about silk or wool – those go in the dryer as well and I’ve never damaged anything because they go in dry!
Once everything comes out of the dryer, I sort for cleaning. Anything with embroidery, lace, and looks fragile, I will hand wash in the tub. All other items, I use the gentle cycle and wash with cold water.
What I machine wash:
- Cotton
- Linen
- Polyester, nylon, some acetates, spandex, and synthetics were created to be able to be machine washed
What I hand wash:
- Silk
- Rayon
- Knits
- Cottons, linens, and polyester blends with ornate detailing or embroidery
What I leave to the professionals:
- Fur
- Leather & Suede
- Anything with inner lining or construction like suits and coats
- Velvet
- Garments will special detailing such as plisse pleats, moire, etc
How to Hand Wash
You can hand wash in a bucket, sink or tub – I prefer a bathtub. I fill the tub (about 2-3 gallons of cold water) and add 2 tablespoons of detergent. I wirl the fabric in the water gently while washing – do not wring or rub as fibers are weakened when wet. As the water discolors from dirt, change it out, adding detergent again. Repeat until your wash water remains clear.
Rinse thoroughly, until the rinse water is suds-free and completely clear. Just gently press water out, then roll in a clean towel to absorb moisture. I dry knits and fragile items flat, but drip dry all other items.
How to Get Rid of Musty Odors
Sadly, a lot of vintage pieces have a slightly musty smell to them. For anything that goes in the washing machine, place half a cup of vinegar in a normal wash. If you want to remove the smell without washing the garment, mix ⅓ cup of vinegar and ⅔ cup of water in a spray bottle to deodorize delicate pieces. I use this technique for items I’ll be hand washing.
I use this leather conditioner for cleaning leather and neutralizing odors. For suede, velvet and other garments that can’t be washed, I use a sometimes controversial option which is hanging the item in the sun for 1-2 days. The sun does wonders and is a free deodorizer. But please note that this may cause garments to get discolored but it has never been the case for me.
Refreshing & Maintaining
One thing to keep in mind for your vintage is to not overwash for the sake of not destroying the fibers. If an item just needs refreshing, but in a sealed bag and put in the freezer for 24 hours – I love this technique for refreshing wool, cashmere, jeans, and silk. If an item is visibly stained, that’s when I handwash or do a quick spot removing wash.
A Note About Moths
Clean textiles before storing and check on them every 3-6 months. Moths like dark and quiet places. It takes some time for them to do damage so regular inspections will help identify problems quickly. To prevent moths, be sure to clean your vintage before storing them away and use cedar blocks or rings in garment bags and throughout your closet. Vacuum your closet thoroughly including drawers and shelves regularly. If you find yourself with an infestation, get professional help. You could try to tackle it on your own but a professional will get rid of it quickly.
