Care Guide For Washing & Storing your Garments/Textiles

When in doubt, do not machine wash any vintage & antique textiles.

Hand-washing will prevent any damage or discoloration to your garments. All garments post-1960s (and really, any garments made of synthetic fibers), as well as newer linen and cotton can be machine-washed, no problem. Separate your lights from your darks, otherwise you may end up with accidentally-dyed garments! All garments and textiles we sell are hand-washed and line-dried.

Lets face it— line-drying is therapeutic, eco-friendly and makes for a picturesque scene.

All great things in our eyes.

Hand-washing garments reigns supreme to machine washing, especially when handling vintage & antique textiles. To hand-wash, run a little bit of hot water in a washtub to dissolve your detergent (we use a mild, unscented powder detergent). Once dissolved, run lukewarm water until your garment is completely submerged. Repeat this process until the water runs clear. Grab the soaked item by the bulk— this is important to note because grabbing a wet garment by the arm, leg, etc. may put strain on the garment which could result in weakening the fabric or worse— ripping/tearing. Squeeze the garment gently then roll in a towel until the garment is no longer soaked. Lastly, line dry/lay the garment flat depending on the weight.

If it is your first time hand-washing a specific garment, do a dip test to ensure there is no color-bleed. You may see this in a lot of earlier velvet or dyed silk pieces. If the garment is unable to be washed, use a fine misting bottle full of vodka (Yes, you read correctly— vodka!) to disinfect & deodorize the garment. If a garment is clean but has a lingering scent, misting a bit of distilled white vinegar may also neutralize the scent.

When drying/storing your garments, do not use wire hangers. Never. Never ever. It will eventually stretch out the shoulders, can cause rust, thus damaging your beloved garments.

When storing vintage & antique textiles, remember that prevention is the ultimate way to keep your clothing around longer. Taking a few extra steps will make your garment last another lifetime and in great condition. Do not store your clothing in air-tight bags. Instead, store them in a pillowcase, or a cedar chest. If stored in a humid space, it can cause mildew, mold and is ultimately a breeding ground for bugs. Try to keep clothing and textiles stored in a cool, dry environment. To keep bugs away, do yourself a favor and chuck those moth balls in the garbage bin now and place cedar, bay leaves or lavender near the garments instead. A natural remedy that also smells incredible.

If you have any other questions or concerns about caring for your garments/textiles,

please contact us at info@thebrasslady.com

We would be happy to help!