How To Clean Vintage Clothing & Jewelry
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So you’ve followed my guidelines for finding and picking worthy vintage and secondhand pieces. Now that you have your vintage and secondhand pieces at home, how do you care for them? Here are some tips on caring for and prolonging the life of your vintage and secondhand garments and jewelry.
Costume Jewelry - avoid moisture!! No showering, washing hands, or jumping in the pool with these pieces on. To prevent tarnishing, properly store your costume jewelry by using anti-tarnish strips in air tight sealed bags or your jewelry box. Some use clear nail polish to coat jewelry creating a barrier to keep moisture out. I’ve never tried this method but many people use it. If damage is done and there’s noticeable tarnishing, use toothpaste, baking soda paste, OR gentle dish soap and warm water with a soft toothbrush to gently clean jewelry.
Sterling or .925 Silver Jewelry - wear it as much as you want! The more you use it, the less tarnished it gets. You can wear sterling silver in the shower or pool and it will not have a negative effect. For silver pieces that have been stored for a while, a polishing cloth is the best to remove any tarnish or dark spots. For hard to reach places a toothbrush with toothpaste can work wonders.
Silk, Wool, Cashmere - If you prefer to not have these delicate fabrics dry-cleaned, hand washing in the sink or tub works best. Detergents formulated specifically for these delicate fabrics are a must. Brands like the Laundress, Forever New Delicate Wash, and my personal favorite Fiber Wash by Unicorn Fibre, are easy to use and keep my delicate pieces fresh. First, soak the garment in lukewarm to cool water, then add the suggested amount of detergent and gently swish/agitate the water with your hands, then rinse clean. Post wash, air dry your pieces on a flat surface on top of an old towel in a well ventilated area or get a flat sweater drying rack (you can use it for sweaters, lingerie, skirts, dresses, the works). If you hang these items it will stretch and warp the shape so drying flat is best.
Leather - To be honest, find a good local shoe repair person or “cobbler”. They know exactly how to keep leather from cracking and staying supple, it’s worth the money having professionals do it. For small spills and dust, wipe with a damp cloth, let air dry, then use a leather safe clear wax polish.
Fur - This is another one that is best to leave to the professionals especially if you suspect any kind of mildew or pest damage. To help prevent infestations you can vacuum, yes vacuum, your real and faux fur pieces. You can use the hose attachment BUT first make sure the suction is on a medium to low setting. Next, create a screen over the nozzle of the hose by taking an old cotton t-shirt or cloth napkin, placing it over the nozzle, and fastening with a rubber band. This will prevent the fibers from getting sucked into the vacuum and getting tangled and torn off. Place the garment on a flat surface and vacuum section by section to remove dust (pests feed off of the fibers and dust).
Image of Cloth Napkin Covering Vacuum Nozzle.
Vintage Man-Made Fabrics - before you do anything, identify the fabric. If you’re unsure what it is, you can test these cleaning methods out on a small inconspicuous area first to ensure you don’t accidentally ruin the treasure you just found. Testing is always a good practice on brightly colored pieces to ensure colors do not bleed onto other areas or the other items you may be washing. Acrylic, Polyester, Viscose, Acetate, and the like can be cleaned using Fiber Wash or un-dyed laundry detergent in cool water. It is best to hand wash these items or use a mesh laundry bag if you want to add it to your regular laundry.
General good practice for any closet - keep things clean and dry. Two of the biggest concerns for large collections of vintage or historical items are pests and mold. Dirt and humidity are their best friends and your enemy.
To repel pests, mold, and mildew:
1- try to always clean and fully dry items before you put them away.
2- If you live in a humid environment, store things in a basement or attic, getting a dehumidifer will go a long way in keeping pests like moths away as well as preventing mold and mildew.
3- satchels with herbs like mint, rosemary, and lavender repel bugs and are easy to find and fit into drawers and closets. One great brand is Moth-Away. Avoid cedar planks or chests as they will leach oils and stain garments.
These tips will help you prolong the life of your vintage. Remember to always test a small hidden area to ensure you won’t damage the whole piece.