howtoclean

I came across this gorgeous velvet coat from Marguerite Rubel that was covered in stains and has 3 missing Dorset buttons. There are no contents or care tags, but after poking around the internet I thought it might be 100% cotton velvet with an acetate lining. I soaked it 3 times in Woolite...

I have had this Lilli Ann sitting in my closet for almost a year. Wanting help with date. Im guessing 60s but unsure. It does have a nylon zipper and a pinked liner. The fabric feels like polyester. Im wondering if there is any chance of soaki g it in cool water as an attempt to get the...

Hello! I purchased this 1960s Lilli Ann set the other day. It has a few stains and smells of cigarettes. What’s the best way to clean this piece? I didn’t think dry cleaning would get the stains out, but I could be wrong. I do have a lot of special detergents and soaps at home that I treat my...

Help... Do you think dry cleaning will be able to get out stains? They are only on the inside. Not sure if it would be better to replace the lining or leave as is since they cannot be seen on the outside. Also I have only recently discovered the Lilli Ann did suits.. or outfits with matching...

I purchased this coat today. Need help with date. I am thinking 40's by looking at your label resource? Also material? I know it is hard to tell in pictures, but it does not really seem like wool but it could be? You guys are so awesome all the time. I actually picked up several items and may...

Hiya So I scored this bag today at a charity shop - fairly sure it’s leather and it’s super soft. Wondering what to clean it with as it’s a bit grubby? Also does anyone know if these things are worth much if I decide to sell it? Many thanks Poppy x

So I have what I think are underarm stains (light brown on lavender rayon) on a dress. I have tried a vinegar solution but it’s not working very well. What can I use that won’t bleach the rayon?

hi! Yet another stain / cleaning post. Will dry cleaning "set" stains? I've a 1920s green chartreuse dress with a number of brown and light brown stains that look like some kind of food stains or splash or drip stains. I was thinking a soak, but I don't want to fade the color of the dress...

hi! So I know the predominate advice is to not wash / dry clean unless it looks in need or smells with an airing. However I feel bad selling without washing. I personally would wash or dry clean my own garments. Anyways,, I have a 40s dress - lavender rayon weave. Tested using burn method and...

Hi, I'll try to post pics as soon as i can, probably tomorrow. Anywho, it is a late 40s to early 50s style dress in silk or silk-like paisley with belt and matching parasol that has a handwritten Traina Norell label on the belt. I purchased it at a private estate sale and there was another...

Hi all, What is the best way to clean this and possibly remove the grime / discoloration around the neck and upper back area? It looks not that bad in photos, but really needs a clean. The fabric just feels kinda grimy. How should I deal with the metallic trim? It seems to be one piece that has...

Hi, I want to clean and sanitize my closet surfaces. It's painted wood. Prior to that, the closet had several moths because of dust and there were also old woolens etc. I'm fine with doing a tiny bit of touching up of the wood. Everything will be removed. All the clothing has been washed...

Hi everyone, I have found a beautifully constructed sky blue velvet dress that unfortunately has yellow/orange spotting throughout the fabric. I have no experience with velvet fabrics. Is this water marks, mold or rust or something else? Will a dry cleaner have any hope in removing them from...

Guilty! My and/or the dry cleaner's failure or inability to thoroughly remove perspiration from a silk Halston shirt dress from the mid-70s has left me with a dress too precious to toss but not usable in its present state. The underarm stains on the mint green silk seem to have expanded...

So I found an amazing fully sequined/beaded gown (all black, like my heart) a the thrift store about a year ago. Made by Marc Happel, pre-NYC Ballet tenure. It's incredible, but has a couple issues which put it fairly squarely within the "personal collection" pile, rather than the sell pile...

Hi! I'm looking for some advice for cleaning antique linen dresses. Typical staining with antique linens, yellowing, etc. I have read great things about "Engleside restoration fabric restorer", I have looked everywhere, but I can not find anywhere online that will ship it to Canada. I have...

Hi guys so Ive got a lovely gabardine jacket but its in need of a wash round the collar area mainly any ideas whats the best method? dry clean any good?

I bought a beautiful, soft, vintage fur coat today at a second hand store and I was hoping some kind soul might be able to offer some advice as to the likely type of fur it's made from. I am mainly wondering if I can clean it somehow or deodorise it, as it smells like the second hand store! It...

Hi all, Looking for advice on a couple of cleaning related questions. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 1. After washing lined dresses, I frequently experience some level of shrinkage which is different for the top fabric compared to the lining which creates a lot of work to fix...

Hi Everyone! I'm hoping I can either find some more info or be directed to a good resource to find more info about this beautiful Elizabeth Arden coat I found. I'm a makeup artist and vintage lover (and velvet obsessed", so when I found this at a Goodwill, I thought it was very cool to find a...

Hi everyone, my first post to the forum after haunting it for some time. :) I have acquired a red Shaheen romper with the chopstick pattern on it. The lining is pretty dingy and I was wondering if there is any advice out there for how to wash it. Generally speaking I'll handwash in oxyclean for...

Happy New Year All, My prized Chanel rubber boots from the early 90s have acquired quite the buildup of street dirt stains. I've tried everything from regular soap and water to Comet cleanser to experimenting with all kinds of substances in inconspicuous portions of the boots. Nothing has...

Rochester NY had a great store "back in the day" named Edwards & Sons. It closed in 1972. Sad because it was a favorite in our family. I still have mom's "metal charge plate" somewhere in a box!! This dress was sold from that store in the late 1960s. When I found it in an estate, the...

Hi friends. I found this dress at an estate sale for a few dollars last weekend, and i am hoping for any tips on cleaning and care. I am not sure of the fiber content, as there aren't any labels. It feels like taffeta, very crispy and kind of shiny. I think it is synthetic, i have not done a...

Hello, I have a scarf from the 1950s made by Saks Fifth Avenue. It's all wool but smells musty and old. Needs a good cleaning!! I refuse to dry clean it as scarves don't hold up well at the dry cleaners. I bought the wool and cashmere shampoo from the Laundress, it has stellar ratings. Before I...

So the Lilli Ann coat finally arrived and I grabbed some pictures. Please tell me what you think! Mannequin would be roughly 5'7"/8" with a head. The hand stitching is beautiful, so well done. The photos of the seam show the hem with the lining up and then with the lining down. I personally...

I almost fell over when I found this at my local salvation army (for $9.99:)) I looked through the label resource, and am feeling good about it dating to the early 60's, but would like to be certain. Also, I think the collar is sheared beaver (as it feels very much like a beaver coat I own) but...

I just started collecting vintage clothing. I am wondering what advice you have for dealing with possible bedbugs (and other insects). I've heard these are getting more common, and to take precautions when buying used items. The most common method I've seen is to run it through the dryer for...

So, I have bought this wonderfull swimsuit and I have very little knowledge about dating vintage swimwear, so I hope you could help me. white fabric with red rose print stretch on the back the top of the swimsuit is lined and boned metal zipper on the back. the pull has two lightningbolts and...

I have a blue Helen Bond Carruthers Cashmere Sweater with what I believe was a white applique design. If the applique was white, it is now cream. Does anyone know how to clean this item so that I can offer it for sale? Thanks, Marie