do you think I can handwash this dress?

retro ruth

retro ruth

Administrator
Staff member
Hi everyone,

It doesn't look like much in this quick hanger pic, but this is one my favourite dresses from my own wardrobe, and I'd love some advice on cleaning. I think it's early-mid 50s, so nearly 60 years old.

I'd like to gently handwash it, can anyone advise if that's a good idea? I can steam it otherwise, but would like to wash it very occasionally. I try and avoid dry-cleaning.

I have burn tested, and pretty sure it's rayon, but not 100% certain. I've included a shot the back of the fabric too, in case that makes a difference. As you can see the orange/gold thread in the weave pulls easily.

Many thanks
Ruth

DSCF4121.jpg

DSCF4128.jpg

DSCF4127.jpg
 
Its a pretty dress. I know other people feel differently but I have had bad results from washing certain early rayons, horrible shrinkage and sometimes the rayon goes stiff. Having said that this dress looks to be a more solid weave and probably 1950s so Im not sure. I will be interested to see what others say, but I would ere on the side of caution myself, especially if it a favorite.
 
Ruth, do you have Dryel over there? Or Drycleaner's Secret? That is what I use for wool, silk, and rayon garments that either don't need a true cleaning at the cleaner's but could use a freshening up along with perhaps some scattered spot treatments, or that I just am too "scared" to wash.

I think older rayon is very touchy to wash. It's said you can use hair conditioner in the wash and/or rinse water to keep it from shrinking, and I have had luck with a rayon crepe 60's top doing that. But I've also had rayon garments shrink and/or weaken with washing. Rayon is inherently weak to begin with, and with that orange-gold thread that pulls easily, I'd err on the side of caution and not wash it. It is too lovely a piece to chance having it compromised.
 
We dont' have Dryel, I've been looking for equivalents and found Dr Beckman Dry Clean that looks like it does the same thing. You can get imported Dryel and Dry Cleaners Secret is on ebay. They all seem to be sheets that you use in a tumble dryer? The problem being though that I don't have a tumble dryer!

I could take it to a laundrette and use their dryers I suppose, but would be worried about them being too hot. I haven't been able to find an air dry equivalent here, like the Dryel spray.

I think I'll take your advice and not risk washing it. It's my go-to dress when I don't know what to wear!

Do you think it would it be ok to use my garment steamer on it? I may do that while I investigate these home dry cleaning options.
 
I do not think you should wash it. I don't have as much direct experience as Anne and Linda with trying to wash rayon, but that orange thread says "Dry Clean Only" to me. It looks like it might be a blend - rayon/acetate and might even have some cotton in it - like the orange thread. You might have trouble with shrinking and curling if you steam it - you could try steaming a tiny portion to see.

I would hav it dry-cleaned IF you have a good reputable dry-cleaner who is used to handling vintage which you proably do in London. If not - I'd hang it outside to air.

It's a great dress!

Linn
 
I'd dry clean only that one. You could lose some of the dye in that fabric if you don't.
 
If it is a favorite, don't do it. I just took a Sally Milgrim to the tailor to have fixed because I didn't heed the label instructions. :damnit:
 
Personally I would be very cartful with Rayon. in short not all Rayon is the same.
It's all about the amount of water the fibre it designed to absorb and this can be altered in the manufacturing posses.
I not sure why it done. never got to the bottom of that. ( YET)

You probably need a microscope to work it out, unfortunately I just had 2 hard drives crash at the same time so I lost 95% of my work so cannot back it up with facts at the moment.
 
nooo, don't wash it, especially as it's fav. air and/or dry clean. like Lin said, it looks like it may be a acetate(or other) blend.

it's a stellar dress :):wub:
 
Thanks so much everyone - time to search out a good drycleaner! I haven't found one yet for vintage, but I know there's a thread here somewhere with some recommendations in London.

It being a blend makes sense, and would explain why I couldn't work out the burn test - it burned like rayon but smelt different. I don't think there's any cotton in it though, but rayon/acetate seems likely.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top