Dry cleaning my vintage?

J

jeans05

Registered Guest
I am a huge fan of polyester. But I don't want to be known as the polyester haven. Okay, that is not such a bad thing.

I am doing my research and noticing that a lot of vintage stores state the following; "Washing or dry cleaning is recommended prior to wearing." I have heard that you should wash or clean those items that need it and others that don't, find a way to state that in the description.

I feel better about washing and professionally cleaning an item, but when I put them on auction, sometimes I am lucky to break even in my efforts. Is there a good rule of thumb? I love vintage and would want a super great clean garment, and I would want to know all of its flaws even the hidden ones.

That is my second question? I turn my garments inside out, so am I over describing? I have noticed rating systems etc. on other vintage sites. Are rating systems a good idea?

I would really appreciate tons of feedback from this. As of now, I am cleaning everything even if it is a dry cleaning sheet on items that look clean. I realize that age, ect. also should be considered. I am also over describing in the hopes of having my customers be overwhelmed in a good way instead of underwhelmed in a bad way.

Many thanks for your time and all of your input, it will be treasured.
Denise
favoriteforgottenjeans.com
 
On my site I put something about drycleaning. When something should be drycleaned and when they should not be drycleaned. Sometimes a handwashing is better for the item. Sometimes an item needs a specialist not a regular drycleaner. Drycleaning uses heavy wet chemicals which can shatter fragile fabrics....

Most customers dont have experience when cleaning vintage I have a page with care tips.... Especially when NOT TO PUT IN THE WASHING MACHINE.

I have this care page so if they do wash incorrectly they cant come back to me and say I did not tell them....


-CHris
 
You'll start to get a feel for what you can or need to do to present a piece as well as possible.

I wash everything that can be washed- and some things I probably shouldn't but that I can't justify the dry cleaning expense for. Those items are usually something that if I end up with a mess on my hands it was no great loss. I've been very pleasantly surprised several times.

I use the dryer cleaning sheets and have also had pretty good success in freshening up items that weren't in bad shape to begin with.

If I have something I think will do well enough that I can recoup my expense on, I go ahead and take it to the dry cleaner. I don't have any specialty DCs near me so very delicate or fragile items I just list "as is" and describe their fragile nature and my lack of experience in restoring them. That way someone with the ability to handle the restoration may purchase it.

Something else to look into~ my dry cleaner does bulk dry cleaning at $2.50/ pound. If I have several sturdy pieces, like coats, suits, etc. I can get them cleaned for a pretty good price. They don't press or steam for that price, but I can do that for myself.

Good luck!
 
"I turn my garments inside out, so am I over describing?"

I say that turning garments inside out is a very good idea...I should do it more often! I believe you should describe issues that are not seen on the outside of a garment, plus you may find flaws that you didn't spot from the outside, such as tiny holes. If you are selling a really great, valuable item, I suggest very carefully noting every flaw in detail.

"I have noticed rating systems etc. on other vintage sites. Are rating systems a good idea?"

Generally rating systems can be a good idea, but the most important thing is that it is clear what you mean by terms like "excellent" and "good." I don't use a rating chart, but I try to be really clear in the condition description.
 
I too turn items inside out. Found a ripped lining in a sleeve of a coat once that I would not have known about otherwise.

Condition charts can be helpful but the important thing is to accurately describe any flaws that cant be seen and photograph the ones that can. I do not like it as a buyer when a seller states something like "small stain on bodice" but nothing more. How small? Where exactly? What kind of stain? Let me see it!

I would much rather a customer be pleasantly surprised than mildly disappointed.
 
Maggie & Brenda,
Thanks a million.

Brenda,
Thanks for replying to my other post on the Ralph Lauren piece, I posted it finally. I find another like it that was posted on Ebay.
Many regards

Maggie,
Cute vintage bags. I am hoping to consign some wonderful handmades in my ebay store and my favorite quilts. I am hoping to have a little bit of all the things I love. Sweet designs.
Many thanks
 
I don't dry clean everything, generally only things that are icky or that just need perking up. Obviously, i'm going to to dry clean somethiing that I'll only sell for £20! It's mostly just the tempermental fabrics like acetate, silks (taffetas, etc) and rayons.
Most cotton things, I just handwash in the silk and drip dry. Dark unwashable things get a good steaming and spot cleaning.

I don't really like using a condition chart as I find there are so many variables that sometimes things can traverse ratings like good to very good. LFor instance, if the outside of a jacket is pristine and spotless but the inside lining is all stained up. The lining may be in "poor" or "fair" condition but you can still wear the jacket which looks to be in mint condition on the outfit and no one will be the wiser to the staining underneath. I like to state and explain the faults.

Lei
 
Lei,
Thanks, I just tend to fall in love with a lot of wool things this time of year. They seem to have just a stored scent to me. So, I have been cleaning several things, but sometimes I can't recoup the fees. Long term this will not be feasible for me. I just like things to look great, it is a balance isn't it? Have you seen any great washing guides that are comprehensive for vintage?
 
You know, if your wool items just need to be freshened up, and aren't dirty, you might just give one of the home dry cleaning sheets products a whirl. Dryel is widely available and you can also find Dry Cleaner's Secret. It doesn't clean clothes the way DCing does, but it can help take out "old" scents if they aren't too set in.

PS Thanks re/ my bags! :)
 
Mmmm, I kind of like that stored scent :D Usually with wools like blazers or suits, I'll give them a good steaming to get out any stinkiness and to freshen them (if they are too mucky and are a high value item, then I'll dry clean them).
For things like sweaters, I use Stergene wool detergent (don't know if this is sold outside the UK) and it makes them go all soft and lovely again. I washed a bunch of 40's- 50's wool sweaters in that and they turned out lovely!

Lei
 
Nice thanks. Do you all have a suggestion about the best steamer to look into ?????
I am in the market to get my office ready, thus why I had a lot of things done professionally. Trying to gear up to run it out of my home office.
Many regards,
D
 
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