Everything you need to know about caring for your vintage collection

Orvus is marketed as quilt soap - and dog wash! but it works very well for vintage textiles.

 

Oh what a wonderful resource! I very much enjoyed reading it.

My mother gave me some dubbin many years ago for vintage leather (it used to be used regularly in the 40s & 50s and probably even before then). It works particularly well for dry and cracked leathers, shoes, handbags, belts etc. Not for use on suede or nubuck though. It is oil based so any leather that will spoil with a drop of oily liquid is a no go.

 

I learn something every time I read it.

 

Thanks , Great resources

 

Fantastic! You had me hooked on the introduction page with the rule "When in doubt, don't". Love that!!

 

so regarding spot cleaning ... I have had good success with that depending on the fabrics of course. Also I'm talking mid century to modern seldom earlier unless it is sturdy colorfast wool. I blot with a clean, white, absorbent cotton cloth and whatever cleaning solution is best suited to the textile. I feather out quite a ways which seriously reduces or eliminates the "ring" issue and I often spot clean in stages letting it dry before the next round. Spot cleaning before laundering makes a big difference for me. Indeed some stains and spots are permanent but some are not. I can sometimes tell by pressing a damp Q-tip to the spot and seeing if it lifts off anything. Fingers crossed, I have never ruined anything with careful spot cleaning but I have saved a number of things. Having said all that I Never spot clean items that are delicate, old, have a pile finish or an "industry" finish, no leather, silks are generally off limits and I always test for dye fastness. I defiantly apply the when in doubt rule.

 

Hi there. I'm new. I already introduced myself.
I am having trouble posting images when I start a new thread. It asks for URL/LINK all.i want is to post an image

 

Thanks you Hollis and Ruth, I'm sure I'll be referring to this often for help and guidance.

 

The information you provide is very detailed. I will share it with my friends.

 

I just reread this whole resource - and I still stand by it!
I would add an option I had not used at the time I wrote this:
If your item is smelly/musty, I have had great success with my local drycleaners who provide an Ozone treatment that did wonders.
No water, no fluid, no handling. They hung my 1920s dresses in a room and did the ozone thing, and the smell was gone!

 

Part 3 - maybe under Airing? The solution for smelly clothes!