How best to clean a 30's-40's Silk and Lace Bias-cut Nightgown?

shesabettie

shesabettie

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How best to clean a 30\'s-40\'s Silk and Lace Bias-cut Nightgown?

Picked up a GORGEOUS!!! 30's-40's silk and lace bias-cut nightgown at an estate sale yesterday. Slipped it on last night and it fits awesome so I'm keeping it!

However, it needs to be cleaned. Would it be okay to hand wash with a "delicates" liquid soap / steam or should I dry clean? It has some discoloration.

Thanks so much for your advice :bouncy:
 
I used to dry clean these and then I figured: it's a night gown, our grandmothers wouldn't have worn intimate garments that needed such care - so now I hand wash them and haven't had any problems. Of course, be extra gentle with it, don't wring or squeeze and dry flat on a towel (when they're almost dry I put them on the line for final dry and airing). I also recommend doing any repairs before cleaning.

I use gentle hand wash liquid. As far as discolouration goes, it's probably there for good (silk is hard to get marks out of) but a wash will freshen it up.

N
 
Thanks for your response, Nicole! I agree with you and was thinking the same thing.

What made me hesitate was when last night, as I was hand washing some button down blouses from the same sale, the iridescent color of the faux mother of pearl buttons started to wash off! Do you have any suggestions for how to repair this other than replacing the original buttons (which I hesitate to do!)

Thanks again!
 
Oh, yes I've had that one before - if in doubt, just remove buttons prior to washing, but I generally wash quickly without soaking. If you soak, all manner of things can go wrong so if I don't have to, I don't, and if I do, I carefully monitor so that there are no nasty surprises!

N
 
Hand washing as Nicole says is fine. You should when washing garments, whenever possible, always remove buttons and when necessary any trimmings. Vintage fabrics and trimmings, buttons etc. can react differently to soaps, powders and water. It may seem a chore but it is worth doing.

I'd replace the buttons if they are looking shabby. You'll have no problem finding mother of pearl buttons.
 
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