Red Wool Suit?

foofoogal

foofoogal

Registered Guest
I found this all wool homemade suit and evidently it was hung on hangers for a time.
The shoulders had dust. I have used vinegar to try and clean it but is there another trick that would possibly work better?
Thanks in advance.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_8882.jpg
    IMG_8882.jpg
    52.8 KB · Views: 321
That is a fabulous suit - mink cuffs?
Is it dust or fading? I've not tried vinegar, but I have tried Eucalan and Folex to lift off stains. If it's dust I probably would have tried to lift off what I could with tape first.
I am new to vintage and still learning. I'm sure others with more experience will have better advice to offer.
 
Thank you. The brushing with a clothes brush plus the vinegar did take it off well.
Wool is an amazing fabric. Could possibly be sent to the cleaners if desired but will leave as is overall.
Yes, it does have mink cuffs.
Specially Fashioned and Handmade by Connie label.
Charming and well made.
 
Well, thank you. It really is amazing how amazing vinegar works on wool. While checking it out I found that a good wool anything only has to be cleaned rarely. I found this interesting.
----------
Prince Charles' valet claims that the royal's suits need to be cleaned no more than once a year. The valet brushes the clothing and steams any wrinkles before the suit is put away. Quality wool will need little cleaning if taken off after wearing and folded or hung on a sturdy hanger. The valet recommends spot cleaning for small areas and major cleaning only when necessary.
 
That's definitely true! A soft brushing and spot cleaning will do wonders for wool. Especially coats. I have a vintage 50s' cashmere coat that I've owned for over 20 years, and I've only had to have it cleaned once. Granted, I haven't worn it in several years (as I'm currently, ahem, too large for it), but I wore it as my everyday winter coat, and would simply brush it out with a very soft brush once in awhile. So, I wore it almost daily in the winter for around 12 or 13 years, had it cleaned only once, and it still looks like new! (And, by George, I'm gonna get back into it!)

Never heard specifically about using vinegar to clean it, but vinegar is great on many fabrics as a cleaner or, better yet, a component in a home-brewed cleaning solution.
 
Hi,

Great advice, and good to know the vinegar trick continues to work. Funny how good old fashioned things often work better than the new fangled chemical concoctions and are cheap and not toxic.

A tip for wool suits and coats, etc...hang them up outside overnight, or for several days and nights (in a protected area if you get rain and snow). Bring the garment in while it is dry, after it has thoroughly dried in the sun, and gently and firmly brush the surface (use a soft brush on fine woolens) . It can often make it look years younger too. I have used this method for years and it really works. Something about night time moisture bringing the dirt to the surface, and sunlight wicking or evaporating away the oils and surface dirt, or we brush it away....and it also opens up the wool fibers. Give it a try before dry cleaning, to bring soiling up to the top fibers where it is more easily cleaned.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top