Caring for your Vintage Lingerie & Loungewear

Caring for your Vintage Lingerie & Loungewear 

Caring for vintage and antique lingerie and loungewear items can be a scary feat if you are new to collecting. I have invested years into developing a few tried and true methods for keeping these garments clean and well preserved.

Please keep in mind that vintage and antique fabrics are far more delicate than what you may find in stores today. Only wash these items if they become soiled, absorb smells, or if they come in contact with bodily fluids.

Pre-1930 silk items should be handled much more carefully as they are near a century old or older. Always use discernment when deciding if these tips will be appropriate for your items. You may reach out to me directly anytime if you have questions using the Chat Box! 

Laundering:

Recommended for silk, rayon, cotton, and nylon. Velvet should always be dry cleaned. Japanese kimonos (silk or rayon) are most often hand dyed or painted and should always be dry cleaned as well to prevent color bleeding. 

  • First, make sure your fingernails are not too sharp or jagged as it can snag or tear delicate fabrics.
  • Remove any embellishments or fastenings that may disintegrate, cause color bleeding, or rust (antique metal and/or bold colored fabric covered buttons, celluloid buttons, garter clasps, rosettes, bold ribbons etcetera)
  • Prepare a sink, tub, or basin by filling with cool to lukewarm water and a detergent specifically made for delicate fabrics. (See product recommendations below)
    • Submerge your items carefully in small batches with like-colored items. Gentle squeezing and 'swirling' motions can mimic a machine. 
    • Using a soft bristled tooth brush is a great way to work out stains or soiling, just be careful not to apply too much pressure.
    • I recommend only soaking for as long as necessary to remove soil and odors. If water becomes dark or murky, repeat this process with clean water and fresh detergent until the water remains mostly clear. 
  • When it is time to dry, gently squeeze garments to rid of excess water.
    • Never tightly twist, and be careful to ensure there are no 'fabric balloons' when you squeeze as these may bust and create holes in especially delicate fabrics like silk or chiffon. 
  • Hang dry, or lay flat on a soft cloth for especially fragile garments. You may also roll items in a large towel, which works especially well for girdles and corsets. 
  • Release wrinkles using a garment steamer or use an iron on the appropriate setting.

Storage

  • If hanging in a closet or on a rack, I highly recommend investing in padded hangers for silk, velvet, or rayon robes, dressing gowns, or sleeved gowns. Wire, wooden, or plastic hangers can be very harsh on the shoulders of these delicate fabrics. 
  • Anything stored in a box should be kept from high humidity or moisture. Routinely check on these items and air out occasionally to prevent mold or mildew stains. 
  • Kimonos were traditionally folded and stored. If you would like to hang your vintage or antique kimono, always use a padded hanger. The weight and hand stitching of these items can make them vulnerable to fabric thinning at the shoulders or weakening in the lining when hung. 
  • Always store items away from direct sunlight to prevent fading. 

My favorite products

Here is a list of some of my favorite products to use as well as how I use them. This list may grow, so check back periodically!

  • Woolite Delicates Damage Defense: Perfect for general washing. I typically use a full cap per 8 gallons of water (about the size of a kitchen sink). You can also pre-treat stains by dabbing a bit of this detergent directly on the stain and gently rubbing in. Let it sit for about 30 minutes and then wash. 
  • Retro Clean: Made specifically for vintage and antique fabrics. It is an oxygenated bleach so will not harm fabric or dull colors. It is pricey and does not last long, so I would recommend only using when necessary. 
  • OxiClean Baby Stain Remover: Excellent for removing stains. This is a much less costly alternative to Retro Clean but works just as well, if not better (in my opinion) and can be found just about anywhere. It has no dyes or scents, is very gentle on delicate fabrics like silk, and removes just about any stain you can imagine. For sweat stains, mix with water to create a paste and work into the stain with a soft bristled toothbrush. Please note that this may slightly lighten the area, so rinse the area and inspect periodically. 
  • Magic Eraser: Yep... Mr. Cleans Magic Eraser... but for girdles and corsets only. I only recommend using this in a rigid material like cotton or a rayon/cotton blend, as it will remove the sheen on satin. Rip off a quarter sized piece, saturate in water, and rub in a circular motion over ink, pencil, makeup, or storage stains. 
  • Soft bristled toothbrush: The ultra fine bristles are gentle on fabrics, however still rigid enough to work detergent into fabric for removing stains or soiling. This is a great tool for cleaning panty or teddy gussets.