Thread: Cleaning Costumes?

I know this subject has been touched on before, BUT...I'm basically terrified to even try and clean a costume. I'm afraid I'm going to ruin it or all the beading, fringe, etc is going to fall off. So, what are the suggestions for cleaning/freshening up costumes? I need tips for it all-bra & belt combos, chiffon skirts, as well as the fancy lycra beaded/sequined skirts. As far as I can tell they don't have any stains or make-up on them. They've just been absorbing sweat. I know, yuck but it happens. Any tips/tricks awould be greatly appreciated! Remember, I'm scared I'll destroy them.
Thanks!

I fill the sink up with cold water and a tiny bit of dish soap so no sudz develop. A couple of dunks and transfer to a towel and hang it in your bathtub to drip dry. It won't really hurt the sequins or beads any. You can get one of those portable clothes lines at the drug store. or you could use the shower curtain rod, just put a towel underneath to catch the water.

Or gently wring out in the towel and lay it out on a table on top of a dry towel. You'll notice that some of the dye will collect on the towel but it's not likely to ruin the costume... at least I've not had one ruined yet.

i use almost the same method:
1. patch test a spot on the inside to make sure the fabric is color fast

2. fill new/dedicated costume washing bin with luke warm water and mild baby shampoo that doesn't have a lot of colorants. [dedicated washing bin prevents accidental damage by sink/tub cleaning chemical residue, etc. trust me, i learned this one the hard way]

3. dunk and gently swish costumes for a few seconds. gently rub with your fingers on any spots or "fragrant" parts.

4. rinse with cold water, getting all soap out

5. lay flat on white towels that have never been bleached to dry [especially the heavy ones that might lengthen from their own weight while hanging dry. white towels so you don't transfer dye. never been bleached so you don't transfer any remnants of bleach when towels become damp]

disclaimer: this has worked for me. attempt at your own risk :P

I just had my first..oh no..in many years of washing. The finish on some pearls just floated off. I am now left with flat dead white beads. I am afraid to paint them as I will get it on the fabric since it is a rusched chiffon.

Originally Posted by anala

I just had my first..oh no..in many years of washing. The finish on some pearls just floated off. I am now left with flat dead white beads. I am afraid to paint them as I will get it on the fabric since it is a rusched chiffon.

Pearls are the worst at doing this! No better suggestion than to paint them, or replace.

Must replace. All 450 bronze, pea sized pearls that form the outline of beaded peacock eyes. Insert wail of grief here....AAAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGGGG

Thanks for the tips! Do you also wash the bras this way? Do they lose their shape? If they do then how do you get the shape back? Boy do I feel like an idiot for all these questions. LOL

Originally Posted by poohbear

Thanks for the tips! Do you also wash the bras this way? Do they lose their shape? If they do then how do you get the shape back? Boy do I feel like an idiot for all these questions. LOL

If it's a stiff bra and you wash it gently it should not lose it's shape. I've never had to do anything special to mine.

I just had this problem. I had a bra that had a lot of dirt on the inside and on the straps as well. I bought it used with this dirt. What I did was I took a damp wash cloth with some mild detergent and lightly rubbed and blotted the areas. The dirt came off and so did the odor. Yeah, if you have painted balls on you costume - it's best to do the lightly rub and blot method.... it's a tedious process but it's safer.