Thread: how to get rid of water mark?

hi

I have a beautiful beaded dress and it was hanging in a room that was recently flooded. The bottom of the dress was in contact with the damp floor and has been left with quite a noticeable watermark all along the bottom inch. the dress is a stretch lycra type fabric,

does anyone know what i should do to get rid of the mark?
steam it?
dry clean it?

thanks

Linda

Hmm, that's a challenge. It depends on whether the water mark is simple water spotting, or a diluted stain from something else that got wet and leached out into the water that the skirt absorbed.

Usually, when you have a water spot, you can't get it out any other way than washing the whole garment. Trying to spot clean it just makes a bigger water spot, and if water leaves marks, then trying to use a solvent will probably mark, too. You could either take the dress to a dry cleaner you trust and get an evaluation, or look through the numerous Bhuz threads on washing costumes and try to do it yourself. Lycra itself is safe to wash (it's swimsuit fabric!), but the embellishments may not be washable...or they may be washable in extra-gentle handwashing...or perhaps you can throw the whole costume in the washer per Sonja's daredevil method (http://www.bhuz.com/forum/fitness-be...me-washer.html). If you opt to use some sort of detergent or stain remover for cleaning, remember to spot test it on an inconspicuous area first to ensure that it doesn't create a new problem.

Good luck!

Try hand washing it if you are nervous about the washer. I use Woolite and it works on just about all of my gentle delicates. If that doesn't work, I would ask a dry cleaners but I think Tourbeau has a good idea too.