Tips on washing costumes

Vasha_Hatal · 06-14-2007, 07:56 PM

How do all of you wash your professional costumes?

Ive been hand washing mine and it works alright but im always interested to see what other people are doing.

Adishakti · 06-14-2007, 08:54 PM

I try to avoid washing costumes where possible because of the risk of damage. Sometimes, though - you can't really avoid it, in which case, I soak them in the bathtub in Woolite and cold water. Shake 'em up a bit (gently), then rinse. Lay them flat on a towel to "drip dry", then hang them outside in the shade.

Bedlah's get new linings.

Between wearing costumes, I spray the insides with vodka/water solution and air dry before storing in clear storage bins.

So far, I haven't had any problems washing costumes, but it does make me nervous each and every time! But the bottom line is, I can't wear a stinky or dirty costume - it just grosses me out. ;-)

nadira seattle · 06-14-2007, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adishakti

I try to avoid washing costumes where possible because of the risk of damage. Sometimes, though - you can't really avoid it, in which case, I soak them in the bathtub in Woolite and cold water. Shake 'em up a bit (gently), then rinse. Lay them flat on a towel to "drip dry", then hang them outside in the shade.

Bedlah's get new linings.

Between wearing costumes, I spray the insides with vodka/water solution and air dry before storing in clear storage bins.

So far, I haven't had any problems washing costumes, but it does make me nervous each and every time! But the bottom line is, I can't wear a stinky or dirty costume - it just grosses me out. ;-)

This is exactly what I do as well. Learned the vodka trick from a costumer who works with shows like Cirque de Soleil. You can actually spray straight vodka (minus the water mixture) if you choose. And it doesn't have to be the expensive stuff, buy the cheapest vodka out there. You're not drinking it so "top shelf" doesn't matter

phillyraqs · 06-15-2007, 09:55 AM

Hi Vasha! How are you?!

Here's a link to a discussion about washing costumes from a few months ago, including links to other discussions.

to dryclean or not to dryclean

Handwashing seems to be the consensus, but I'd be curious (and by curious, I mean really brave) to machine wash a costume in a pillow case. I wonder if anyone has tried it?

I'm all about the vodka and water spray too after reading about it on bhuz.

rakgirl · 06-15-2007, 09:56 AM

how much vodka and how much water?

yasmindiab · 06-15-2007, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rakgirl

how much vodka and how much water?

"A shot for the costume, a shot for me....a shot for the costume...two shots for me..."

Just kidding.

I've been wondering the same thing... :)

antimony · 06-15-2007, 11:08 AM

I've always heard a 50/50 mix of vodka and water, then just spritz it on the smelly/sweaty parts of the costume until the fabric is damp but not soaked.

Samirah-NH · 06-15-2007, 11:12 AM

I've heard anywhere from a 2:1 up to 5:1 vodka/water ratio. Bhuz was where I first heard this tip too. I had tried Febreze on a velvet vest but after several days of 'spray, let dry & sniff' I could still catch a faint whiff of BO.

I tried the vodka trick as soon as I read it here and the very next day... VOILA!! No more odor! WOOHOO!!

phillyraqs · 06-15-2007, 12:45 PM

Here's what I do:
1. Have one of these.

2. Fill up spray bottle with leftover vodka from vodka martini.
3. If still seeing straight, fill remainder with water.
4. If costume still smells,

and

5. Procede to not care if costume is stinky or dirty or not and lay down.

Seriously though, I use equal parts vodka and water, but I have also used straight vodka as well.

yasmindiab · 06-20-2007, 02:14 PM

I love the way your mind works. :)

;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillyraqs

Here's what I do:
1. Have one of these.

2. Fill up spray bottle with leftover vodka from vodka martini.
3. If still seeing straight, fill remainder with water.
4. If costume still smells,

and

5. Procede to not care if costume is stinky or dirty or not and lay down.

Seriously though, I use equal parts vodka and water, but I have also used straight vodka as well.

maliam · 06-20-2007, 10:51 PM

In between washings it's a good idea to fill your bra cups with the following:

An old (and clean) sock filled with rice and baking soda.

The rice will help absorb moisture and the baking soda will absorb odor.

Hope this helps!

Azhia · 12-21-2007, 10:15 PM

I can see the vodka straight working b/c the alcohol collects any odor and then evaporates. Water might exacerbate the damaging effects of perspiration, allowing the salt to linger in the costume. It seems that one could try any kind of "flavored" alcohol straight up. There is strawberry and mint out there! THEN when I found out that alcohol contains petroleum and causes ill health side affects I was like, WOAH, nevermind.
So when I get home after a particularly sweaty gig I lay my costumes out, sweaty side up, and spray them (and my hanging skirts & veils in the shower stall) with a mixture of distilled water + lavender and tea tree essential oils. Lavender: antibacterial, tea tree: antifungicidal. Both are antiseptic and of course leave a nice fragrance. Careful with it, though, 'coz of the aforementioned water thing. P'Raqs, you're so silly. And would you add glitter to that vodka?? ;0)

tahiradancer · 12-22-2007, 01:54 PM

Something else you can do is build a mesh drying board. Okay, this takes a little bit of work, but bare with me....

Think of the screens which cover your windows. You build a frame. I like them big enough to balance across my tub. then cover the space with a fine mesh. I staple these to the out side edges of the frame so that the fabric of the costume does not catch on the staples. then when I hand wash soemthing, I pop this over the tub, but the item on it. this allows air to get to both sides.

{{{HUGS}}}

Lesgemini_Zafirah · 12-22-2007, 02:38 PM

Brilliant Tips, Tahiradancer & Azhiadancer!!! Gonna try them...
? for Azhiadancer: Where would I find lavender and tea tree oil essentials?

Update: Tried the straight vodka spritzer idea on my absolutely new favorite costume, my bhuz treasure purchase from Whisper (Thanks again, Whisper). I snuck some of the hubby's grey goose vodka into my little travel atomizer that just happens to be bejeweled with little rhinestones all over it (it was originally the eyeglass cleaner spritzer). I love it - works wonderfully - started spritzing other costumes, haven't even worn yet - had to stop! Then I had to "borrow" some more of my husband's favorite vodka, 'coz I needed to fill up my rhinestoned-travel-spritzer again! I mean, really - who knows when I'll need to spritz again?! :-/