When you buy a used costume...

stardancer · 05-02-2007, 09:51 PM

Do you all clean the lining/wash it, or just leave it alone if there is no funkyness to it? I was just thinking today about all the used costumes I buy and about all the old sweat and bacteria from other people embedded in the lining (especially if it been "around the block") and I kinda grossed myself out! I never thought much about it before. I might start disinfecting them before wearing (well, the bra at least). I'm full of questions tonight I guess.

tamrahennatx · 05-02-2007, 10:08 PM

Generally, I would replace the lining, unless it seemed that the costume was very lightly used. I might also lay/hang the costume outside in the shade to air out.

Ameera · 05-03-2007, 02:41 AM

I can't help but wash my costumes when I get them used. Just a gentle hand wash in the tub with a special detergent for delicate clothes and drip dry... worked great so far even on the most intricately beaded lycra dress. Actually for that one I went into the trouble of taking the swarowski crystals out of their settings before washing to avoid further water damage. Another problem was that the turquoise dye from the threads bled onto the mesh inserts... not a big deal, they needed to be replaced anyways. So a lot of effort, but I know it's clean now.

artemisia_danst · 05-03-2007, 03:35 AM

so far, if not smelly, i've just put them on. but then, i'm used to having to share costumes for the stage with troupe members. and boy, those where MUCH dirtier then any used one's i've bought myself.

artemisia

MariaAya · 05-03-2007, 03:58 AM

Because I tend to buy whatever used costume i find in sale in Greece lol (for the purpose of having a big guardarobe for my students and troup) there are 2 cases:
a) I wash them, checking first for beads colour if the colour get off, etc, very genlte as it is descirbed above.
b) yes i do replace the linen (and to make it educational, once in a while we have a small "recovering/fixin costumes workshop" with the studends that actualy will use the costumes.

Maria Aya

Adishakti · 05-03-2007, 05:34 AM

If it looks and smells clean, then I spray with vodka/water and let it lay out to dry. I keep meaning to replace the linings anyway, but never seem to get around to it.

If the condition of the costume is less than stellar - I do replace the lining, and if it's a beaded skirt, I turn it inside out and spray with vodka/water.

lizajuk · 05-03-2007, 07:06 AM

Fresh air and fabreze..i
f something looks nice and clean , I don't worry about it. After all I've bought new stuff which has smelt of ciggies, had the odd stain on it etc.

auraevans · 05-03-2007, 07:17 AM

I always replace the lining. No exceptions. I usually remove the old lining and air it out for a couple of days in fresh air and sunshine then put the new lining in. I woolite skirts if the need it and air dry.

05-03-2007, 07:26 AM

My Teacher Sprays Them The Lining With A Blend Of Whiskey And Water,, ????????whiskey Kills, I Use A A Mix Of Bleach And Water Hang Out In Air. Lining Only, Or Replace, Can We Get Bed Bugs? Or Body Lice Like Scabies? Enough Gross, Barb

05-03-2007, 07:33 AM

I don't worry about it, the costumes I sell are usually in really good like new condition. The ones I buy are usually good condition too.
If you've ever danced other forms, and had to do quick changes backstage and such, you get over putting on other's costumes real quick!

latriamou · 05-03-2007, 09:59 AM

for the most part the costumes i sell and buy are in pretty good condition. usually just a water/vodka spray and an air out. as a scientist who works in a lab everyday, i've probably been exposed to worse and at the same time, i know waaaaaaaay too much so if i sat down and thought about it, i'd never buy anything at the swap meet. i prefer not to think about it.
but that would change if i received something that was a little fishy..

micamica · 05-03-2007, 10:55 AM

I prefer to change the lining, unless I know it came from someone who couldn't wear it because it was the wrong size. Everytime i wear a costume I spritz it down with a mixture of 4 oz. water with 6 drops tea tree essential oil in it. Kills bacteria, smells great, and I don't have to worry about discoloration-I have real problems with Febreze smell =(
Nikki

Mirabai · 05-03-2007, 11:07 AM

Ack! Me too. Can't stand febreze smells. I've tried a couple of them.
Thanks for all your postings! I was just looking around for a thread about what to do with newly bought older costumes ... replacing the lining is what I figured ... but I get them and I just want to wear them! Regardless! It's like dessert! Can't wait! ... but in some cases, it may be better to wait :)

Nepenthe · 05-03-2007, 11:10 AM

How do you replace the lining?

I was lucky, I guess. One of my favorite costumes came from the swap meet page - a beautiful turquoise bedlah - and even though the seller warned me that her husband smokes, the costume didn't smell at all. It was one of the best purchases I've ever made.

I hate Febreze. It makes it smell worse. And I've seen cases where the Febreeze smell wore off and the bad smell was still there. So, I'm not sure that Febreze does anything besides perfume it.

auraevans · 05-03-2007, 11:23 AM

Me too, I cant stand the smell of Febreeze either.

naiyahayal · 05-03-2007, 02:13 PM

I never. never, never wear perfume when performing -- A few times I have bought a used costume and the previous owner's perfume is so pervasive I don't want to wear it. I don't think perfume & sweat mix well at all! I am always thinking, if decide to sell it, I want it to be as clean as possible for the new owner. Any of you feel the same way? I bought one once on EBay & was surprised someone would list it like that. I re-listed it (it was so strong I couldn't keep it in the same room with my other costumes), was totally honest about the perfume, and would you believe someone else snapped it up--maybe she (and some of you??) know a secret -- is there some way to get perfume out? Any ideas/suggestions? I never heard of vodka/water before, either.

latriamou · 05-03-2007, 02:22 PM

maybe it wasn't wearing the perfume while performing but spraying the costume with perfume to get the smell out? sometimes i will store a costume with dryer sheets to get smells out- if the dryer sheet is very scented and it stays in the bag for a while the costume can smell strongly.
i dont really wear perfume when i perform- any smell is from my glitter body lotion which has a light scent.
airing it out is the only way i know of to get out perfume...

danielabellydance · 05-03-2007, 03:04 PM

See these costumes?

These were our "brazillian" costumes when I was in Amira Mor's company. They were about 10 years old. They were always the last costume of the night for big jobs. (after 4-5 hours of mulitple routines and costume changes). They were so disgusting, we couldn't stand near party goers, for fear that they would smell us.

The worst was when we had to wear them two nights in a row. Sometimes, they would still be wet from the dancer's sweat the night before. And you always got a different costume, so rarely was it ever your own sweat that you were feeling.

So, no. I don't do anything to a costume when I buy it, except spray a little fabreeze. I spray fabreeze after every time I wear them, too.

ChristinaRizkallah · 05-03-2007, 06:54 PM

That's a good idea as I neve thought of that. I have two used costumes. One from Dandesh that was only worn once by her. It did have white deoderant spots, but I wore it anyway without cleaning it. I have a red & black Eman Zaki dress from Leila. I haven't worn it yet. She only wore it twice. I probably won't wash it before I wear it. It looks pretty clean and non-funky.

naiyahayal · 05-03-2007, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by latriamou

maybe it wasn't wearing the perfume while performing but spraying the costume with perfume to get the smell out? sometimes i will store a costume with dryer sheets to get smells out- if the dryer sheet is very scented and it stays in the bag for a while the costume can smell strongly.
i dont really wear perfume when i perform- any smell is from my glitter body lotion which has a light scent.
airing it out is the only way i know of to get out perfume...

Oh, I hadn't thought of that -- I was wondering why someone would wear so much perfume -- that makes sense -- to cover up. Ps-- I bought a beautiful costume on Ebay before I joined Bhuz--a black/red/green/white costume with a ghawazee style top that looks a lot like the one in your picture--I LOVE that costume -- was it yours?? Also, I think we exchanged a few notes about how some offers on Ebay are so low, what are they thinking -- was that you? If so, nice to "meet" you on Bhuz -- hope we can do some more business -- haha! Tanya SF (Naiya)

Arwen · 05-04-2007, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by auraevans

Me too, I cant stand the smell of Febreeze either.

Tastes bad too. I like the vodka better! One for me, one for the costume, one for me...

sha-ri · 05-04-2007, 08:19 AM

To me it also depends on the conditions the costume is in. If it doesn't smell or has sweat stains it's o.k. to me. From just putting it on like it is to complete wash + replacing the lining I had all cases.

The same when I sell a costume - I ask the buyer wether she wants me to wash it or she would do it herself if she feels it is necessary. Most tell me they want to clean it themselfs.