I am just curious as to how each of you clean and take care of your garb specifially the noble carb that tends to be harder to clean. I mean most you cannot just drop into the washing machine and clean it... or parts you cannot.
I wash my chemice and then hang dry it. My fathingale I take out side hang it up and hose it down. Then put it on a folding table and start scrubbing it with soap that is designed to not hurt the enviroment. Once I wash it up I hose it back down and it gets very clean. My dress is a way different story. I I take thew vac to it with hand attachments and get as much dust and dirt off that I can. I then take it outside, put it on the table and clean what needs to be cleaned from all the dirt it gets dragged in. Once I have it cleaned I smooth it all out then hang it. This seems to work good.
So please let me and other;s know how you do it. I know kow what a laundry lady to tjhe Tudors felt like with sweat pouring off me trying to get my queens dress all clean.
What about taking it to the dry cleaners? Aside from the strange looks you might get, it seems they'd be able to do a pretty good job of getting it clean.
for future reference, don't take your stuff to the dry cleaners. prolly better to hand wash or something.
I had wash all of my garb in cold water. I fill the wash machine half full and wash everything out the old fashioned way, by hand. I use a little spray 'n wash as needed on shirts and chemises. I then drain the wash machine - and repeat the wash to get the dirty water rinsed out. I then line dry in the basement laundry room. I'd be to affraid to take the garb to the dry cleaner. Plus they'd charge me an arm & a leg for it.
The faux fur on the velvet will not allow that as well as all the jewlery on it.
I hand wash my chemise and undergarments. I usually wash my chemise and undergarments right away a full day of wearing them at faire in order to remove an makeup marks or sweat stains, etc before they set in.
. My gowns i try to brush them off, or spot clean them during the season, and then have them dry clean, but this year i find myself in the same perdictiment as Lady de Laney. I have a velvet gown made out of heavy velvet , and it has hand embroidery on it, and grommets, and i'm concern about taking it to a dry cleaner. so any cleaning suggestions would be helpful ! ( i know back in the renaissance period, they did not have the laundry facilities that we have today, but they must have had some way of cleaning the gowns, besides brushing them, cause they surely got dragged thru dust and dirt.)
At present I don't have anything with a lot of beading or fur on it, but for things I can't wash (and I absolutely REFUSE to have a chemise that can't be machine washed and dried. Life is too short.), I will steam them in the dryer. I would *love* to have one of those fancy LG dryers with the steam setting... but until then, I throw my garb in the dryer with a wet (not soaking/dripping, but not wrung out until damp, either) towel, turn the dryer on high, and let them tumble in there together for 30 minutes or so.
It's great for getting wrinkles out of silk, wool, and velveteen, and for blowing out so much of the dust you pick up at fair.
***
In period, fabrics like velvet, wool, etc were often brushed clean, and there were techniques and products for spot-cleaning. All undergarments were linen, which were washed as often as possible. John Styles, in THE DRESS OF THE PEOPLE, has a wonderful chapter on laundry that covers all that. :)
Much of my clothing is washed in the washer and dried in the dryer.
Smock/chemises/partlets - Nobles wore a fresh smock everyday. I also like to put on a fresh smock everyday, so I find it absolutely essential to wash these after EVERY wearing. Fortunately, linen just gets better and better after every wash. More delicate partlets are hand washed and drip dry.
Corsets - I WILL wash during the season if it has been particularly hot. Certainly after the end of the season. When I do wash, it is in the washer but it drip dries. That's why I love duct ties for boning - they make the corset machine washable.
Farthingale - I wash at the end of the season. I remove the hoops and wash. Rehoop after.
Underskirts - I have very little trim and/or beading on my foreparts, so they get chucked in the washer and dryer on a regular basis. And I like it that way so I am really dragging my feet on adding any trim/beading to them.
Overskirts - Only at the end of the season unless something happens like spilling a smoothie on myself. I rely on brushing and spot cleaning, otherwise. I remove the aglets or other things which would be damaged by regular washing/drying and reattach them afterwards. There are others on this forum who wash their beaded foreparts and gowns in the washer. They will probably weigh in with tips.
Bodices - If worn over a corset, only if I think it really needs it, which would not be very often. Bodices not worn over a corset are washed as needed, just like with corsets.
Corsets- I wash by hand in warm water in the bath tub at least twice a year.
Chemises, Partlets- Gentle Cycle in warm water, cold rinse. Hang dry. Iron
Bodices, over and underskirts- I use AMWAY's L.O.C.(Liquid Organic Cleaner), warm water, and a clean washcloth. Very safe to use on any fabric that collects dirt and sweat. Hang dry. Iron where needed.
I will also pre-soak the stubborn stuff in warmer water with some TryZyme to get out stubborn organic stains. I seldom take garb to the cleaners anymore.
My chemises and gowns that aren't heavily beaded go in the good old washing machine. I just let them dry out on the clothes line. (well, sometimes. Other times I just put the dryer on tumble low and it's fine)
Any beaded dress either gets stuffed into a pillow sack and put into the washer (on low) or gets hand washed in the bath tub.
There is zero reason to take a dress to the dry cleaners. Honestly? They do far more harm then good to most gowns and outfits. It's not hard to wash the dress or outfit in the bathtub with a bunch of oxyclean and a bit of detergent. Just hang it up to dry afterwards and your dress/outfit is fine.
There is a terrific product called FRESH AGAIN that is sold through certain retailers and independent distributors.
When I worked a the Costume shop, we had a lot on hand to spray in shoes, hats, garments that would get very sewaty. What this product does is kill the enzymes that cause odors. Wet, damp, Atheletic Shoes?? No problem with some Fresh Again. That with a good cleaning and garb is good as new.
To clean my coined dance bra I spray the inside with a mixture of 1/2 water and 1/2 vodka and let it dry on the clothesline. This mix kills bacteria and makes any sweaty smells go away.
So far the only beaded things I've made are the sleeves in my avi and those have been machine washed on gentle and drip dried. Everything else I own is washable- underthings after every wearing and outer wear at the end of the season or if it gets muddy. My farthingale gets sloshed around in the bathtub and my corset with duct ties goes right into the washer.
Quote from: Lady Kathleen of Olmsted on June 30, 2008, 11:09:12 PM
Corsets- I wash by hand in warm water in the bath tub at least twice a year.
Chemises, Partlets- Gentle Cycle in warm water, cold rinse. Hang dry. Iron
Bodices, over and underskirts- I use AMWAY's L.O.C.(Liquid Organic Cleaner), warm water, and a clean washcloth. Very safe to use on any fabric that collects dirt and sweat. Hang dry. Iron where needed.
I will also pre-soak the stubborn stuff in warmer water with some TryZyme to get out stubborn organic stains. I seldom take garb to the cleaners anymore.
***hijack
My hubby works at Alticor/Amway and prints the boxes for TryZyme.
Well first and foremost I would be VERY careful on what you take to a cleaners and KNOW you cleaners first before you take any garb to them. Our Queen at VARF had just created a GORGEOUS heavily embroidered red satin dress with embroidered silk organza and took it to the cleaners and they completely destroyed the dress! They used something that took bleed the red onto the white silk organza and then to try to fix that they bleached the whole thing in clorine!!!!! Its destroyed and they refuse to do anything to compensate her saying its her fault. So unless you know the dry cleaners STAY AWAY with garb!
As far as my personal garb, first I wash ALL fabrics and dry them in the dryer prior to making the garb so there is no way it will bleed. Then I hand wash it with cold water and Woolite or Oxyclean and let it drip dry. This is the only thing I can do with my garb as all my doublets and capes are heavily beaded and any machine washing will destroy it. All the rest of my garb goes in the washer and dryer. Wife has removable hoops for the farthingale so we just take them out and throw it in the washer and dryer. Her underskirt has a forepart that ties on so we untie that and wash the underskirt too. The bodice, overskirt and foreparts get washed the same way as my doublets. Works great!
I hand wash every bodice I have, and hang it to dry, I know the care I take with my corrset and bodices and the bonning that is in them, so I clean them myself. The blommers I wash in tha machine but I pull them out to dry. I found out the hard not put thm in a dryer, my hat i keep in a plastic bag most of the time to keep dust of it and simply take it out when needed. My fans with the feathers i do the same. Hope I`am doing things right. ;D
I've discovered that a good way to minimize the need to wash/clean garb is to spray it beforehand with a weather-proofing spray (like what you use for shoes). Just make sure to test it first on bits of fabric left over from making the garb. With my garb sprayed like that, after Faire, it just needed to be brushed off, the hemline of the gown was all that needed washing, then aired out and it was fine.
Anything leather (especially hats and boots) get rubbed with Dubbin (works better than spray for keeping rain off), and feathers in the hats get a gentle misting of hairspray (followed by weather-proof spray if heavier rains are expected).
What a wonderful subject and great advice!!
Keep it up!!! ;D
Quote from: AnyuBoo on July 01, 2008, 11:32:59 AM
I've discovered that a good way to minimize the need to wash/clean garb is to spray it beforehand with a weather-proofing spray (like what you use for shoes). Just make sure to test it first on bits of fabric left over from making the garb. With my garb sprayed like that, after Faire, it just needed to be brushed off, the hemline of the gown was all that needed washing, then aired out and it was fine.
WOW I love that idea. never thought of it. Toki takes extra care of his boots as he know's leather well (He makes belts, pouches gloves and many other things) So after each use he cleans them off, then mink oils them (or something like it) and they look brand new still.
I'll look into the weather-proofiing spray.
there is nothing that i have that cant be washed at home. Granted I dont wear nobles but I dont like having things that cant be washed!
But maybe if you make your own garb and you want to put fur on it try to make the fur detachable so that you can wash it with out taking the fluff outta the fur...
Underwear (smocks, bloomers, socks, partlets) get washed at the end of the weekend, one set for each day. Wenchy skirts get washed when they get dirty or if it's rained and they're muddy, it's just easier to rinse off the mud and toss the whole thing in the washer. All this is machine wash and mostly tumble dry (blackworked things get line dried) since all my fabric gets washed and machine dried at least once so it's already bled and shrunk all its going to.
Some of my nobles are dry-clean only, however I'm trying to get away from that as I replace garments. Those get dry-cleaned fairly frequently since dust shakes out but somehow I always end up getting the overskirts muddy. Washable overskirts and forepanels are machine washed gentle after hand-washing the dirty areas.
Heavily beaded items are pinned to a sheet along the outside and then spot pinned here and there before hand washing. The sheet and pins keeps the beads from rubbing against each other and catching and etc., especially helpful if you have prong-set jewels (I did it for two girls dresses, and NEVER AGAIN!!!)
Bodices, corsets, and sleeves are machine-washed gentle and hung to dry as they get funky, febreze is good.
Dayna
First off, I have to second Lady Kathleen's recommendation of Fresh Again! This stuff has saved my life doing outdoor theatre in June. It gets rid of even the worst b.o. with just a few sprays and once it does it's thing, it doesn't smell at all. Some of my actors have in the past complained about the smell as I spray costumes, but that's b/c I've been spraying over 100 pieces at one time! When all I'm spraying is one or tow costumes, it's not too bad and it evaporates quickly. You can buy it from the maker at their website: http://www.fresh-again.com/ (http://www.fresh-again.com/)
I machine wash on a gentle cycle just about everything. Smocks, socks and bloomers go in almost as soon as I'm home. Depending on the item they are either hung up to dry or tossed in the dryer.
I wash everything else on an as needed basis, but most things have been in the washer at some point. If it's caked in mud, it's getting washed. Even the beaded stuff is washer safe, I just use the "hand wash" setting which agitates intermittently. I try as much as possible to shake out the dirt from gowns and underskirts and then determine if they need washing or not. If all they need is a quick freshening, I use the Dry Cleaners' Secret sheets in the dryer.
Once a year, before the season starts, I wash all of my smocks and Joe's shirts in Rit SunGuard. I burn too easily to take a chance on my sunblock giving out on me & since he rarely remembers to put any on, I know he's better protected as well.
Rit Sungard???
Pray tell, what is it, where can I get it, what does it cost, how long does it last?
Dayna, aka Lobster Woman (I burn looking out the window on a sunny day)
I am MARRIED to velvet because of the ease of cleaning. Dirt brushes right off, and when I need a good cleaning, I hose those puppies down in the back yard by spreading them across a couple of patio chairs, spraying with a mild soap, or watered down Woolite, and letting them air dry. I am of course speaking of the over dresses. My kirtles, underskirts, and chemises go in the machine, and depending if there is beading, I either hang them up to dry outside or throw them in the dryer.
That sounds very similar to what I do. Except I take the hand attachment with the brush on a vac and get the dust and heavy dirt off 1st then wash it outside with soap and water.
One thing I would be worried about with Wollitte is I used to work in a womens clothing store and they said Manufactors recommend not using Woolitte on anything but wool as it breaks down the materials faster than normal and in some cases destroy them outright.
Not sure how true it was, but it came from our higher ups in the company.
SunGaurd is available with Rit dyes in many stores, like Joann, Michael's, etc. Basically, you wash your items in it and it gives them the fabric equivalent to an SPF 15. Not a ton of sun protection, but when it's cloth that's the first barrier, it's better than just using sunblock. They say it lasts for over 3 months of "normal" washing, but I just do my stuff that's worn at faire once a year, I figure it can't hurt it.
Hmmm...what about this:
No matter how quickly I wash my chemises after I wear them, I wind up with yellowish stains in the underarm area after a few wearings. I'm afraid to use bleach because...it's bleach. SO, I usually hand scrub the daylights out of the area, which helps a little (I think), but the stain is still there.
I've tried switching deodorants, used spot-cleaners (like stain stick), etc. all to no avail...so I must conclude that it's me. I think my sweat just stains, period. Go figure. I mean, I know all sweat will stain, it's just that mine seems to be particularly good (and fast) at it.
Do any of you know if Oxyclean will take those pesky stains out? Or any other product? I have a few chemises that have embroidery on them that I'm afraid won't hold out too well to my usual scrub-a-thon.
Thanks in advance!
OH, and as to the original subject: I echo everyone's comment about hand-washing. Pre-wash everything first before you start sewing and you should be fine.
I do have a tip to add, though. For my (rayon/silk blend) velvet Elizabethan gown (http://www.myfairelady.com/contract-queens/fullsize-picture.php?id=2 (http://www.myfairelady.com/contract-queens/fullsize-picture.php?id=2)), I hand-wash in the tub, use a bunch of towels to blot as much of the excess water out, hang it up to drip to get more water out, and when I think the dryer can handle what's left, I put the garment in with a couple of dry towels and a sheet of cling-free and tumble for no more than 5 minutes on low or just air dry. The tumbling helps to return the pile to it's original shape, and no wrinkles! I then hang it outside to finish drying.
Mollymishap,
You are not alone in trying to get rid of yellow sweat stains.
It seems to be caused by the combination of ingredients in antiperspirants with sweat.
The most common solution I have seen when I did a search online is a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide and boiling water to rinse. Degreasers seem to help also. (I see a lot of oils mentioned in the ingredient list of antiperspirants.)
The active ingredient in Oxyclean is hydrogen peroxide. Most people say save the money and go with the baking soda/hydrogen peroxide/boiling water solution.
So, I am off to experiment!
you might also try using a good old fashioned bar of Fels Naptha soap. It's amazing for getting rid of stains and it's hand to keep a bar around since it's the only thing I know of that will cut the sting of nettles and the itch of poison ivy quickly and easily.
Currently all of my noble clothing is washable, and I will really always try to keep it that way. That said, however, the one outfit that I do dry clean I take to the dry cleaner who cleans the costuming for the local professional opera company. I called the opera and connected with their costuming department to find out who they used. It's out of my way, but I really only do the dry cleaning once at the end of the season before I put things away. It's also more expensive, but it's worth it because they KNOW how to handle the fancy trims / beading / etc that's on expensive costuming.
Ya know Peggy, I have been thinking about getting some bars of Fels Naptha for the longest time. (Since you first mentioned it on Margo's list, IIRC.)
Mentioning that it reduces the sting of nettles made me decide to order it. We certainly have no end of burning nettles in our backyard.
I recently purchased a steamer...for all my suits i wear :D
so basically I do the same to my costuming...its the basics of what the dry cleaners do...and it cleans by shooting steam through the clothing...Its also phenominal at taking stains out (with the little brush attachment) and leaves my clothing wrinkle free :D
Quote from: Baroness Doune on July 06, 2008, 11:29:25 AM
Mentioning that it reduces the sting of nettles made me decide to order it. We certainly have no end of burning nettles in our backyard.
The Cub in Chanhassen has it in the laundry aisle, you might be able to get it near you too.
I am only middles so all my garb is washable so far. BUT, I did hear a great tip at Valhalla this year. Valhalla is a VERY dusty fair and many of us wondered if we were just spreading the dirt around when we washed our garb. The wash water gets filthy! Rather than washing it twice, someone suggested putting a tennis ball in the dryer and tumbling your garb BEFORE washing. The ball knocks off most of the dust!
I don't know if dryers would be wise for those with beaded work that could catch and snag, but a gentle beating of the garb on the clothesline would be just as good as a tennis ball in the dryer:)
I did a search for steamers and this thread popped up - I was curious to see if anyone had a clothing steamer and if so who makes it? - I detest ironing with a passion and would love to use a steamer on cotton skirts/shirts - Looking for a portable steamer that travels well - Thanks for any help
One of our performers hangs up his VERY fancy Noble garb outside and sprays it with a light misting of cheap vodka, swear to God.
Next day it is completely wearable with no smell of sweat OR vodka!
He's been doing this for several years with no deleterious effects to his garb.
I don't really have noble garb yet, but as for things i can't just throw in the washing machine (which is where ALL of my skirts go) I have to hand wash everything very carefully in my tiny dorm sink, so it honestly doesnt happen as often as it should. Febreeze is a wonderful thing in my opinion. I usually febreeze everything as soon as i take it off so the smell doesnt sink in. Besides this I usually just spot clean as needed.
Quote from: VIII on November 25, 2009, 10:46:04 AM
One of our performers hangs up his VERY fancy Noble garb outside and sprays it with a light misting of cheap vodka, swear to God.
Next day it is completely wearable with no smell of sweat OR vodka!
He's been doing this for several years with no deleterious effects to his garb.
At the theatre I worked at this summer, we sprayed all the costumes with a mixture of vodka and water. Sure enough, no stench!
Several of the costumers I know use the vodka trick. Just be careful with fake pearls- the vodka strips the coating right off.
So no one uses a steamer for their garb?? I tried this downy wrinkle releaser but, that didn't work - any non ironing suggestions?
I really have no choice in the matter. My kings robes HAVE to go to the dry cleaners. However I have been doing business with them for years and have a good rapport with them. We count all of the jewels and make sure that is the count when I get them back. Some have come off but so far they have been found and reattached. For the BLAKDUKE outfit(pictured) my wife uses a product called DRYELL which can be purchased at the local grocery store. We also use the water/vodka combo and for instant shower at the last minute FABREEZE is fabulous.
I LOVE the use of vodka when cleaning garb. I toss all undergarments and skirts in the washer, have a shot of vodka. Hand wash bodices in the tub. Have another shot of vodka. Towel dry the bodices. Have another shot of vodka. Put the washing machine in the dryer, have another shot of vokda, hang up the bodice, stumble to the laundry room and search for the missing undergarments. Oh, there they are, still in the washing machine. hmmph. Think I had better have another shot of ... hey, where has all the vodka gone?
I concur with BLAKDUKE. I've been using Dryel for years now, and it does a great job on frock coats. All those dem buttons. But I will try the vodka......
Hey, where's my vodka...?
Quote from: Betty Munro on November 29, 2009, 10:36:15 AM
Put the washing machine in the dryer, have another shot of vokda,
??? :o so how
did you get that whole washing machine into the dryer? ;D
Ciao Tutti,
For my wardrobe, I am able to dry clean it, depending on the quality of the dry cleaners. When it comes to noble's garb there is simply no way to be to careful, because as I am sure you all know it is an expensive mistake to repair or replace. That is why I only do this very rarely, normally once after a long season's run. In the normal everyday I use a different method.
I used to work in Disney Entertainment and a little trick I picked up there is to buy isopropyl alcohol 70% is standard and okay, but a mildly diluted 90% or so is better (though it is harder to find; it also takes off prosthetics and stage makeup too in case you wanted to know). Again you have to be careful in making sure there is nothing in your fabric dye that will bleed. Basically if you spray it right after you take it off, both inside and out, you will preserve the wardrobe better since it will not only kill the bacteria than can grow on a sweat doublet or bodice, but also eliminate the smell and clean it. A light brushing may help as well after spaying if needed. Just thought I would share.
Vincente
Quote from: mollymishap on July 06, 2008, 08:16:52 AM
Hmmm...what about this:
No matter how quickly I wash my chemises after I wear them, I wind up with yellowish stains in the underarm area after a few wearings. I'm afraid to use bleach because...it's bleach. SO, I usually hand scrub the daylights out of the area, which helps a little (I think), but the stain is still there.
Well I used to work in a Laundramat for 10 years and here are a few of our trick to clean the nasty clothes we used to get in.
For a plain white chemise: soak in hot water and automatic dishwashing detergent. I does not have to be a particular brand but the soak should be at least 30 minutes.
For your decorated chemise: Make a paste of vinger and baking soda rub throughly into the affected area then wash as usual.
Once you get the stains out, try wearing stain shields for under arms.
Hope this helps!
Nailin - I bought a travel steamer and started using the daylights out of it, because of Lucy using her steamer. I went for a more portable option and I love it! Mine's by Conair and I got it at K-Mart
Thanks Captain! I wanted other people's thoughts as I don't want to waste my money on something that isn't going to work - Do you know any other details for the one you have other than it's a Conair? - Are you on facebook? - Nailin'
http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_10104_00862094000P?keyword=steamer&sid=S-on-Kx20k061224x0000002
There's the steamer I have. I would have gotten the awesome one that has the rod for hanging, but again, I got this one for portability.
i have had a mishap. i have this leather purse i bought a few years back from a wagon at TRF.
yesterday i was at sherwood forest faire, which had horrible weather. too make a long story short i was carrying hot chocolate and the wind caused it to spill onto my purse.
not sure what i can use to clean it, or maybe just wipe it off?
Quote from: Luna on March 21, 2010, 06:05:41 PM
i have had a mishap. i have this leather purse i bought a few years back from a wagon at TRF.
yesterday i was at sherwood forest faire, which had horrible weather. too make a long story short i was carrying hot chocolate and the wind caused it to spill onto my purse.
not sure what i can use to clean it, or maybe just wipe it off?
If it's smooth leather, then yes just wipe it off with a towel and clean water!
I stained my leather skirt last year. I took it to a leather cleaner (dry cleaning place) and they did a wonderful job!
From what he explained to me it's clean all or nothing and you risk changing the color when you do. But mine came out perfect.
It was worth the $15! I don't know if that helps. Good luck.