Some questions about costume cleaning and storing

[stricky345]

Ohh I hope that I found the right forum for this, if not just delete this thread, but I found my question somehow fitting .. If I caused you any trouble: Sorry!

I bought a very nice costume 3 months ago.. Since then I stored it in a plastic bag in my wardrobe (shame on me but sometimes I'm just way too lazy and I start to dislike me for that!!!! ).. The costume is made of a velour/cotton-mix with some vinyl-symbols on it.. The bad thing is that the costume has some earth-stains on it.. Do you have an idea how I can clean the costume plus the vinyl-symbols, without damaging the costume? Hope that storing it in a plastic-bag hasn't made it worse!

Thanks for your help and have a nice day!

 

[MaulWalker]

First, take the costume out of the plastic bag. That can lead to mold/mildew/costume funk. While the plastic bag is not airtight, the fabric will benefit from being able to breathe.

How are the vinyl pieces attached to the costume? Are they sewn on or heat set? That will affect cleanablity.

Lynn

 

[stricky345]

They are sewn on..

 

[SWFreak]

You need to use a "Garment bag". They are made to keep dust off of your clothing yet they don;t allow moisture to build up inside.

 

[Darth Kahnt]

I keep my Vader capes in a garmet bag and they are top notch.

 

[stricky345]

I just removed the costume from the plastic bag.. I feel more the arse for storing it in a plastic bag for so long now .. Well but I didn't see or could smell any mold or whatever *glad*.. Tried to clean the vinyl symbols with a wet polishing cloth but didn't work.. The costume could have been studio distressed.. But in one episode the character fell into sand so I guess that's where the ''earth''-stains come from..

Garment bags are plain bags made from cotton right?

Thanks for your answers so far, any more tips?

 

[Darth Kahnt]

You can get garment bags at places that sell suits, or at Ikea actually. Mine is polyester.

 

[MaulWalker]

They are sewn on..

If the vinyl pieces are sewn on, you should be able to wash the costume.

First, test the colorfastness of the fabric. Stir some Woolite or other mild detergent into a bowl of warm water. Find a hidden area of the costume, like a seam and dab some of the detergent/water mixture on it. Wipe the area with a white towel. If no color comes off on the towel, you can safely handwash the costume. Hang or lay flat to dry because a dryer may adversely affect the vinyl.

If ny color comes off on the towel, the fabric is not colorfast. In that case, you may need to spot clean the stained areas with Energine or other dry cleaning fluid.

 

[ob1al]

I'm guessing it's a screen used costume - that being the case, I wouldn't try to clean the stains off at all. They just add to the authenticity of the costume.

 

[Soundwave]

What costume is it anyway?

 

[Darth Mule]

If the vinyl pieces are sewn on, you should be able to wash the costume.

First, test the colorfastness of the fabric. Stir some Woolite or other mild detergent into a bowl of warm water. Find a hidden area of the costume, like a seam and dab some of the detergent/water mixture on it. Wipe the area with a white towel. If no color comes off on the towel, you can safely handwash the costume. Hang or lay flat to dry because a dryer may adversely affect the vinyl.

If ny color comes off on the towel, the fabric is not colorfast. In that case, you may need to spot clean the stained areas with Energine or other dry cleaning fluid.

This is just a bad idea. Just because the fabric is colorfast doesn't mean you can submerge the costume in water. We have no idea what else is in that costume. How susceptible the fabric, linings, facings, etc. are to shrinkage. Your best bet is to take it to a drycleaner. Preferably one that you can get some good word of mouth on. Ask around. If there are any local theatres, call the costume shop and ask if they can recommend a good dry cleaner. Tho if the stains are part of the costume, I don't see why you would want to remove them.

What costume is this? Might get more specific suggestions if we knew what we were advising.

 

[stricky345]

An Ori Prior cotume from Stargate