"One of the reasons we love vintage clothing so much is that these pieces have lasted through time. Whether treasured away in the back of gran’s closet, mended and passed through multiple hands over 50 years, or rescued after being stuffed in an attic trunk, they may require a little more love than modern clothing."

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Laundry Guide

Storage Guide

Laundry Guide

Learn how to launder your vintage treasures to keep them in top condition.

Firstly, don't wash your vintage unless you have to!

Do you need to wash the whole item? Or can you get away with washing just the underarms or hem?

For antiques (pre 1920s) and special fabrics (velvet, beading, pre 1940s gelatin sequins, starch etc.) we advise not to wash at all, or to wash dirty areas at your discretion due to the risk of old silk shattering, beads rusting, or sequins melting.

And...always avoid heat and machine dryers!

With any item you purchase from Halcyon Days Vintage we'll give you advice on how best to care for that specific item. If you're looking for a little extra advice please reach out.

The best way to wash your vintage.

=> We suggest using a basic unscented soap for wool and silk and a gentle detergent for other fibres. Only use oxygen bleaches for stains, not chlorine based.

=> Its a good idea to spot check an inconspicuous patch and coloured embroidery to check for colour run.

1. Do up zips and fastenings, remove pads removed and any rusting metal (de-rust or replace these).

2. Pre-treat with stain remover if needed.

3. For delicate or antique items line your basin with a plain cotton sheet.

4. Dissolve 1-3 TB of detergent in lukewarm water then fill with lukewarm/cold water.

5. Add your garment for 20 - 30 minutes, occasionally agitating.

6. If the water is dark then drain and wash again.

7. Rinse in cold water 2-3 times until water is clear and suds free.

8. Drain and press the water out (do not wring).

9. Carefully lift the garment out, with the sheet if you used one, and roll up in a clean towel to absorb water.

10. Air dry flat on a rack, out of the sun.

Hand washing

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Thinking about how you store your vintage items will can help you maintain their splendour for years to come!

Storing your vintage the best way will help prevent damage from insects, mould, wood, and clothes hangers.

For your everyday vintage:

• Use padded hangers, bought or made. Check out our blog on diy hangers. For long or heavy skirts catch these up on a second hanger to spread the weight. You can also pad trouser clips.

• Fold/roll woollen, heavy or beaded garments and store in a drawer or on a shelf.

• Store behind a door or curtain to protect from dust and sunlight.

• Keep an eye on moisture levels, rusting metal hangers, insects, dust and anything that may snag on items. Good housekeeping means a good wardrobe.

• Avoid storing in plastic tubs, bags or covers as this can cause oxidation- aka ‘foxing’.

For your extra special vintage:

• Store flat and preferably in an acid-free box or wrapped in lignin-free and acid-free tissue paper. Pad out the folds with bunches of the same tissue. Use buffered acid-free tissue paper for most fabrics and unbuffered acid-free tissue paper for silk and wool items.

• Store accessories in unbleached and pre-washed cotton bags or pillowcases to keep dust away.

• Cover shoulders of garments with an extra cotton cover (made out of a large square of cotton with a whole in the middle for the clothes hanger neck.

• Once a year wash your cotton covers and check for insect activity, especially clothes moth and carpet beetle. Then re-fold any folded or flat garments along different seams.

Storage Guide