Do You Dry Clean, Wash, Iron Vintage Clothing?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Out Of The Attic 2u on July 11, 2011 at 8:08pm

Me personally will leave any cleaning up to the buyer. I will shake the dust out if any, and definetely will not buy any clothing with stains, etc as I don't have the time to do just what you are doing. I will iron or or use a steamer to get any wrinkles out. I haven't yet tried the "Dryel" heard it was good though not sure if I would put them in the dryer. Anyone here try that yet?

Valerie do you think I should clean the clothing even though they are not dirty??? I want to do what is right for the buyer.

Thanks

barbra

Permalink Reply by Resurrections on July 11, 2011 at 8:23pm

 

I do the minimum needed to make an item presentable.

If it is not "dirty", it does not need to be cleaned

 

Smell is very important, however. I use the "Dryel' for most things.

I Have used it on many kinds of fabrics. It is really a great tool with vintage clothing.

The best trick I have found is a small ozone machine (less than $20 sold for putting oxygen in water). I put the item in a plastic zip bag (like the ones bedspreads come in),  run the ozone tube into the bag for 10 to 20 minutes and Vola' all musty, oldie, attic smell is gone!

 

For taking pictures I find that steaming is a must. Sometimes pressing on cotton items is best.

 

I only wash items that are not too old and were made to be washed...as a tag that says "washable"

 

I find that preparing a vintage item for selling is my favorite thing, so sometimes I do get carried away.

 

Have Fun, Esther

Permalink Reply by valerie cifaldi on July 11, 2011 at 8:32pm

Dryel was next to useless in my opinion.

 I rarely list clothing any more due to the time and trouble (and i have a lot of it!). I did not clean for the first 8 years selling online  and boldly (in caps) listed items as unlaundered but got lots of W. Coast dealers who complained/ left bad feedback etc. (in the last two years).  As an experiment I tried to fancy the joint up a bit but the work and cost was too much in my opinion.

I am staring at 100 pieces of vintage clothing and thinking about selling it again. Maybe Etsy or Ruby Plaza this time... no more feebay as I can't deal with the nutty broads thinking that all people in the "fly over zone" are marks/ suckers.

 

Where do you sell?

Permalink Reply by Out Of The Attic 2u on July 12, 2011 at 3:16am

I sell on ecrater and rubyplaza. I just started selling on rubyplaza with the clothing. I will have to put that in my listings about not being laundered to protect myself.

I rarely sell on ebay anymore, i also started on artfire recently and webstore which does nothing for me but its a place at the moment for my magazines which I still have tons to list. Though I just might give up the webstore and put my mags in my bookstore.

Permalink Reply by valerie cifaldi on July 12, 2011 at 4:45am

Esther,

  you are a genius! I have an ozone machine on my desk to keep the musty smell out of my office but it never occured to me to use it on the actual items.

 you brought up an interesting topic, though. smells not just unpleasant odors (even dryer sheets, perfume, etc.)  is a huge issue. i understand allergies etc, mine are horrid and getting worse with age, but honestly often i smell nothing and the buyer does. we air out on the back sun porch mostly now.

Permalink Reply by Resurrections on July 12, 2011 at 8:14am

valerie cifaldi said:

Esther,

  you are a genius! I have an ozone machine on my desk to keep the musty smell out of my office but it never occured to me to use it on the actual items.

 you brought up an interesting topic, though. smells not just unpleasant odors (even dryer sheets, perfume, etc.)  is a huge issue. i understand allergies etc, mine are horrid and getting worse with age, but honestly often i smell nothing and the buyer does. we air out on the back sun porch mostly now.

 

Use the ozone!!! No smells remain!! Just like fresh air

Permalink Reply by valerie cifaldi on July 13, 2011 at 2:49am

Esther,

where do you sell online? and why?

 

I really need advice on this subject. I am curious about how and where people successfully sell vintage clothing.

 

Valerie

Permalink Reply by valerie cifaldi on July 13, 2011 at 3:00am

Barbra,

I am a snoop....  I love all of the vintage clothing patterns from the 1950's, 60's, and 70's in your store! What a great resource for researching styles.

Link to shop:

http://outoftheattic2u.ecrater.com/

 

Vintage Rose Collectibles said:

I sell on ecrater and rubyplaza. I just started selling on rubyplaza with the clothing. I will have to put that in my listings about not being laundered to protect myself.

I rarely sell on ebay anymore, i also started on artfire recently and webstore which does nothing for me but its a place at the moment for my magazines which I still have tons to list. Though I just might give up the webstore and put my mags in my bookstore.

Permalink Reply by Resurrections on July 13, 2011 at 3:49pm

valerie cifaldi said:

Barbra,

I am a snoop....  I love all of the vintage clothing patterns from the 1950's, 60's, and 70's in your store! What a great resource for researching styles.

Link to shop:

http://outoftheattic2u.ecrater.com/

 

Vintage Rose Collectibles said:

I sell on ecrater and rubyplaza. I just started selling on rubyplaza with the clothing. I will have to put that in my listings about not being laundered to protect myself.

I rarely sell on ebay anymore, i also started on artfire recently and webstore which does nothing for me but its a place at the moment for my magazines which I still have tons to list. Though I just might give up the webstore and put my mags in my bookstore.

 

Mostly, I have sold vintage clothing at a local street fair that happens 2 times a year. It is great fun. I keep thinking that I will get some of my nicer things on line but so far it has not happened. I started selling vintage patterns about 2 years ago on line and I love how easy they are to list. Measuring and sizing clothing and taking more really good pictures is what slows me down from selling the clothes.

Bonanza is my selling venue. And some on Esty

 

Please stop by my store anytime....

Permalink Reply by Out Of The Attic 2u on July 13, 2011 at 7:47pm

Thanks Valerie, I have a few more (maybe 50 or so) to list and yes it does help with dating vintage clothing. so dear you can snoop all you like :)

Barbara

Permalink Reply by Luv2LuvAntiques on July 28, 2011 at 8:32pm

Hello girls!

A really nice lady who I buy clothing from online, puts in her listings that vintage clothing needs to be cleaned as it has been packed away or hanging in a closet for decades, and that she is leaving the cleaning, and mending, up to the buyer.

I have only sold a vintage nightgown, and a slip, so far on etsy. On my www.oldfashionedcharm.com website, I sold a baby onesie, and on www.thevintagecrowsnest.com I sold a vintage nautical bathrobe. They were cleaned by me. I have a front loading washer and dryer. Most vintage linens, or clothing, that I clean, I hang outside on the line, on a hanger in the laundry area, or dry flat. The only things I put in the dryer are vintage chenille bedspreads. I've had the dry cleaners clean one 1960's dress so far. There are 2 more dresses I intend to take to the dry cleaners, as they cannot be washed, one being silk, and the other a chiffon 1950's prom dress.  I will have to iron a 1950's summer halter dress and jacket outfit, as it is cotton, and I've already washed it, and dried it outside on the line.

Take care, Diane :O)

Permalink Reply by Swanky Selections on August 1, 2011 at 1:40pm

I only dry clean garments that need a lot of help (ie badly wrinkled)  or an item that must look absolutely gorgeous to sell ie 1940's wedding dress. It was stored very badly, more like thrown in a trunk. I don't use regular dry cleaners though, I always use the same one. It is "green", uses no harsh chemicals etc. 

I have used the Dryel &  found that it does help with some mild odors. I always put a disclaimer about "condition of clothing, not new, I don't clean unless noted leave that up to the buyer" etc. 

The major problem I've had is buying from someone who states that there are no odors or smells but when it reaches me after being packaged,  item stinks.

Seller may not even realize it, so I've never gotten overly upset by,  it however take note of  how many dealers say "comes from a smoke free, pet free environment". That may be in their abode where the item has been for 2 weeks, but what about the original home, how do they know that! To protect myself, I never state that and don't think others should unless they honestly  know the original home of the garment. That statement is very misleading  to buyers in my opinion & could be inviting trouble.  Or maybe that's just me!  What do others think?

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