Vintage Clothing
Posted in Posters on 03/05/2010 06:43 pm by admin
How can I eliminate strong odors from vintage clothing?
My Aunt died a few months ago, and while cleaning out her storage facility, I found boxes and boxes of vintage clothing from the 1930′s, 40′s and 50′s.
There are clothes, gowns, shoes, evening bags, lingerie, gloves, aprons, scarves, hats… they are all in pristine condition, but they have this horrible smell to them. Not B.O., but just an old age smell, like they have been in storage for the last 70 years!
They are beautiful, expensive clothes and deserve to be preserved and passed on to new homes. I want to sell them, but how can I when they smell so horrible.
The clothes have been hanging out in the air for the last 2 months (in garage) and they still smell bad. I’ve tried washing those articles that could be washed, but still… they stink! Fabreeze didn’t work either. There are too many to have dry cleaned.
How can I get the smell out of these clothes. Any ideas? I really want to sell them and get top dollar, but how can I when they smell so nasty!
Charcoal, kitty litter, and baking soda all absorb odors. You can try encapsulating some items in a large plastic storage container with a largish quantity of one of the above items. I’ve done this with musty stinky books and it helps reduce the funk. You need to leave the pieces sealed up tight for at least two days – a longer timeframe does a better job.
While hanging them in the garage can help, hanging them outdoors on a sunny day is your best bet. I had a box of vintage clothing stored in my dad’s basement for about ten years. Washed them up, hung them outside, and almost all of them lost their mustiness.
People have posted a lot of good tips – if you are still stuck, see if a vintage clothing dealer can provide more help, or if they would purchase or consign “as is”.
How to Shop for Vintage Clothing: with Cate Sheehy
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Jessie Steele Carmen Bib Apron $34.00 Heirloom quality Designer Hostess Apron constructed from a fine Linen/Cotton Blend. Ties at neck and waist for easy adjusting. Contrast Bias-trimmed at edges with a flattering Drop-Waist, and Flouncy Skirt. One round-edged waist pocket with a cute flat bow gives this apron a dressed-up feel that makes it appropriate for not just cooking, but for any occasion!… |
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Sin in Linen Black Skull and Crossbones and Nautical Star Vintage Style Apron Cooking up something hot in the kitchen? Skullstar Kitchen Linens will round out your dishes. Vintage style apron ties in the back with a pocket and flirty bow in the front. Pot holder has a pocket for easy meat grabbing. The oven mitt is cut long so there’s no burning your arms pulling hot stuff from the oven. Matching curtain valances round out the look for the perfect hostess in the kitchen. Lo… |
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Anne Taintor 15-3/4 W by 15-1/2-Inch H Shopper Save the planet while you bring home the bacon [or tofu] in these Shoppers. Strong, reusable, water-resistant Shoppers feature interior pocket, nylon shoulder straps, and matching piping…. |
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Charleston Era $11.98 … |
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Vintage Collections $11.98 After Spade Cooley gave him the boot, smooth vocalist Tex Williams purloined most of his former boss’s band and went on to create some of Western swing’s most potent records. 1947′s “Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)” became Capitol’s first million-selling record, which in turn inspired other attempts at talking-blues novelty hits (many of which are included here). For this, Williams was often… |
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Martha Pullen’s Fancywork: Vintage Clothing Care and Repair, Most Beloved Embroidery Stitches, Padded Satin Stitch by Machine $29.95 Vintage Clothing: Martha Pullen shares vintage clothing and lines (restoration, preservation, reproduction, and dying). Hand Embroidery: Margaret Boyles teaches the most beloved heirloom embroidery stitches by hand. Padded Satin Stitch: Claudia Newton teaches a “brand new” technique for heirloom padded satin stitch by machine…. |
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Fancy Work – 1997-1998 $17.91 … |
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Rubbermaid 4D06 Configurations 23-Inch Foldable Laundry Hamper, Natural $9.99 Configurations Canvas Laundry Hamper, Canvas Material With Stain Resistant Lining, Collapsible For Easy Storage, 14″ x 14″ x 23″H…. |
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Vintage-look Shoe Drawer Pull Knob $2.99 Price is per each round knob as shown in the picture above. High quality wood, measuring 1-3/4 inches diameter. Mounting screw is included for quick and easy installation using a household screwdriver. Each knob is hand-decorated decoupage style and given several coats of a gloss sealant. Please allow up to 5 business days for processing. This knob can be used on cabinets, bureaus, dressers, drawe… |
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Vintage-look Shoe Drawer Pull Knob $2.99 Price is per each round knob as shown in the picture above. High quality wood, measuring 1-3/4 inches diameter. Mounting screw is included for quick and easy installation using a household screwdriver. Each knob is hand-decorated decoupage style and given several coats of a gloss sealant. Please allow up to 5 business days for processing. This knob can be used on cabinets, bureaus, dressers, drawe… |