Several weeks ago there was a posting on washing tunics. I was not able to respond due to a busy schedule. I usually don’t drop product names due in part of being accused of receiving kick backs from companies. Sorry fellas, that's far from the truth.<O
</O
I am not a fan of the Dry Cleaning process of antique fabric. I know that I’ll hear about it from the Nay Sayers on this site for some time to come. There are a lot of people that quickly jump on the 'me too' platform without researching a thing who have all the answers to conservation questions. As collectors we spend hours, days, years researching a tunic that we eagerly want to buy. We study certain battles, certain maneuvers etc.
<O</O
But we throw all common sense out when it comes to taking care of our several thousand dollar tunics. I don’t understand it.
First of all there are many ways to clean and maintain antique fabrics. There are very few methods that are a good way to clean and preserve them.
For cleaning those Family Heirloom items from Grandma’s handmade quilt to Grandpa’s military tunic. There is no one sizes fits all approach to cleaning antique fabric. The best rule of thumb is: If you are unsure how to clean your military uniform. Either leave it alone or conduct a simple research and ask questions until you are completely comfortable with any cleaning process! If you are confused on which method is best. I recommend conferencing with a textile conservator to get more information on your specific fabric, or military uniform. Don't settle for one opinion only.
<O</O
DO NOT EVER DRY CLEAN ANY VINTAGE OR ANTIQUE FABRIC MATERIAL! HERE’S WHY YOU SHOULD NOT DRY CLEAN OR USE WOOLLITE.<O</O
<O</O
WHY NOT? EVERYBODY ELSE IS? Antique and Vintage Fabrics are generally organic materials such as cotton and wools with other natural fibers. Organic materials were once alive and made into thread, cloth, and fabric. These all have cell structures that can deteriorate with time. Products like soap and other chemical treatments help destroy plant cell structures. A lot of these also contain fabric brighteners and chemical softeners. Dry Cleaning would certainly have damaging effects. Even with the Dry Cleaners new approach to a safer green clean “The Green Dry Clean Chemicals”. These are chemicals no matter how it’s sliced, diced of cut in to new catch phases. No matter how “green” they claim to be they are not.
T o put this into simple terms we ourselves are organic and we don't take chemical baths, use harsh detergents, or go through the dry cleaning process... So, why on earth would you submit your antique fabric or military tunic to such a process? If you clean your favorite military tunic like you clean yourself. Your military tunic life expectancy will be greatly extended. Cleaners can only clean and not bring new life back to any material. However, organic material can be cleaned up nicely if it has been preserved and not exposed to a great deal of improper storage, chemicals, harsh detergents that leave residue, and doesn't use bleach like cleaners. These tunics will have a very, very long life span. So what can you use safely without damaging your prizes possessions? There are some products that are out there that can safely clean your military tunic and will do no harm. One product that comes to mind is a neutral soap called ORVUS.
<O</O
ORVUS is a white paste that is fairly neutral based ph balanced soap that’s made by Proctor & Gamble. It’s been around for almost 50 years and is highly sought after and is used by and advanced quilters, and textile conservators. I have used it myself on my tunics.
ORVUS has sodium lauryl sulfate (The active cleaning ingredient) and is a wetting agent. ORVUS is an excellent choice for washing your handmade quilts and antique linens as it will not strip or fade the colors or weaken the fabric and is organically safe. ORVUS actually makes water wetter and will not leave a residue on your tunic. ORVUS soap and water mixture gets into the fibers of the fabric easily to float out the dirt and oils. When Orvus is warm it has a liquid property and when cool, or cold, it has a paste property and can be used in either state. Just be sure to mix Orvus into the wash water so it is evenly distributed before washing any antique fabric.
ORVUS is a neutral synthetic extremely gentle and highly effective cleaner which is soluble in both lukewarm and cold water and rinses out freely. Of course do not wash any wool or plant based material in HOT WATER.
No chemicals, no residue. Unlike Woolite, ORVUS contains no bleaches and doesn't discolor or fade dyes to harm any type of fabric from lace to fine vintage wool rugs.
Overall ORVUS is a high sudsing soap to clean your fine tunics, or fabrics. The down side is ORVUS leaves behind a very faint fresh scent. Leaves fabrics, clothes soft, and not stiff feeling. You only need a teaspoonful for hand washing! A little goes a long way and is fabulous for all sorts of vintage clothing. It contains no phosphates to harm delicate fabrics and the surfactants are1 00% biodegradable. How much greener can you get?
<O</O
At last... Remember when the tunic or other vintage material is wet it is very venerable stage. It is ofcourse heavy with water. So don't go pulling it out of the standinf water. Please do not wring it out completely gently squeeze out the water out. If need be have another person help you lift out the tunic after you have rinsed to several times use plenty of towels and slowly air dry.
</OI am not a fan of the Dry Cleaning process of antique fabric. I know that I’ll hear about it from the Nay Sayers on this site for some time to come. There are a lot of people that quickly jump on the 'me too' platform without researching a thing who have all the answers to conservation questions. As collectors we spend hours, days, years researching a tunic that we eagerly want to buy. We study certain battles, certain maneuvers etc.
<O
</OBut we throw all common sense out when it comes to taking care of our several thousand dollar tunics. I don’t understand it.
First of all there are many ways to clean and maintain antique fabrics. There are very few methods that are a good way to clean and preserve them.
For cleaning those Family Heirloom items from Grandma’s handmade quilt to Grandpa’s military tunic. There is no one sizes fits all approach to cleaning antique fabric. The best rule of thumb is: If you are unsure how to clean your military uniform. Either leave it alone or conduct a simple research and ask questions until you are completely comfortable with any cleaning process! If you are confused on which method is best. I recommend conferencing with a textile conservator to get more information on your specific fabric, or military uniform. Don't settle for one opinion only.
<O
</ODO NOT EVER DRY CLEAN ANY VINTAGE OR ANTIQUE FABRIC MATERIAL! HERE’S WHY YOU SHOULD NOT DRY CLEAN OR USE WOOLLITE.<O
</O<O
</OWHY NOT? EVERYBODY ELSE IS? Antique and Vintage Fabrics are generally organic materials such as cotton and wools with other natural fibers. Organic materials were once alive and made into thread, cloth, and fabric. These all have cell structures that can deteriorate with time. Products like soap and other chemical treatments help destroy plant cell structures. A lot of these also contain fabric brighteners and chemical softeners. Dry Cleaning would certainly have damaging effects. Even with the Dry Cleaners new approach to a safer green clean “The Green Dry Clean Chemicals”. These are chemicals no matter how it’s sliced, diced of cut in to new catch phases. No matter how “green” they claim to be they are not.
T o put this into simple terms we ourselves are organic and we don't take chemical baths, use harsh detergents, or go through the dry cleaning process... So, why on earth would you submit your antique fabric or military tunic to such a process? If you clean your favorite military tunic like you clean yourself. Your military tunic life expectancy will be greatly extended. Cleaners can only clean and not bring new life back to any material. However, organic material can be cleaned up nicely if it has been preserved and not exposed to a great deal of improper storage, chemicals, harsh detergents that leave residue, and doesn't use bleach like cleaners. These tunics will have a very, very long life span. So what can you use safely without damaging your prizes possessions? There are some products that are out there that can safely clean your military tunic and will do no harm. One product that comes to mind is a neutral soap called ORVUS.
<O
</OORVUS is a white paste that is fairly neutral based ph balanced soap that’s made by Proctor & Gamble. It’s been around for almost 50 years and is highly sought after and is used by and advanced quilters, and textile conservators. I have used it myself on my tunics.
ORVUS has sodium lauryl sulfate (The active cleaning ingredient) and is a wetting agent. ORVUS is an excellent choice for washing your handmade quilts and antique linens as it will not strip or fade the colors or weaken the fabric and is organically safe. ORVUS actually makes water wetter and will not leave a residue on your tunic. ORVUS soap and water mixture gets into the fibers of the fabric easily to float out the dirt and oils. When Orvus is warm it has a liquid property and when cool, or cold, it has a paste property and can be used in either state. Just be sure to mix Orvus into the wash water so it is evenly distributed before washing any antique fabric.
ORVUS is a neutral synthetic extremely gentle and highly effective cleaner which is soluble in both lukewarm and cold water and rinses out freely. Of course do not wash any wool or plant based material in HOT WATER.
No chemicals, no residue. Unlike Woolite, ORVUS contains no bleaches and doesn't discolor or fade dyes to harm any type of fabric from lace to fine vintage wool rugs.
Overall ORVUS is a high sudsing soap to clean your fine tunics, or fabrics. The down side is ORVUS leaves behind a very faint fresh scent. Leaves fabrics, clothes soft, and not stiff feeling. You only need a teaspoonful for hand washing! A little goes a long way and is fabulous for all sorts of vintage clothing. It contains no phosphates to harm delicate fabrics and the surfactants are1 00% biodegradable. How much greener can you get?
<O
</OAt last... Remember when the tunic or other vintage material is wet it is very venerable stage. It is ofcourse heavy with water. So don't go pulling it out of the standinf water. Please do not wring it out completely gently squeeze out the water out. If need be have another person help you lift out the tunic after you have rinsed to several times use plenty of towels and slowly air dry.
Comment