Washing Tunics

[CWP]

It took several rinses to get to clear water. The tunic is drying now. So far, so good.

[Johnny R]

an interesting theme but curious...the thread starter posts pictures of a submerged be-sudded tunic...no before, no after. id have preferred the pre/post-dip snaps to follow....no money shots, then? if cold, the water shouldnt take any dye out. that is my understanding. id hate to think any of that primordial sludge sliding down the plug hole contained precious colouring elements tied up with the original manufacture.

Are you suggesting I am lying and the tunic was really dirty? Dye does not wash out of fabric with water or even light use of soap. Dry cleaning chemicals also are designed to not effect dye .

[Johnny R]

After I drained the water, the bottom of the tub was coated in this sludge. This is dirt, dust, lint, and other particles that I am really glad are not in the fabric any more. This soiling, probably the result of poor storage rather than wartime wear and use, can attract insects and break down the fabric fibers over the years.

I agree, the museum here has Civil War uniforms all of which also were cleaned at one time and still are flexible etc.

The parade tunic is not here and I did not think about taking pictures until I saw how dirty the water was. Here is another thread of a tunic I hand-washed showing before and after pictures-

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=326060

[Johnny R]

Before

[Johnny R]

after, when I washed this one the water was coal black. The one thing we did not talk about yet is name tag ink. That can wash out with normal soap if too much is used. That is one "danger".

[J C Gray]

I would like to add a word of caution (from my own experience) about washing tunics. I once owned a Parisienne tailored tunic which was named & dated to a Kav Rittmeister. I washed it carefully in lukewarm water (no soap) and it turned out like new...so new, in fact, that it wasn't named or dated anymore...Never again.

[Johnny R]

The tunic above would have fallen apart had I not cleaned it. There was so much slime in in the cloth was starch stiff and the fibers were actually cracking. The waffenrock had been sprayed heaviliy with some sort of 1950s anti-moth spray that I wanted to get out. I only clean when it is needed to preserve. I do not think in each case it is needed.

[JG 51]

Great thread Johnny R. Thanks for sharing your knowlage. Great good to know info

[Johnny R]

Great thread Johnny R. Thanks for sharing your knowlage. Great good to know info

You are welcome. Next time I dry clean a tunic I am going to photograph the steps and will post them here as well. I spoke with my Father as well who was in the War and is 84 now. He said before there were many dry cleaners they cleaned wool with strong chemicals and in some cases gasoline. This is an interesting read-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_cleaning

[Lenny W]

You are welcome. Next time I dry clean a tunic I am going to photograph the steps and will post them here as well. I spoke with my Father as well who was in the War and is 84 now. He said before there were many dry cleaners they cleaned wool with strong chemicals and in some cases gasoline. This is an interesting read-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_cleaning

very interesting thread Johnny

[milo1881]

SUPER thread!!!! . Thanks for all tips. now, i'm thinking in cleaning one of my tunics. i will post some pictures of the process if i do it.
best wishes.
Robert-

[Scott A. Hess]

I washed one tunic in cold water with woolite in the exact manner as here, it came out beautifully. I agree that a piece that is caked full of dirt and debris will result with the breakdown of the fibres over time, its actaully the same reason carpet breaks down, microscopically the dirt and dust/debris are sharp, and cut into the fabric. I realize a tunic is not being walked on, but still its handled, and these elements will damage the tunic. YOu can also use an attachment from a good vacuum cleaner to pick up a lot of dust and debris, which is also good to get out of a piece, you would be amazed at what a good cleaner will suck out of the tunic, just dont do it often, and you can also suck the fibre's right out of the tunic, and also, to reduce the suction, spread a nylon stocking over the vacuum attachment, I think this is a good way to loosen and get out surface as well as some dirt that is really trapped into the fabric. I"ve seen collections where panzer tunics were literally turned grey over time from dust/pollution/debris etc, and this is no way to preserve these items.

[werner]

I'm thinking to clean this flight suite.
There is some fur inside. Is there any danger for the fur and threads ?

[Will Brown]

Am I missing something? Why would you want to risk cleaning this suit. It looks just fine.

[werner]

Am I missing something? Why would you want to risk cleaning this suit. It looks just fine.

In fact, it's smell bad and there is probably a lot of dust in the fibre.