Washing Tunics

[pzrwest]

I would leave it alone and not clean it.

[checkit]

Woolite is used primarily for delicate fabrics that have gotten a light use, like a woman's dress that was worn once and has a perfume smell to it and minor perspiration stains - and needs to be cleaned but really just very lightly cleaned. There is a product known as Fulsol which I recommend very highly. It is a degreaser, and removes the greasy dirt that a 65 year old uniform tends to acquire from dust, perspiration, being in a footlocker with bayonets and stuff, etc. I use it to gently clean the greasy dirt from the silk handle wrapping of Samurai swords, as well as US Army web belts that have gotten thick and smelly with greasy dirt - and the occasional patch as well. I much prefer it to Woolite.

[Rob E.]

My experiences match the pics that Chris posted, I had basically the same color water (mine was slightly darker) and the same residue after the tub drained.

My rock is now completely dry and I definitely don't regret doing it, it looks better then ever.

[Johnny R]

The flight suit in my opinion is a lot more complicated as far as trying to clean it and you are dealing with several different materials. I personally would never hand wash that. I would take it to an experienced dry cleaner and ask what they think. There are a lot of clowns in the business and it took me years to find someone who knew what they are doing within the gum snapping newspaper reading "yeah yeah sure" majority.

[werner]

Thanks guys.
I will leave it alone and ventilate it.

[TONY GANZ]

washing tunics

I have both washed and dry cleaned tunics. Which one you do depends on the condition of the tunic. I like the results of both methods, and it certainly preserves the uniform.

[MASteel]

I know that some of you are against washing any tunic regardless of condition but I wanted to post this. I did not take a before picture but the tunic had no visible surface dirt and looked clean. This is how much crap was in there after the first soak and rinse without soap. There was a oil like film on the surface as well that I attribute to moth balls or some spray that smelled like that.

Very interesting thread, thanks for sharing!

How long you let the tunic soak under cold water, without Woolite and with it?

-MAT

[Johnny R]

Every unifrom is different and the name tag problem has been mentioned, I have washed tunics with a quick dip with no effect to name tags BUT soaking them greatly increases the chance the ink will wash out.

I have never soaked a tunic for a long period of time, maybe 10 minutes. I normally just put it warm water and then knead the cloth under water so the soap works through the cloth and the dirt comes out.

[MASteel]

Ok Johnny, thanks!

I've one Finnish tunic w/o any name tags and it does not look too dirty but it's very "stiff"... and it feels like dirty.

I'll try it with cold water only, at least first!

[Johnny R]

I use warm and things do not shrink etc. I think it cleans better and opens the cloth but maybe that is my imagination.

[MASteel]

I use warm and things do not shrink etc. I think it cleans better and opens the cloth but maybe that is my imagination.

Yes, warm is better than cold; washing powders don't mix with cold water very well, if at all. Mabe liquid Woolite mix's? We don't have Woolite in here but similar should be available.

[bobcam1]

Just a note, regarding name tags.....Could you not rub a paraffin stick over the name tag before washing, making it effectively waterproof?....Paraffin is easily removed, after the fact.

[Johnny R]

I would think the water would enter and impact the ink from behind the label.

[bobcam1]

Well, I should've been clearer, in that I would expect someone to coat the COMPLETE tag, rather that just ONE side. I would be cognizant of the fact that both sides would need to be done, to render it waterproof.....

[Scott A. Hess]

That is a spectacular flight suit Werner, I think were it me, I would not clean it yourself, or at all. This suede can be quite delicate, and it could be torn/ruined. Not worth the risk in my opinion, but, its your piece! you could take a nice hand held attachment for a good vacuum cleaner and use it to gently bring out the dust...I've done this on similar types of suits, you will be surprised how much dust comes out of the fibres, and you dont risk damage to the suede, which can become brittle over time. Just use some caution.