Costume Care 101: Spring Cleaning
It's spring cleaning time for me, which means my costumes get freshened up a little. Because of the intricate beadwork, it's not a good idea to dryclean or wash these garments like we would our normal clothes. But with a few tips, you can keep your costumes smelling fresh and looking new!
I sweat when I dance, so I always leave my used costumes to air out for at least 24 hours. Putting them away wet is just asking for trouble. Inevitably, however, they will always end up a little stinky. To help with this, I mix a 50/50 solution of (cheap) vodka and water in a spray bottle. The vodka will help kill any bacteria that are contributing to the odor.
Of course, as dancers we often encounter less-than-clean situations and we can get dirt on our costumes. Some dancers, who are much braver than I, have developed a handwashing technique. Fill your bathtub with enough water to submerse your skirt. Add some Woolite and gently wash the costume by hand. Remove the skirt, drain the soapy water and replace with fresh water; rinse the skirt. You'll want to leave it to air dry....please be advised that if your costume has sequins, the color may come off in this process. It's for this reason that I've been a little scared to try this method, though I've heard of many dancers that swear by it. I prefer to spot treat with Woolite to carefully remove the stain. That said, I have a skirt that got really dirty at a gig, I might just bite the bullet and wash the whole thing. If I do, I'll post an update!
The final area where I focus on is the bra lining. This gets really dirty as time goes on, so it's a good idea to replace it every once in a while. I try to find a cotton fabric that matches my costume color fairly well. Carefully remove the lining and use it as a pattern to cut the new fabric. Then, handstitch the new lining into the bra. It doesn't have to look perfect; you're probably the only person who will see it! Many people are afraid of touching their costume for fear that it'll fall apart; DON'T be afraid! Every costume I've come across has been crafted so the linings can be replaced, so you're not going to lose any beadwork! If you're not handy with a needle and thread, I definitely recommend that you take some classes.
After you've successfully cleaned your costume, it's very important to store it properly. Some dancers hang their skirts, but I don't care much for this method. The weight from the beadwork can distort the fabric. I store my costumes in canvas boxes; they can "breathe" and won't get musty smelling this way. I carefully roll the skirt up before placing it in the box. The bra goes on top of the skirt, and any accessories are placed next to it.
I sweat when I dance, so I always leave my used costumes to air out for at least 24 hours. Putting them away wet is just asking for trouble. Inevitably, however, they will always end up a little stinky. To help with this, I mix a 50/50 solution of (cheap) vodka and water in a spray bottle. The vodka will help kill any bacteria that are contributing to the odor.
Of course, as dancers we often encounter less-than-clean situations and we can get dirt on our costumes. Some dancers, who are much braver than I, have developed a handwashing technique. Fill your bathtub with enough water to submerse your skirt. Add some Woolite and gently wash the costume by hand. Remove the skirt, drain the soapy water and replace with fresh water; rinse the skirt. You'll want to leave it to air dry....please be advised that if your costume has sequins, the color may come off in this process. It's for this reason that I've been a little scared to try this method, though I've heard of many dancers that swear by it. I prefer to spot treat with Woolite to carefully remove the stain. That said, I have a skirt that got really dirty at a gig, I might just bite the bullet and wash the whole thing. If I do, I'll post an update!
The final area where I focus on is the bra lining. This gets really dirty as time goes on, so it's a good idea to replace it every once in a while. I try to find a cotton fabric that matches my costume color fairly well. Carefully remove the lining and use it as a pattern to cut the new fabric. Then, handstitch the new lining into the bra. It doesn't have to look perfect; you're probably the only person who will see it! Many people are afraid of touching their costume for fear that it'll fall apart; DON'T be afraid! Every costume I've come across has been crafted so the linings can be replaced, so you're not going to lose any beadwork! If you're not handy with a needle and thread, I definitely recommend that you take some classes.
After you've successfully cleaned your costume, it's very important to store it properly. Some dancers hang their skirts, but I don't care much for this method. The weight from the beadwork can distort the fabric. I store my costumes in canvas boxes; they can "breathe" and won't get musty smelling this way. I carefully roll the skirt up before placing it in the box. The bra goes on top of the skirt, and any accessories are placed next to it.
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