Mindtrick the Drycleaner

[Theyrenotdolls (Den Dragonson)]

So i wanted to avoid any possible problems with my costume by sending it to the drycleaners instead of machine washing it. I also want to avoid any color changes to the items that i dyed myself.

What instructions should i give them at the drycleaners?
How much should i expect to pay for tunics, tabbards, obi, robe?


Thanks,
TND

[Jedimom/Cor-Al Gelkar]

I have successfully used "Dry Cleaner's Secret" from teh grocery store. It avoids the hassles, but DO NOT try to useot for stains -- no matter what the box says. It left a large spot on my sleeve but it is slowly coming out.

[Xana]

I don't have any advice, but...........

I wonder if costumes can be insured? Ya know, in case of damage from drycleaning, or lost on the airlines, or something.

[Leda EmBorr]

Xana I never thought of insuring my Jedi costume! ;D

I think if you take it to the dry cleaners you have to tell them what the fabric is, or maybe they can just tell? I dunno... There's no tag with washing instructions!

I've never taken my costume there... But they always do a great job steaming clothes to look like new.

[Xana]

Leda said:

Xana I never thought of insuring my Jedi costume! ;D

Yeah, well, after packing up all three to ship on a plane with a connecting flight, I thought about it, alright! lol!

[Jauhzmynn Enz]

I hand wash mine. I won't dry clean it. it could be damaged or worse, lost.

[Leda EmBorr]

That's true... drycleaning (the chemicals) can damage/burn some fabrics.

I've been spraying my costume with fabreeze and tossing it in the dryer... I've had baaaaad luck with washing, even by hand and in cold water. I think I'll have to try some of that drycleaning spray that Cor-Al uses.

[Xana]

Try Woolite. It's what I used at CIII.

[Calaveylon Angavel]

I wash my Jedi Tunics in the washing machine.
-Gentle Cycle
-Cold wash and rinse
-Always use Woolite (I use the one for dark colors)
-Air dry or place it into the dryer on the lowest setting
-Use an iron on the cotton setting w/ plenty of steam
If you go to a dry cleaners, be sure to take note of their liability statement by the register when you first come in. The two by my have liability statements about they'll do the best job that they can, but the people there are human, after all.

[Theyrenotdolls (Den Dragonson)]

i need to find a droid drycleaner then, eh?

I think i'll go with the woolite at home...in the tub, since my washer doesnt have gentle cycle. cheaper and less worrisome.

Ani, will the vinegar trick work on my robe now that i've worn it...it has not been washed yet.

TND

[Jun-Aape Sio]

I dont know if the vinegar trick will still work I'd try it. Also if you have a giant kettle of some kind with a lid my mom dies yarn and stuff and she steams it, you put a great of some kind in the bottom of the kettle to keep the fabric out of the water then the damp fabric/robe or what-have-you with an inch or so of water in the bottom put the lid on it and steam it for about half an hour before drying it.
I don't know how well this works on fabric other than wool but you could try it. (It works really well on wool)

[Nova Darklighter]

The vinegar trick will help, if you do it before you wash it with detergent! I wash all of mine in the machines at the laundramat. I use cold water, detergent (I like one made w/o dies, or perfumes), fabric softner, dry on low or air w/ no heat, haven't had any problems yet. Sometimes I hand wash & hang to dry. Tunics in a variety of fabrics, silk noile, cotton, linen, and mystery fibre. The silk gets softer each time I wash it.