Re: [h-cost] OT: quick fabric washing question
Mfgs no longer have the luxury of putting the Dry clean only tag on a garment because it is convenient or safe. Then why do they insist on putting dry clean only on unlined, 100% linen pants? Lined I'd understand, because if they shrink then the lining will be too big, but unlined?? 100% cotton jeans shrink and they don't put a dry clean tag on them, why would they do it for linen if it's because of the shrinkage? Becase people don't know how to iron them after they've been washed? It's certainly not because of the dye (the two pairs of pants in question were white and natural-coloured)... then why? ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] OT: quick fabric washing question
IMO, you'd probably be okay in a wash bag in cold water and short cycle, but I wouldn't risk it directly in the machine. Rayon gets much more fragile when it's wet and can shrink. Watch out for those colours, sometimes they run badly on dry-clean-only items, especially the cheaper ones. You can usually find out how bad it is by rubbing a damp light-coloured towel on the inside of a hem - if your towel turns the colour of the fabric... well you get the idea :-) I chuck most everything in the machine, even when it says dry clean only, except when it's something structured, lined and/or interfaced like a suit or a coat (even then, most modern sports coats can't be dry cleaned, you have to wash them in a front-loader). But I do put the fragile items in a wash bag and wash in cold water on a short, delicate cycle. - Original Message - From: Cozit / Liz [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: h-costume@mail.indra.com Sent: Friday, February 08, 2008 9:34 PM Subject: [h-cost] OT: quick fabric washing question I'm one of those folks who often washes things by hand that tell you to dry clean - when they're 100% polyester, linen, and usually rayon and silk (depends on how daring I feel with that one, as it varies a lot). I just bought a nice dress that is 75% rayon, 25% polyester. It says dry clean only, short cycle but also says light steam, light press. I'm guessing that I could probably get away with washing this also (hey, I've got allergy skin - the fewer chemicals up against it the better)... but wanted to ask this group if anyone's tried washing that combination with decent results before... as I'm feeling nervous about the combo. My *guess* is that the polyester is mostly in the design of the fabric, not in the general weave... it's jacquard-ish leaf patterned slightly shinier than the matte black of the rest of the material. Anyone out there able to say either probably ok or definitely don't? It was under $100, but more than I'd really like to throw out by totally messing it up before wearing. Fingers crossed! -Liz (hey, I never run into this when doing costuming - I wash the heck of the material before I sew it - but no time to manage to make something before I need it in March) ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
RE: [h-cost] OT: quick fabric washing question
Linen shrinks an enormous amount. Especially if it is not pre-washed. Most linen used in Mfg. is not prewashed/preshrunk because the finish will come off and it will look terrible. The linen garment is also usually tailored differently than denim. The fibers of linen react much dirrerent than cotton to water. Lots of denim today is preshrunk and distressed, so a lot of the shrink factor is gone by the time it is cut and sewn. Monica -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Audrey Bergeron-Morin Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2008 12:56 PM To: Historical Costume Subject: Re: [h-cost] OT: quick fabric washing question Mfgs no longer have the luxury of putting the Dry clean only tag on a garment because it is convenient or safe. Then why do they insist on putting dry clean only on unlined, 100% linen pants? Lined I'd understand, because if they shrink then the lining will be too big, but unlined?? 100% cotton jeans shrink and they don't put a dry clean tag on them, why would they do it for linen if it's because of the shrinkage? Becase people don't know how to iron them after they've been washed? It's certainly not because of the dye (the two pairs of pants in question were white and natural-coloured)... then why? ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] OT: quick fabric washing question
Well, I guess I have the right approach then. I hate the sizing they put on linen because I think it makes it look terrible (as soon as you move it wrinkles, and there's no way to take the wrinkles out after that). When you wash it the sizing goes out, the fabric is softer, and the wrinkles are much less apparent and much more natural. You do have to iron it with a water bottle though, or it doesn't look as good. And I think it's a good thing those garments shrink :-) Stores where I normally wear a size 2, for example, when they have linen garments the size 0 is still to big for me. I still haven't figured out why they always cut the linen things so *** big! :-) Actually, I wasn't thinking so much as today's blue jeans (they all have spandex or one of those stretchy materials nowadays, so they never shrink and you have to remember to buy them too small or they fall off when you wear them), but the ones I was wearing about 10 years ago, before stretchy became the way to go. I remember having a pair hemmed after washing once, and needing to redo the hem because it shrank again after the second washing. But that's also true of linen. I now wash my fabric (not the already made garments) on hot twice before I use it won't get caught twice at the double-shrinking thing! - Original Message - From: monica spence [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Historical Costume [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2008 1:16 PM Subject: RE: [h-cost] OT: quick fabric washing question Linen shrinks an enormous amount. Especially if it is not pre-washed. Most linen used in Mfg. is not prewashed/preshrunk because the finish will come off and it will look terrible. The linen garment is also usually tailored differently than denim. The fibers of linen react much dirrerent than cotton to water. Lots of denim today is preshrunk and distressed, so a lot of the shrink factor is gone by the time it is cut and sewn. Monica ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] OT: quick fabric washing question
In a message dated 2/10/2008 12:56:07 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Then why do they insist on putting dry clean only on unlined, 100% linen pants? *** Because no one irons anymore. **Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music. (http://music.aol.com/grammys/pictures/never-won-a-grammy?NCID=aolcmp00300025 48) ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
RE: [h-cost] OT: quick fabric washing question
If you think your fabric might stretch, you can lay it flat on a clothes-line-stand (I don´t know what Fluegelwaeschetrockner is in English - it´s a frame thing with wires between) with a towel underneath so that it cannot sag and stretch between the wires. There are also frames with net available in some stores, for drying knit sweaters. At 13:19 10.02.2008, you wrote: Hannah, thanks for this new idea. I'd heard of laying wool garments in the snow to freshen and clean, but not rain. How do you keep the garment from stretching when it gets heavy with water? Curiously, Linda -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Hanna Zickermann However, as you mentioned allergy-skin, you might try just hanging the dress out in a rainy night and drip dry. The rain will wash out most odors and dust, and probably a good deal of the chemicals in the material as well. This is a good trick for wool clothing that needs to be refreshed but can´t stand frequent washing. And there´s not cycle in the rain, besides perhaps a little wind. Hope this helps, Hanna ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] OT: quick fabric washing question
Or owns an iron. We helped a friend when she needed 2 dance recital outfits altered for her young daughters. They were a mess. The straps were wy too long on both of them (the reason for altering), which we can understand. However, they were crossover spaghetti straps, 2 on each side. The two dresses - supposedly identical - had the straps on one hopelessly tangled when they were stitched down. She said that these were very expensive dresses (like $40 or $50 for each), and there was maybe 1/4 yard spandex and 1 yard of tulle in them. Go figure. And, of course, the tulle was all scrunched up from shipping. We told her she would have to press the skirts, and she looked at us like we were from Mars - she didn't own an iron. Sandy At 02:23 PM 2/10/2008, you wrote: In a message dated 2/10/2008 12:56:07 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Then why do they insist on putting dry clean only on unlined, 100% linen pants? *** Because no one irons anymore. Those Who Fail To Learn History Are Doomed to Repeat It; Those Who Fail To Learn History Correctly -- Why They Are Simply Doomed. Achemdro'hm The Illusion of Historical Fact -- C.Y. 4971 Andromeda ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
RE: [h-cost] OT: quick fabric washing question
Actually, with all due respect, that is not necessarily true. I worked in the garment industry for 25 years as a designer, patternmaker and technical desuigner. Most stores require testing as part of their Quality Assurance program.Part of that is Wash testing. The federal govermnent no longer lets manufacturers put a dry clean only tag on a garment. A manufacturer must allow the customer the ability to wash with specific directions (cold water, bleach, etc.. If a fabric/garment has been PROVEN to be damaged by the use of a specific thing (hot water, detergent, bleach, etc) then the MFG. can say on their tag Cold water only or Dry clean only etc. Mfgs no longer have the luxury of putting the Dry clean only tag on a garment because it is convenient or safe. I found this out the hard way when deakling with Nordstroms a few years ago. They INSISTED on putting Use dry bleach when necessary tag on their girl's swimwear. If it says Dry Clean only, follow the directions. Then if something happens, you can return it to the store, who will in turn send it to the Manufacturer. If you have improperly cleaned something, it is not necessarily the store's problem. Monica -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Dawn Sent: Saturday, February 09, 2008 1:16 AM To: Historical Costume Subject: Re: [h-cost] OT: quick fabric washing question monica spence wrote: I'd dry clean it. Rayon sometimes is not colorfast to washing. If the tag says dry clean, then dryclean. Most of the time the tag says dry clean because the manufacturer doesn't know how to clean it, and dry cleaning is safe. They are required by law to put care tags on the garments, but for many it is too much cost and effort to research the best method for a particular fabric or a line of clothing. So it says dry clean and they are covered. It's probably ok to hand wash it in cool water with a mild soap. If you are concerned about colorfastness, test swab it with a damp q-tip or cotton ball. Dry it in a rolled up towel, and press it on a very low iron setting. Dawn ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] OT: quick fabric washing question
Do you have any idea where one finds these instructions? I have a small online clothing business and put dry clean only on a lot of my tags. I'd like further information on the legalities. Sylrog On Feb 9, 2008, at 9:05 AM, monica spence wrote: Actually, with all due respect, that is not necessarily true. I worked in the garment industry for 25 years as a designer, patternmaker and technical desuigner. Most stores require testing as part of their Quality Assurance program.Part of that is Wash testing. The federal govermnent no longer lets manufacturers put a dry clean only tag on a garment. A manufacturer must allow the customer the ability to wash with specific directions (cold water, bleach, etc.. If a fabric/garment has been PROVEN to be damaged by the use of a specific thing (hot water, detergent, bleach, etc) then the MFG. can say on their tag Cold water only or Dry clean only etc. Mfgs no longer have the luxury of putting the Dry clean only tag on a garment because it is convenient or safe. I found this out the hard way when deakling with Nordstroms a few years ago. They INSISTED on putting Use dry bleach when necessary tag on their girl's swimwear. If it says Dry Clean only, follow the directions. Then if something happens, you can return it to the store, who will in turn send it to the Manufacturer. If you have improperly cleaned something, it is not necessarily the store's problem. Monica -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Dawn Sent: Saturday, February 09, 2008 1:16 AM To: Historical Costume Subject: Re: [h-cost] OT: quick fabric washing question monica spence wrote: I'd dry clean it. Rayon sometimes is not colorfast to washing. If the tag says dry clean, then dryclean. Most of the time the tag says dry clean because the manufacturer doesn't know how to clean it, and dry cleaning is safe. They are required by law to put care tags on the garments, but for many it is too much cost and effort to research the best method for a particular fabric or a line of clothing. So it says dry clean and they are covered. It's probably ok to hand wash it in cool water with a mild soap. If you are concerned about colorfastness, test swab it with a damp q-tip or cotton ball. Dry it in a rolled up towel, and press it on a very low iron setting. Dawn ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
RE: [h-cost] OT: quick fabric washing question
Hi! Try the Federal Trade Commission website. I don't know if small busnesses are required to test, but if your garments are sold in certain stores, you will be. The big stores and catalogues (Wal-mart, Target, Sears, JC Penney, Disney, etc.) that I worked with required testing and provided HUGE manuals. They also told us to use specific testing labs that knew the store requirements. The outcomes of the tests were sent to the stores and the manufacturer. Testing is really expensive. It is one of the reason that 95% of US manufacturinng has gone off-shore to places where a worker makes 30 cents an hour. But that is another discussion. :-( Monica -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Sylvia Rognstad Sent: Saturday, February 09, 2008 11:37 AM To: Historical Costume Subject: Re: [h-cost] OT: quick fabric washing question Do you have any idea where one finds these instructions? I have a small online clothing business and put dry clean only on a lot of my tags. I'd like further information on the legalities. Sylrog On Feb 9, 2008, at 9:05 AM, monica spence wrote: Actually, with all due respect, that is not necessarily true. I worked in the garment industry for 25 years as a designer, patternmaker and technical desuigner. Most stores require testing as part of their Quality Assurance program.Part of that is Wash testing. The federal govermnent no longer lets manufacturers put a dry clean only tag on a garment. A manufacturer must allow the customer the ability to wash with specific directions (cold water, bleach, etc.. If a fabric/garment has been PROVEN to be damaged by the use of a specific thing (hot water, detergent, bleach, etc) then the MFG. can say on their tag Cold water only or Dry clean only etc. Mfgs no longer have the luxury of putting the Dry clean only tag on a garment because it is convenient or safe. I found this out the hard way when deakling with Nordstroms a few years ago. They INSISTED on putting Use dry bleach when necessary tag on their girl's swimwear. If it says Dry Clean only, follow the directions. Then if something happens, you can return it to the store, who will in turn send it to the Manufacturer. If you have improperly cleaned something, it is not necessarily the store's problem. Monica -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Dawn Sent: Saturday, February 09, 2008 1:16 AM To: Historical Costume Subject: Re: [h-cost] OT: quick fabric washing question monica spence wrote: I'd dry clean it. Rayon sometimes is not colorfast to washing. If the tag says dry clean, then dryclean. Most of the time the tag says dry clean because the manufacturer doesn't know how to clean it, and dry cleaning is safe. They are required by law to put care tags on the garments, but for many it is too much cost and effort to research the best method for a particular fabric or a line of clothing. So it says dry clean and they are covered. It's probably ok to hand wash it in cool water with a mild soap. If you are concerned about colorfastness, test swab it with a damp q-tip or cotton ball. Dry it in a rolled up towel, and press it on a very low iron setting. Dawn ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
RE: [h-cost] OT: quick fabric washing question
I know that should be the case in theory... but I've a linen shirt (embroidered with a synthetic), and a rayon dress that I've bought in the last year - both have dry clean only... and both have been hand washed and delicate cycle cold water (just got a no-agitator top-loader) quite a number of times and they look like new still. There might be a minimal amount of fading, but not so you'd notice unless maybe if you had a slip of the fabric when it was new. I've got older items that are the same way. All of *those*, however have been cheaper and not a needed in a fairly short amount of time... so I've been willing to experiment. This one I'm still not sure what I'll do with - mostly because it *is* black, and mostly rayon. The only reason I figured on hoping for the best (and I may try it after the trip) is because it had the light steam - which indicates that the issue shouldn't be shrinkage, as any steam would affect the material negatively if it were a concern. Oh, actually there's another reason as well... it's feel is rather different from most rayon and rayon blends that I've come across with that label. It's softer - almost feels like it's been washed already... and the chemical itch I often get from trying on new clothes wasn't there. Now I have to figure out whether to dry clean it before the trip or not. One chemical or the other it's going to be a bother. I really wish I had the time to make something out of material I trust... ah well. Thanks all! -Liz From: monica spence [EMAIL PROTECTED] Actually, with all due respect, that is not necessarily true. I worked in the garment industry for 25 years as a designer, patternmaker and technical desuigner. Most stores require testing as part of their Quality Assurance program.Part of that is Wash testing. The federal govermnent no longer lets manufacturers put a dry clean only tag on a garment. A manufacturer must allow the customer the ability to wash with specific directions (cold water, bleach, etc.. If a fabric/garment has been PROVEN to be damaged by the use of a specific thing (hot water, detergent, bleach, etc) then the MFG. can say on their tag Cold water only or Dry clean only etc. Mfgs no longer have the luxury of putting the Dry clean only tag on a garment because it is convenient or safe. I found this out the hard way when deakling with Nordstroms a few years ago. They INSISTED on putting Use dry bleach when necessary tag on their girl's swimwear. If it says Dry Clean only, follow the directions. Then if something happens, you can return it to the store, who will in turn send it to the Manufacturer. If you have improperly cleaned something, it is not necessarily the store's problem. Monica ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] OT: quick fabric washing question
Hi Liz, if it was just the fabric and not a finished garment, I´d definately wash it. It sounds like the warp and weft threads make the shiny pattern. But on a finished garment, I don´t know if the cycle of the washing machine might crease the lining or interfacing so much that a light iron can´t remove the creases. However, as you mentioned allergy-skin, you might try just hanging the dress out in a rainy night and drip dry. The rain will wash out most odors and dust, and probably a good deal of the chemicals in the material as well. This is a good trick for wool clothing that needs to be refreshed but can´t stand frequent washing. And there´s not cycle in the rain, besides perhaps a little wind. Hope this helps, Hanna Original-Nachricht Datum: Fri, 08 Feb 2008 21:34:00 -0500 Von: Cozit / Liz [EMAIL PROTECTED] An: h-costume@mail.indra.com Betreff: [h-cost] OT: quick fabric washing question I'm one of those folks who often washes things by hand that tell you to dry clean - when they're 100% polyester, linen, and usually rayon and silk (depends on how daring I feel with that one, as it varies a lot). I just bought a nice dress that is 75% rayon, 25% polyester. It says dry clean only, short cycle but also says light steam, light press. I'm guessing that I could probably get away with washing this also (hey, I've got allergy skin - the fewer chemicals up against it the better)... but wanted to ask this group if anyone's tried washing that combination with decent results before... as I'm feeling nervous about the combo. My *guess* is that the polyester is mostly in the design of the fabric, not in the general weave... it's jacquard-ish leaf patterned slightly shinier than the matte black of the rest of the material. Anyone out there able to say either probably ok or definitely don't? It was under $100, but more than I'd really like to throw out by totally messing it up before wearing. Fingers crossed! -Liz (hey, I never run into this when doing costuming - I wash the heck of the material before I sew it - but no time to manage to make something before I need it in March) ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume -- GMX FreeMail: 1 GB Postfach, 5 E-Mail-Adressen, 10 Free SMS. Alle Infos und kostenlose Anmeldung: http://www.gmx.net/de/go/freemail ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
RE: [h-cost] OT: quick fabric washing question
I'd dry clean it. Rayon sometimes is not colorfast to washing. If the tag says dry clean, then dryclean. Monica -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Cozit / Liz Sent: Friday, February 08, 2008 9:34 PM To: h-costume@mail.indra.com Subject: [h-cost] OT: quick fabric washing question I'm one of those folks who often washes things by hand that tell you to dry clean - when they're 100% polyester, linen, and usually rayon and silk (depends on how daring I feel with that one, as it varies a lot). I just bought a nice dress that is 75% rayon, 25% polyester. It says dry clean only, short cycle but also says light steam, light press. I'm guessing that I could probably get away with washing this also (hey, I've got allergy skin - the fewer chemicals up against it the better)... but wanted to ask this group if anyone's tried washing that combination with decent results before... as I'm feeling nervous about the combo. My *guess* is that the polyester is mostly in the design of the fabric, not in the general weave... it's jacquard-ish leaf patterned slightly shinier than the matte black of the rest of the material. Anyone out there able to say either probably ok or definitely don't? It was under $100, but more than I'd really like to throw out by totally messing it up before wearing. Fingers crossed! -Liz (hey, I never run into this when doing costuming - I wash the heck of the material before I sew it - but no time to manage to make something before I need it in March) ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] OT: quick fabric washing question
monica spence wrote: I'd dry clean it. Rayon sometimes is not colorfast to washing. If the tag says dry clean, then dryclean. Most of the time the tag says dry clean because the manufacturer doesn't know how to clean it, and dry cleaning is safe. They are required by law to put care tags on the garments, but for many it is too much cost and effort to research the best method for a particular fabric or a line of clothing. So it says dry clean and they are covered. It's probably ok to hand wash it in cool water with a mild soap. If you are concerned about colorfastness, test swab it with a damp q-tip or cotton ball. Dry it in a rolled up towel, and press it on a very low iron setting. Dawn ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
