How to Wash Vintage Accessories

Vintage accessories can make a vintage outfit really come together. There are several things that you must consider before washing your vintage accessories to avoid damaging them. With a little material washing research you can keep those vintage clothing accessories looking great.

• Get a lint roller to clean a vintage hat. The lint roller will remove most of the debris that is stuck to the hat, like animal fur or other fabric. Fill a pot with hot water and heat it to boiling on your stop top. Carefully hold the hat over the boiling water to steam clean it. Wipe it with a damp cloth and you hold it over the boiling water. After the hat is clean, set it on a dry towel to dry.


• Buy a leather cleaning kit and follow the directions on the box to clean any accessories that are made of leather. Leather has to be cleaned with special cleaners to prevent damage.


• Place all silk sashes or scarves in a sink full of hot soapy water and scrub them with a wet washcloth to remove any stains. After the item is clean, you can hang it out to dry on a clothesline.


• Put any lace items into a bowl of vinegar and water for 60 minutes. The solution should consist of eight ounces of vinegar and 16 ounces of cool water. Do not use hot water in the mixture. Using hot water can cause lace items to shrink and they may no longer fit.