Ballet Moms - How to wash a costume?

[frugalmama]

Dd found a beautiful professional ballet dance costume today at our local thrift shop, and fell in love with it for her halloween costume {she's going as a fairy princess}. It's mostly tulle, and the tag says it's from a costume shop and it's dry-clean only. I REALLY hate to pay to get it dry-cleaned as it would cost more than I paid for the costume {$2}.

 

Whats the best way to clean it without dry-cleaning it?

[Pink Fairy]

You could try hand washing. If it doesn't have appliques or jewels or feathers, you could also use the gentle cycle. I've washed simple costumes before, and they were fine.

[DianeW88]

You will RUIN it if you try to wash it. Seriously, when they say "dry clean only" on tutus...they mean it. You also may want to get a quote from the dry cleaner. Intricate costumes can cost as much as a wedding dress to clean. :glare:

[edelweiss]

You will RUIN it if you try to wash it. Seriously, when they say "dry clean only" on tutus...they mean it. You also may want to get a quote from the dry cleaner. Intricate costumes can cost as much as a wedding dress to clean. :glare:

 

I agree. I wouldn't risk hand washing it.

[Perry]

How attached is she to it? If you don't mind taking a chance, I've put tulle dresses in a mesh lingerie bag and washed them on gentle and they've turned out just fine. I wouldn't do it if she'd be heartbroken if it's ruined though.

[bookfiend]

How icky it is? If only for a Halloween costume, can she wear a leotard and tights underneath so the clothes don't really touch her?

 

Can you spritz it with fabric freshner and let it sit in the sunshine for two days?

 

How about one of the chemical clean deals you put in the dryer?

[Catwoman]

Does it look dirty? Is it smelly?

 

I only ask this because I'm wondering if it may have already been dry cleaned and just need to be aired out in the fresh air for a while.

 

I would not try to wash it.

 

If you think it may have been worn but not cleaned, you might be able to carefully hand-launder the cr*tch and underarm areas, but you would need to be very careful -- and test a hidden area of the costume for colorfastness before you even consider washing it.

[trlt]

You will RUIN it if you try to wash it. Seriously, when they say "dry clean only" on tutus...they mean it. You also may want to get a quote from the dry cleaner. Intricate costumes can cost as much as a wedding dress to clean. :glare:

 

:iagree: