https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 26 Jun 2026 13:50:43 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-clean-a-vintage-christening-gown#post-2527535 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 08:54:58 +0000 Foodnerd81 2527535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: ah gotcha. Yeah I think that's where MIl took it before she sent it to us. One place was going to charge her $60+, then another place charged $13. I wonder f I should do that if it's going into storage for a long time... Who knows if my BILs will want to use it when they have kids and if not, it will be in storage until I have grandchildren. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-clean-a-vintage-christening-gown#post-2527505 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 08:36:36 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2527505@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: Yes, my mom took it to some place that did like wedding gowns. They basically did the hand washing for her with the special detergents. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-clean-a-vintage-christening-gown#post-2527485 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 08:26:50 +0000 Foodnerd81 2527485@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: it says Do not dry clean. The closest cleaner to me is not someplace I would trust with it. But there are nicer ones I could seek out if needed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-clean-a-vintage-christening-gown#post-2527469 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 08:15:30 +0000 looch 2527469@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: Yes, exactly. When rinsing, you need to rinse until the water runs clear, that's how you make sure you get all the soap out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-clean-a-vintage-christening-gown#post-2527438 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 07:43:24 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2527438@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom had a hand made dress that we used. I think she eventually did take it to the dry cleaners and they did wonders on it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-clean-a-vintage-christening-gown#post-2527432 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 07:25:25 +0000 Foodnerd81 2527432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: @looch: oh and since it's just going to be stored for years now I probably won't bother steaming or ironing it. Let the next person deal with that. ☺️ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-clean-a-vintage-christening-gown#post-2527431 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 07:24:26 +0000 Foodnerd81 2527431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: to actually wash, you just fill up the sink or a container with cool water and wool lite and kind of soak and swish around the dress? Obviously I don't hand wash things very often. When I've tried with sweaters I feel like I don't get them clean. And yeah no flat drying rack here but I can lay out on the counter in a towel. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-clean-a-vintage-christening-gown#post-2527430 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 07:23:43 +0000 Mamaof2 2527430@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: we did what @looch: suggested.</p> <p>My kids were baptized in the same gown my dad wore 70 years ago - </p> <p>The gown turned out nice doing the above except I used a steamer instead of an iron </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-clean-a-vintage-christening-gown#post-2527416 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 07:06:48 +0000 looch 2527416@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If I were to wash it, I would gently wash it with Wool-ite and rinse it well. Then I would lay out a towel and put the dress on top, rolling it into a noodle to get the water out, so you don't wring it.</p> <p>Then, lay it flat to dry, preferably on a mesh drying net, but also on a table on a dry towl would work fine, it just might take longer.</p> <p>Then, when it's dry, I would get a thin piece of cloth, like a sheet, dampen it, place over the dress and then press it with a steamy iron. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-clean-a-vintage-christening-gown#post-2527402 Mon, 18 Apr 2016 06:52:36 +0000 Foodnerd81 2527402@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My MIL gave us Dh's christening gown and cap to use for our girls, so it's about 35 years old (is that "vintage"?). Instructions say "hand wash only" and Do not wring, Do not bleach. The gown says 100% cotton, there is a sheer lacy layer over a more solid layer. There is a coat and cap that is more of a heavy silky material, no fabric labeled.</p> <p>Before MIL gave it to us she had it professionally hand washed. After my first daughters christening I just never got around to washing it. Our second daughter just wore it and definitely drooled on all the parts plus the oil from the actual baptism, so I definitely should clean it. </p> <p>So... What do I do? Is wool-lite in my sink gentle enough? Another detergent that would be better? Take it to a cleaners? This is probably our last baby so I want to have t nice and clean waiting for the next family baby, which could be several years. </p>