Laundering Instructions for Heirloom Outfits
Silk dupioni – Dry clean only
Handkerchief linen – Hand wash in lukewarm water, with a soft detergent
Cotton batiste – Hand wash in lukewarm water, with a soft detergent
Cotton sateen – Hand wash in lukewarm water, with a soft detergent
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Preserving your Christening Outfit or Heirloom Gown
Once you have chosen your boys or girls christening outfit or heirloom gown at Heirloom Memories, make sure you properly preserve your heirloom christening outfit so it can be enjoyed and used by future generations. Take a few precautions to keep your memories safe:
Dry clean or hand-wash the christening gown or heirloom outfit as directed on the clothing tag. Stains and body oils can irreparably discolor the fabric. If you hand-wash, avoid using harsh soaps, chlorine bleach, fabric softeners, and starch. Rinse the heirloom outfit well to remove all detergent residue. Air dry only.
Once your heirloom outfit is completely dry, stuff it with clean, WHITE, ACID FREE tissue. This will help prevent hard creases that can weaken the fabric. Fold additional tissue into pleats and slip it between layers of fabric.
Do NOT iron the heirloom outfit before storing. The iron will remove moisture from the fabric.
Do NOT spray starch the heirloom outfit before storing. Spray starch encourages the growth of mold.
Place the heirloom outfit in a 100% cotton muslin bag or acid-free cardboard box.
Plastic or vinyl bags are unacceptable for long-term preservation since these heirloom garments need to breathe. For this same reason, you should not seal or wrap a cardboard box containing christening clothing.
Never pack mothballs with your heirloom apparel since they can ruin fabric over time.
Avoid storing the heirloom suit or gown with metal items.
Label your storage container (if the gown or outfit is not already personalized) with a name and date.
Store the heirloom outfit in a dark, cool, dry place (for example, in a closet or under a bed.) Avoid storing the box in places where temperature or humidity may fluctuate seasonally, like a basement or attic. The ideal storage place has a relative humidity of 55 percent and a temperature of about 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ideally you should, store your heirloom outfit lying flat! Letting it hang on a hanger will put stress on the shoulder seams and delicate trims.
Check your heirloom gown or christening outfit occasionally to ensure that it is maintaining its beauty. When you handle your heirloom outfit, wear cotton gloves since skin oils can discolor fabric.
When you wish to use your treasured heirloom gown or christening outfit again, remove it from the storage container and air it out for several days. You may need to steam the item to remove wrinkles; iron only as a last resort, and only on a low setting that matches your fabric content.
A very old or delicate heirloom outfit can still be preserved and appreciated by displaying it on the wall in a museum-mount frame.