21 Oct How to Clean Thrift Store Clothing
So you’ve followed my thrfiting tips and scored some amazing finds, but now what? How do you sanitize items like clothing, shoes and accessories once you get them home? I’ve come across some thrift stores that are cleaner than others, but you always {always} want to clean items before wearing them. You never know how many people wore the item before you and you don’t want that stale smell that some second hand clothing can have.
Check out the easy tips below on how to clean your thrifted items.
Clothing:
Simply follow label instructions and treat them as you would a perfectly new garment. If the items says ‘dry clean only,’ then you want to do just that. There’s no point in wasting your money by destroying a garment due to improper care. I know some people who feel all thrifted items should be dry cleaned, but I think this is completely unnecessary and it can get a bit expensive if you’re an avid thrifter like myself. Drop the load in the laundry machine, dry on the highest heat possible and you’re good to go. For delicate garments, hand wash with a product like Woolite and lay flat to dry.
Accessories:
For earrings, rings, necklaces or bracelets, wipe them down with rubbing alcohol and let dry before wearing.
Shoes:
Wipe the inside and sole of the shoe with rubbing alcohol and/or with those handy Lysol disinfectant wipes. *Test the rubbing alcohol out on a small section of the shoe to make sure it doesn’t affect the material*
Do you guys have any other tips to cleaning your thrift store finds?
Toni
Posted at 09:40h, 21 OctoberI am your neighbour from up north Canada, and went thrifting for the first time this weekend with my boyfriend(eyes rolling). We tried Goodwill was not able to find anything so we went on to another store. On our stop to Value Village we came into some luck.
I scored a Fendi light jacket for $24.99 and he got a pair of Salvatore Ferragamo shoe for $29.99 in purrrfect conditions. Oh I was so happy, my first time out and score big time.(Was not able to load the pic)
I know the prices are not dirt cheap like those you are able to fine but I thought they good. What do you think?
Fly on a Dime
Posted at 07:34h, 22 OctoberThose prices are awesome! I’m even more impressed you got your boyfriend to go thrifting with you 🙂 Men can be a bit resistant!
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Posted at 13:07h, 21 October[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Toya Victoria and Living Fly on a Dime, Living Fly on a Dime. Living Fly on a Dime said: New Post–>>How to clean your thrift store clothing and accessories. http://bit.ly/bvPcAz […]
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Rene
Posted at 11:59h, 19 NovemberI love this site! Best one I’ve seen. It breaks it down on how living thrifty can be done in style.
Fashion Me Chic
Posted at 23:58h, 11 JanuaryGreat tips. I never wear any clothes without washing them, especially now with the bed bug infestation in NYC.
http://mypretaporterblog.blogspot.com/
Fashion Me Chic
Posted at 23:58h, 11 JanuaryGreat tips. I never wear any clothes without washing them, especially now with the bed bug infestation in NYC.
http://mypretaporterblog.blogspot.com/
Jb
Posted at 13:49h, 07 JulyFor coats that are dry clean only, I usually put them in a pillow case with a dryer sheet and put them in the dryer on high for 20 minutes. They come out smelling great! Better than dry clean smell.
Veronica Guy
Posted at 23:53h, 14 JulyWhat a great idea!!!
Veronica Guy
Posted at 23:49h, 14 JulyHow do you clean your clutches? I’ve found some great ones even a calf hair but I can’t seem to get that smell out of them. I put dryer sheets in them, sprayed them with Febreeze but they still have that odor.
Looking Fly on a Dime
Posted at 02:53h, 15 JulyI never buy anything that has a serious odor to it, it’s way too hard to get out. I’ve always just cleaned my clutches by wiping them down with an alcohol free baby wipe.
Theresa
Posted at 16:02h, 15 SeptemberI have heard that you can place your items in a bag and put them in a deep freezer for a few hours to kill bugs. I do this with my purchases and then wash them and toss them in the dryer. I guess as extra insurance to make sure everything is dead.
Looking Fly on a Dime
Posted at 21:56h, 16 SeptemberAh, another awesome tip. Thanks Theresa!
Entleshop
Posted at 08:51h, 30 NovemberHow about letting them freeze outside (during the winter) instead of placing them with my food in the freezer? Safer and more room outside!
Marguarite
Posted at 00:06h, 07 OctoberHave you try using white vinegar as a antibacterial? From what I readied from the great world wide web, white vinegar is good disinfectant, paired with baking soda, it can disinfect and deodorizer .
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Posted at 06:54h, 12 September[…] source: Looking Fly on a Dime Filed Under: Around Town Tagged With: apartments in oklahoma city, thrift stores in oklahoma […]
Bethany
Posted at 15:18h, 29 JulyAdding vinegar to the washer is beneficial in the sanitizing process, and will help take most scents out without leaving behind a vinegar smell.
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Posted at 00:06h, 15 January[…] Clean items immediately – Always clean your thrifted or consigned items prior to wearing them. My rule of thumb is that they go right from the shopping bag to the washroom or cleaners when I get home (cause I really don’t know where these things came from). Looking Fly On A Dime has great recommendations on the the proper way to clean your thrifted finds here. […]
Kit Hadley
Posted at 01:49h, 27 JanuaryI once bought a pair of cowboy boots that came complete with foot fungus. I sprinkled the insides liberally with activated charcoal and baking soda and then dropped in a hairdryer set on low. I ran the warm air into the boots for about five minutes, checking to make sure the boots didn’t get too hot. I never had a problem after that.
Molly
Posted at 07:15h, 25 FebruaryThat’s really smart!
Molly
Posted at 07:20h, 25 FebruaryI’m one of those people who believe that most of my “dry clean only” clothes should be able to go through the washer and be either laid flat or hung to dry unless the item is a dress/a coat or, rarely, if it’s a very delicate item. In general, I try to shy away from “dry clean only” clothing though; what’s the point in thrifting to save so much money if you have to spend a lot (over the course of the item’s lifetime) to clean it.