At RAVE FabriCARE, we're entrusted with hundreds of antique,
vintage and heirloom garments and textiles of all kinds every year
(for example, click
here,
here,
here and
here).
In the overwhelming majority of cases, we've been able to
produce excellent results (for example, click
here,
here,
here and
here). Occasionally, however, complete success has
eluded us.
Consider, for example, this silk slip from the late 1950's,
early 1960's, embellished with delicate embroidery and cut
work.
The garment exhibited all
the usual issues associated with undergarments of this
vintage: old yellow stains, perspiration stains, bodily fluid
stains and a funky, musty smell.
Bodily fluids (aka protein stains) on silk is one of the most
difficult stains a dry cleaner faces on a daily basis.
When it comes to vintage garments, that degree of difficulty
increases exponentially. And the reason? Those old protein stains
have typically reacted chemically with the pigment of the silk to
permanently change the color.
Even though our client was ecstatic that we were able to
significantly brighten the slip and reduce the intensity of the old
protein stains, we're always concerned when we're not able to achieve complete success.
The following before and after photos reflect the challenges
associated with old protein stains on a vintage garment:
BEFORE -- FRONT AND BACK
BEFORE -- STAINING
Front
Back
Underarms
AFTER -- FRONT AND BACK
AFTER -- STAINING
Front
Back
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