Here at Dry Clean City of Vestavia Hills, we post garment care tips that may be of interest to our customers.  One of our customers called last week and asked us for recommendations to store their father’s old military uniform, so today we are posting some tips to clean and store old military uniforms.

Few experiences can be so satisfying as connecting to your history. Genealogies and other historical research have become wonderful hobbies for people around the world, who have traced their heritage back generations and found their true connections in the past. One of the easiest ways to preserve a family’s history is to take care of military uniforms that have passed through the generations. Whether your grandfather served in World War II or you have a cousin currently serving in Iraq, properly preserving a military uniform can ensure that the legacy of heroism that fuels armed forces around the world is carried on into the future.

Cover the soft brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner with a nylon stocking. This will limit the strength of the suction the vacuum can produce.

Vacuum the uniform thoroughly with your covered vacuum attachment. Go over all parts, inside and out, to remove dust or other buildup that can damage the material.

If vacuuming alone does not get the uniform clean, have the garment professional dry cleaned or serviced by a professional preserver. Especially for older uniforms, certain types of cleaning or chemicals can damage the material, so always consult a professional before starting the process.

Pad the inside and outside of the uniform with acid-free paper. This special type of paper is most commonly used in photo albums and historical archives, and can be found in many arts and crafts stores. The paper will protect the uniform from dust and other potential harmful compounds while posing no risk to the garment.

Store the uniform in a storage case designed to handle uniforms and other delicate historical materials. These cases are often on sale at historical societies and museums. If possible, use a case in which the uniform can be completely stretched out, as opposed to folded. If not, store the uniform in a cedar chest to protect it from moisture and damaging insects such as clothing moths.

Store the uniform in a cool, dry, dark place. Do not use an attic or basement–these areas tend to have high levels of moisture that, over time, can seep into the storage case and sometimes the uniform itself and cause irreversible damage.

We Are Easy On The Environment & On Your Wallet!

205-823-1265

www.inthehamper.com

Here at Dry Clean City of Vestavia Hills, we post garment care tips that may be of interest to our customers.  One of our customers called last week and asked us for recommendations to store their father’s old military uniform, so today we are posting some tips to clean and store old military uniforms.

Few experiences can be so satisfying as connecting to your history. Genealogies and other historical research have become wonderful hobbies for people around the world, who have traced their heritage back generations and found their true connections in the past. One of the easiest ways to preserve a family’s history is to take care of military uniforms that have passed through the generations. Whether your grandfather served in World War II or you have a cousin currently serving in Iraq, properly preserving a military uniform can ensure that the legacy of heroism that fuels armed forces around the world is carried on into the future.

Cover the soft brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner with a nylon stocking. This will limit the strength of the suction the vacuum can produce.

Vacuum the uniform thoroughly with your covered vacuum attachment. Go over all parts, inside and out, to remove dust or other buildup that can damage the material.

If vacuuming alone does not get the uniform clean, have the garment professional dry cleaned or serviced by a professional preserver. Especially for older uniforms, certain types of cleaning or chemicals can damage the material, so always consult a professional before starting the process.

Pad the inside and outside of the uniform with acid-free paper. This special type of paper is most commonly used in photo albums and historical archives, and can be found in many arts and crafts stores. The paper will protect the uniform from dust and other potential harmful compounds while posing no risk to the garment.

Store the uniform in a storage case designed to handle uniforms and other delicate historical materials. These cases are often on sale at historical societies and museums. If possible, use a case in which the uniform can be completely stretched out, as opposed to folded. If not, store the uniform in a cedar chest to protect it from moisture and damaging insects such as clothing moths.

Store the uniform in a cool, dry, dark place. Do not use an attic or basement–these areas tend to have high levels of moisture that, over time, can seep into the storage case and sometimes the uniform itself and cause irreversible damage.

We Are Easy On The Environment & On Your Wallet!

205-823-1265

www.inthehamper.com