DIY garment care instructions how to wash your dance costume
Do Not dry clean
Dry cleaning will damage specialty fabrics and adhesive applied finishes such as hologram, foil, vinyl, rhinestones, spangles, or sequins. Protect the brilliance of your costume by hand washing, the safest and most recommended washing technique.
Spot Clean
Use our recommended spot cleaner, Stain Remedy from Forever New. Avoid using Shout or similar products. Before spot cleaning, first test your fabric in a hidden area, like inside the collar, or request a fabric swatch from us for these purposes! Apply directly to the stain with fingertips, let soak for 2 minutes. Rinse with cold water.
Hand Wash
Hand wash using cold water with a small amount of mild soap, such as Forever New. Don’t use Woolite – it’s not a mild soap. Wash garments separately, inside out to avoid abrasion when garment has sequins or rhinestones. Do not use a washing machine. Rinse thoroughly in cold water. Do not wring, rub, or agitate. Do not soak or leave unattended during the washing process, and remove garments promptly.
Hang to dry
Thoroughly blot excess water from garment using towels (this may require using several towels). Make sure there is no additional water left in the garment; water should not be dripping from the garment. Hang to Dry. Do not place in dryer.
Do Not Iron
Spandex fabrics will melt if an iron is applied to them, leaving burn marks. Use a garment steamer to release wrinkles if needed, and hang garment to avoid further wrinkling. Store in a breathable container, like a pillowcase. Avoid plastic or nylon garment bags.
DIY Costume Washing Video Tutorials
GARMENT CARE PRODUCTS DETERGENT & STAIN REMOVER
The only detergent we recommend to safely wash your delicate uniforms.
care instructions for Specialty Items
Hologram
Hologram will show wear or become dull over time. To retain the brilliance and shine of the fabric, wear only during performances. Perspiration and exposure to chemicals such as hairspray will deteriorate brilliance and finish; therefore, wash garment to remove perspiration. Prevent absorption of perspiration and hair spray in to fabric by wearing dress gowns, dress shields, or undergarments.
Sequin Fabric
Hand wash garments with sequin fabrics inside out to prevent wear, and do not agitate. Sequin fabric will show wear or become dull, and will shed sequins over time. Perspiration and exposure to chemicals such as hairspray will deteriorate the sequin finish; therefore, wash garment to remove perspiration. Prevent absorption of perspiration and hair spray into fabric by wearing dressing gowns, dress shields, or undergarments. Do not iron, place in dryer, or dry clean.
Color Bleeding
For garments with high contrasting colors, dark or bright fabrics are susceptible to bleeding on to light color or white fabrics. Your water source and cleaning products are variables difficult to control, and can contribute to bleeding. For optimal care in preventing bleeding we encourage you to arrange garments care services through The Line Up. Contact us for more information. If you launder yourself, carefully follow the above washing instructions.
Rhinestones
Hand wash garments with rhinestones inside out to prevent wear, and do not agitate. Rhinestones or nail heads are applied using glue or a heat-setting process. Over time, these rhinestones will shed. Dry cleaning, heat, perspiration and stress to the fabric such as stretching will damage the glue bond, resulting in a loss of rhinestones. Do not iron, place in dryer, or dry clean.
Spangles
Hand wash garments with spangles inside out to prevent wear, and do not agitate. Spangles are applied using a heat-setting glue process. Over time, these spangles will shed. Dry cleaning, heat, perspiration and stress to the fabric such as stretching will damage the glue bond, resulting in a loss of rhinestones. Chemical solvents used in the dry cleaning process will also dull the spangle finish. Do not iron, place in dryer, or dry clean.
Fringe
Prevent the ends of fringe from unraveling and showing wear by taking by caring for this garment as if it were a fine, delicate dress you are saving for a special occasion. Never put in dryer or agitate in the washing machine. Do not comb through the strands of fringe with your fingertips when wet. Do not iron fringe or place in dryer.
Sublimation
Sublimation dyes will transfer when exposed to high heat. Do not iron, place in dryer, dry clean, or leave in a hot car for an extended period of time.
Embroidery
Hand wash embroidered garments inside out to prevent wear, and do not agitate. The backing on embroidery stabilizes the stitching to prevent unraveling and wear, and should not be removed.
Vinyl
Hand wash vinyl accented garments inside out to prevent wear, and do not agitate. Vinyl lettering or designs are applied to garments using a heat-setting glue process. Dry cleaning, heat, perspiration and stress to the fabric such as stretching will damage the glue bond, resulting in a bubbling or loosening of the vinyl finish. Do not iron, place in dryer, dry clean, or leave in a hot car for an extended period of time.
5 Essential Washing Tips
01 Don't be afraid to launder your garments
This will enhance longevity – perspiration can actually promote wear and break down specialty fabrics. Plus, major stink bomb! See below for more detailed washing instructions.
02 Choose one person to launder your entire team’s garments
This will ensure all garments are laundered properly and consistently. You don’t want that one person standing out from the rest of the group!
03 Store garments when clean and dry
Hang for storage after laundering in an old pillowcase. Avoid plastic or nylon garment bags. Sweat & plastic = a smelly disaster!
04 Protect your garment from hairspray and perspiration
Hairspray, chemicals and perspiration can advance wear and dull specialty fabrics. To protect the brilliance of your performance wear, get dressed like a starlet and use dressing gowns or dress shields
05 Wear garments only during performances
To enhance longevity and minimize wear. Pizza stains are nobody’s friend!
Leave it to the experts Laundry Services
The Line Up offers cleaning and laundering services for group orders of 5 or more! Contact us to get started!
