Vintage clothing has many advantages and is wonderful to wear. But if you've ever bought vintage, you probably recognize it: that typical musty smell that sometimes clings to a garment. This phenomenon even has a name: permastink . In this blog post, we'll explain what permastink is, how it develops, and most importantly, how to remove it. This way, you can enjoy your vintage finds even more!
What is permastink and how does it form?
Permastink is the term used to describe persistent odors in vintage clothing. These smells often arise from years of exposure to smoke, perfume, and moisture, combined with poor ventilation. Because vintage clothing is usually made of natural fibers like wool and cotton, these materials tend to retain odors. Think, for example, of a beautiful wool coat that has hung in a musty closet for years – the smell penetrates deeply.
At Flamingo Vintage, we understand how important it is to keep your vintage clothing smelling fresh. That's why our items are always carefully cleaned before they appear in our webshop. But if you've found a unique piece yourself, you might need some help removing unpleasant odors. Below, we share our top tips!
How to properly wash vintage clothes
From experience, most odors are removed by washing the garment correctly. Do you have a vintage dress or blouse made of sturdy cotton or polyester? Then you can wash it in the washing machine on the regular cycle. Add a dash of natural vinegar to the fabric softener compartment to further neutralize odors. Don't worry, the vinegar smell won't linger and will disappear completely after drying.
Some vintage items are made of delicate fabrics like wool, silk, or viscose. Regular washing is often not suitable for these materials. Therefore, always follow the washing instructions – if they still exist – and when in doubt, use a wool cycle or wash by hand.
Tips for wool and delicate fabrics:
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- Use a mild wool detergent and cold water to prevent shrinkage or damage.
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- Gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring!) and dry the garment lying flat on a clean towel. This will prevent it from losing its shape.
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- Avoid the dryer – it's deadly for vintage clothing!
How do you get odors out of clothes without washing?
Vintage coats and jackets pose a challenge because they're almost never washable. Fortunately, there are other ways to get them fresh again:
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- Airing: Hang the jacket outside on a dry day. Fresh air works wonders! Make sure the jacket is out of direct sunlight to prevent discoloration.
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- Steam: Use a clothes steamer to remove unpleasant odors and freshen the fabric. No steamer? Hang the jacket in the bathroom during a hot shower; the steam will help a lot.
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- Professional cleaning: For stubborn odors, you can hire a dry cleaner. Choose a cleaner experienced in vintage clothing.
At Flamingo Vintage, we ensure that all coats and jackets you buy from us are fresh and clean. We air, dry-clean, and treat our items carefully, so you don't have to worry about a thing.
How do you remove stubborn odors?
Do you have a vintage item that can't be washed and airing and steaming aren't enough? Try these extra tips:
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- Bag: Place the garment in a sealed bag with some baking soda or an odor eliminator. Leave this for a few days to remove odors.
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- Alcohol spray: Take a bottle of pure cleaning alcohol, fill a spray bottle with a 1:2 mixture of alcohol and water, and lightly spray the garment inside and out. Let it air dry. The alcohol disinfects and evaporates quickly, removing odors without leaving a scent of its own.
A fresh start with Flamingo Vintage
At Flamingo Vintage, we believe vintage clothing deserves a second life. That's why we pay extra attention to the quality and freshness of our items. Every garment you buy from us is inspected and properly cleaned. This way, you can be sure you're buying not only a unique item but also one that smells clean and fresh.
