Garment Care

How to Wash and Care for Sequinned Clothes and Pillows

Washing Sequinned Garments and Pillows

Sequins add a touch of glamour to any outfit or home décor, but they require special care to keep them looking their best. Here’s a step-by-step guide to safely washing sequined items:

Materials You’ll Need:

• Large sink or tub
• Washing machine (optional)
• Drying rack
• Clothes steamer (optional)
• Mesh laundry bag (optional)
• Gentle detergent
• Cool water
• Dishwashing liquid (optional)
• Cotton swabs (optional)
• White cloths or paper towels (optional)

Instructions:

• Inspect and Prepare: Check for surface stains. Spot treat with a mixture of mild dishwashing soap and warm water, working the solution under the sequins and on the surface. Turn the item inside out before washing to protect the sequins and threads. For pillows, unzip and remove the cover if possible, then turn it inside out. If machine washing, place the garment or pillow cover in a mesh laundry bag.

• Hand-Washing: Fill a sink with cool water and add a teaspoon of gentle detergent. Submerge the item and swish it gently. Avoid vigorous scrubbing or wringing. Soak for at least five minutes. Drain the soapy water and refill the basin with clean water. Rinse thoroughly until no suds remain. Gently squeeze out excess water.

• Machine-Washing: Select the gentle cycle and cold water temperature. Set the spin cycle to the lowest speed. Add a gentle detergent and avoid using bleach or fabric softener. Fasten all closures and turn the garment inside out. Place it in a mesh lingerie bag before starting the machine.

• Drying: Never put sequined items in the dryer. Air-dry them by hanging them on a drying rack or laying them flat on absorbent towels.

Treating Stains on Sequinned Items

To minimize potential damage, spot-clean stains whenever possible. Mix a solution of 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid with 1 cup of cool water. Dip cotton swabs in the solution and gently remove the stain, working between the sequins and on the surface. Blot the area with a clean white cloth or paper towel to absorb the loosened stain. Blot with a damp cloth to remove any soapy residue, and finish by blotting with a dry white cloth. Allow the item to air-dry.

Care and Repair for Sequinned Items

• Loose Sequins: If sequins have predrilled holes, reattach them with a thin needle and thread that matches the sequins. Tie a knot in the thread and draw it up from the wrong side of the fabric. Use tiny stitches to reattach the sequins. Fabric glue can also be used, but apply sparingly and allow it to dry completely before wearing the garment.

• Wrinkles: Never iron sequined clothes or pillows. Instead, carefully use a clothes steamer on the wrong side, keeping the steam wand at least 12 inches away from the fabric. You can also remove wrinkles by hanging the item in a steamy bathroom for 30 minutes. Allow it to dry completely before wearing to avoid creating more wrinkles.

• Storage: Store sequined items loosely folded in a clean cotton bag or pillowcase to prevent tangling. Avoid storing sequined clothing on hangers, as they can be heavy.

Washing Frequency for Sequinned Items

To prolong their lifespan, wash sequined items as infrequently as possible. Rely on spot cleaning where possible, or freshen the inside of clothing with a spray freshener.

Additional Tips:

• Some fabric glues are not permanent and may not withstand washing. Always hand-wash items with glued-on sequins or be prepared to reattach them after washing.

• Wash items inside out to prevent the sequins from rubbing against the sides of the wash basin or washing machine.

• Knitted items with sequins and heavy garments should be laid flat to dry.

• Never use a home dry cleaning kit on clothes with glued-on sequins, as some glues may dissolve when exposed to dry cleaning solutions. Consult a professional dry cleaner for proper cleaning.

• To freshen a sequined garment without washing, use a fabric freshener spray only on the inside of the piece. Avoid spraying the sequined areas, as it can dull their finish.

• If oily stains resist treatment with ordinary soap or spot remover, a home dry-cleaning solution may be effective. However, be cautious if the sequins are glued on, as some chemicals may dissolve the glue. Consult a professional dry cleaner in such cases.

• Never use bleach on sequined items, as it can cause the sequins to lose their color. Also, avoid fabric softener, which leaves a residue that can dull the sequins’ shine.