Vintage textiles require patience and extra care.
Handmade from high-quality, durable, premium materials, Dalila’s pieces are restorative and regenerative by design, created to be treasured for a lifetime. These simple guidelines will help you care for your textiles and extend their lifecycle to minimize the impact on the planet.
Washing and care tips
Wash the pieces periodically. Always wash darks and lights separately to avoid damaging the fabric.
Tackle stains as soon as possible (see here how to remove stains).
Use eco-friendly or PH-neutral laundry detergent. Avoid using fabric softener.
Air dry in the shade whenever possible. Using a tumble dryer can make some organic fabrics shrink.
Ensure items are dry and clean before you store them in a well-ventilated place.
Iron at a low temperature just before use.
Stain removal guide
In our opinion, old methods are the best way to remove stains on antique items. They are gentle, environment-friendly, and by far the most effective when it comes to antique textiles. That’s also what we use at the Dalila atelier. We share a few examples with you below:
How to remove stains from white clothes:
- Place the garment in a basin. Ensure it’s covered with water (just enough to keep it damp).
- Coat the stain with lemon juice and salt and let it soak.
- Place the basin in direct sunlight for 1 to 2 hours and ensure the item doesn’t dry out.
- When the water starts to disappear, rinse it thoroughly.
- Wash the garment as usual.
Warning: do not use this method on delicate fabrics like wool or silk.
How to remove grass stains:
- Mix one tablespoon of rubbing alcohol with three tablespoons of water.
- Apply it directly with a clean sponge, gently rubbing the stain.
- Rinse and leave it to dry. If does not work the first time, repeat the process.
Warning: do not use this method on delicate fabrics like wool or silk.
How to remove red wine from clothing:
- Soak the item in a bowl of cold milk, just enough to cover the stain.
- Gently rub the stained area so that the fabric absorbs the milk.
- Leave it overnight and then wash with water and neutral soap.
How to remove dye transfer stains from colored clothes:
- Soak the garment in a basin of cold water and add bay leaves.
- Leave it for a few hours, and you’ll see its original color again.
How to remove a sweat stain:
- Pour white vinegar on the stain and leave it for 30 minutes. Wash and dry as usual.
- Alternatively, you can dissolve an aspirin in 100 ml of water and soak the stain with the mix. Leave it on for 2 to 3 hours and wash the item as normal.
Special care: Linen and cotton
Cotton and linen fabrics can be washed using a low-temperature, low-spin washing program.
Delicates can either be hand-washed or put in a washable laundry bag in the delicate cycle.
Set your iron to a low temperature before ironing.
Special care: Delicate fabrics
Delicate materials – such as embroidery, lace, and silk – should be dry-cleaned or hand-washed in cold water.
It is also advisable to use a pressing cloth when ironing delicate fabrics.
Try and wrap very delicate items in colorless, acid-free tissue paper when storing them.
