How to Keep Your Costumes Looking Brand

How to Keep Your Costumes Looking Brand-New All Season Thoughtfully selected costumes can take a competition number to the next level. But since they’re worn repeatedly and packed and unpacked each weekend, comp costumes are subject to extra wear and tear. And delicate fabrics and decorations like rhinestones and beads make proper cleaning and storage tricky. As these experts know, it takes smart preparation and careful maintenance to keep costumes looking—and smelling—their best all season long. The Experts Melanie Durham, dance educator and studio consultant Donna Wiesenhart, co-owner of Pandora’s Boxe Designs costume company with Jennifer Rotondella Tammy Gagianas, custom costume seamstress Preparation Do a stress test: Before the first performance, try on your costume and identify any weak spots. “Move, jump, and stretch to see where the fabric or closures might fail,” says Donna Wiesenhart. Double-stitch stress points: Add a second row of stitching to areas of costumes that take the most strain, like side seams, underarms, and crotches. Secure zippers: Rub a graphite pencil, bar of soap, or lip balm along zipper teeth to ensure they slide smoothly and don’t snag or jump the track. Anchor buttons and snaps: “Manufacturers often use a single thread for buttons,” says Wiesenhart. Handsew a few extra loops through each button or snap to ensure they won’t pop off during a quick change. Safeguard clear plastic buckles: “The clear ones constantly break,” says Melanie Durham. “I always add a separate nude velcro strap that adheres on top to avoid any onstage mishaps.” Maintenance Clean with caution: “My rule of thumb for washing costumes in the machine would be ‘Basics are okay, others stay away,” says Durham. Pieces with sequins, ruffles, or jewels should only be spot-cleaned. Refresh smelly costumes: Between performances, spray costumes with fabric refresher or a homemade deodorizer, such as 1 cup of water with 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol to kill bacteria. “Spray costumes with a fine mist to avoid water staining the fabric,” says Tammy Gagianas. Treat stains fast: Lightly blot stains on both sides of the fabric using a damp cloth before rinsing the stain in cold water. “Avoid soaps with dyes or fragrances, and for more difficult stains, like blood or makeup, use a small amount of OxiClean,” says Durham. Rub it in lightly and rinse it off quickly. Micellar water can also be an effective stain remover. Pack a costume emergency kit: Helpful supplies include needles and thread, scissors, baby wipes, travel-size hand soap, double-sided tape, clear nail polish, a lint roller, a portable steamer, and—especially—safety pins. “Safety pins are your best friend,” says Gagianas. “They can quickly reinforce a button or snap, or prevent a zipper from coming down.” Storage Allow costumes to air-dry: “The best way to prevent odor buildup is to let your costumes dry completely after wearing them before placing them back in garment bags,” says Gagianas. Keep it together: “Storing small items, like hair pieces and gloves, with their specific costume is key to a stress-free performance day,” Wiesenhart says. Attach a clear Ziploc bag to each hanger with a safety pin, or use garment bags with built-in zippered pockets to keep accessories organized and visible. Hang with caution: Use felt or velvet hangers to keep straps from slipping, and fold tissue or fabric over the costume material when using clips to prevent marks. Avoid hanging altogether for heavily rhinestoned or very stretchy costumes. Instead, store them flat in a ventilated bin. “Hanging these items for long periods can cause the fabric to ‘grow’ or stretch permanently,” says Wiesenhart. Fasten and zip: Especially when storing costumes long-term, make sure all hooks and closures are fastened. “This maintains the costume’s original shape and helps prevent snagging,” says Wiesenhart.