Caring for Polish folk costumes

Folk costumes combine fabrics, embroidery, lace, ribbons, tassels, buttons and other decorations. Treat them gently. If a garment combines materials, follow the care requirements of its most delicate material or decoration.

Woollen cloth

Have woollen coats, waistcoats and similar garments professionally dry-cleaned. Air them after use and gently brush with a soft clothes brush. Carefully blot small marks with a clean, slightly damp cloth without rubbing. Do not machine wash, soak, wring or tumble-dry. Keep away from radiators, direct sunlight and other heat sources.

Woven woollen stripes

We recommend professional dry-cleaning for skirts, aprons and other garments made from striped woollen fabric. Water washing may shrink or distort the fabric or cause colours to bleed. Air regularly and gently brush along the weave. Do not rub, soak or wring. If ironing is necessary, iron on the reverse through a cotton cloth at a temperature suitable for wool.

Cotton velvet

Have velvet corsets and similar garments professionally cleaned. Machine washing and hand soaking may distort the structured shape, flatten the pile or damage decorations. Do not iron directly on the right side. Gently release creases with steam without pressing the iron onto the fabric.

Cotton cloth and cotton etamine

Cotton blouses, shirts and petticoats can be hand-washed or machine-washed on a delicate programme at up to 30°C with mild detergent, provided their decorations and other materials allow it. Fasten buttons, protect embroidery and separate white garments from strong colours. Do not use bleach or harsh stain removers, soak for a long time or spin at high speed. Reshape and dry naturally; do not tumble-dry. Iron on the reverse, avoiding embroidery, lace and ribbons or protecting them with a cotton cloth.

Embroidery, ribbons, tassels and decorations

Do not rub decorations vigorously, soak them or iron directly over them. Gently separate and arrange tassels with your fingers. We recommend professional cleaning of the whole garment for heavily decorated corsets, skirts, coats and complete costumes.

Leather shoes

Remove dust and dry dirt with a soft brush or cloth after use. Use a small amount of care product suited to the leather type and colour, testing it first in an inconspicuous place. Do not wash, soak or dry shoes on radiators. Let damp shoes dry naturally at room temperature. Fill with clean paper to absorb moisture and help retain their shape.

Storage

Store garments clean and completely dry, protected from damp, sunlight and moths. Fold heavy skirts and woollen pieces to prevent stretching under their weight. Use suitably wide or padded hangers for corsets, coats and shirts. For long-term storage, use breathable fabric covers. Avoid sealed plastic bags and vacuum packing for delicate or structured garments.

Ask the workshop

These recommendations come from Polskie Stroje Ludowe. Before cleaning, ask us if you are unsure about a particular fabric, embroidery or decoration: stroje@stroje.pl.