How to Wash and Care for Clothes and Pillows With Sequins

Washing Clothes or Pillows With Sequins

1. Inspect and Prepare the Item

   Look for surface stains on the clothing item or pillow. In prepping the material to clean, spot treat by dabbing a cotton swab dipped in a mixture of mild dishwashing soap and warm water. Try to get beneath the sequins with the swab, as well as clean any grime on the surface of the sequins.

   Turn the item inside out for washing to prevent damage to the sequins and threads. For decorative pillows, unzip and remove the cover if possible, then turn the cover inside out to wash.

   If you will be attempting to wash the item by machine, place the garment or pillow cover into a mesh laundry bag before washing.
   

2. Wash the Item by Hand or Machine

   Hand-washing: This is the most gentle and reliable method for cleaning a sequined shirt, sweater, or pillow. Button or zip all closures, and turn the garment inside out. Fill a sink with cool water and one teaspoon of gentle detergent designed for hand-washing.

   Completely submerge the item, and swish it through the water. Don't scrub vigorously or wring the garment tightly. Too much agitation can bend or break the sequins. Allow the item to soak for at least five minutes.

   Drain the soapy water, and refill the basin with clean water. Rinse the sequined item until no suds remain. Gently squeeze out the water.

   Machine-washing: If the item's care label allows for machine washing, select the gentle cycle and cold water temperature. Set the spin cycle on the lowest speed to prevent damage to the sequins. Add a gentle detergent, and don't use bleach or fabric softener. Button or zip the garment completely. Turn it inside out so that the sequins are protected, then place it in a mesh lingerie bag before starting the machine.

3. Air-Dry the Item

   No matter how you wash your sequined item, skip the dryer. Never put freshly washed sequined garments or home accessories in a dryer because the sequins or glue could melt. If the garment is made from a woven fabric, it can be hung to air-dry, or laid flat on absorbent towels.

Treating Stains on Sequined Clothes and Pillows

Because any form of washing can risk damaging or detaching the sequins, you may be able to get by with just spot-cleaning stains. Mix a solution of 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid with 1 cup of cool water. Mix well, and use cotton swabs dipped in the solution to remove the stain. Work between the sequins to reach the base fabric as well as any stain on the surface of the sequins.

Blot the area with a clean white cloth or paper towel as the stain is loosened. When the stain is gone, blot the area with a cloth dipped in water to remove any soapy residue. Finish by blotting with a dry white cloth, and allow the item to air-dry.

How to Care for Clothes and Pillows With Sequins

Extra care will have to be taken if your sequined item is damaged. Loose sequins? If the sequins have predrilled holes, they can be reattached with thread. Use a very thin, fine needle and a thread that matches the sequins. Tie a knot in the thread, and draw it up to the surface from the wrong side of the fabric (the knot will be on the wrong side). Use tiny stitches, and reattach the loose sequins. You can also use fabric glue to reaffix loose sequins. Use the least amount possible, and allow it to dry completely before wearing the garment.

You may end up with wrinkles even if your item is covered in sequins. Never iron clothes with sequins. Even ironing on the wrong side with a pressing cloth can cause the sequins or glue to melt. Instead carefully use a clothes steamer to steam out the wrinkles. Steam on the wrong side, and keep the steam wand at least 12 inches away from the fabric.

Storing Clothes and Pillows With Sequins

The best way to store items with sequins is loosely folded in a clean cotton bag or pillowcase. This will keep the item from getting tangled with loose threads or loosely woven garments. Clothing items with sequins are often quite heavy and do not lend themselves well to being stored on hangers.

How Often to Wash Sequined Clothes and Pillows

Any kind of washing inevitably puts strain on sequins, so it's best to wash them as infrequently as possible. Rely on simple spot cleaning where possible, or freshening the inside of clothing with a spray freshener.

Tips for Washing Clothes and Pillows With Sequins

• While some types of fabric glue are permanent, many won't hold up to washing. Always hand-wash the item if the sequins are glued on, or be prepared to reattach the sequins after washing.
• Wash your item inside out to keep the sequins from rubbing against the sides of the wash basin or washing machine.
• Knitted items with sequins and any especially heavy garment should be laid flat to dry.
  
• Never use a home dry cleaning kit to clean clothes with glued-on sequins. Some glues will melt when touched by dry cleaning solutions. A professional dry cleaner will know how to properly clean the garment.