Mine by Miss Gray modern-day Garment Care types and guide for washing, cleaning and best practices.
As well as Accessory Care and Other Garment Care tips.
Find your Garment Care type in the online product listing or on your invoice
If you have other product questions refer to our FAQ
Type A - Dry Cleaning
1. Dry clean only
2. Dry cleanable
3. Dry clean Deluxe - delicate, sequin, embellished & leather
4. Dry clean Deluxe - button removal & reapplication recommended
INSTRUCTIONS & TIPS
Deluxe Dry Cleaning
It is a MUST when it comes to certain items (listed above) and is recommended if you have any garments that are delicate, expensive to purchase or are treasured items.
Deluxe items are cleaned on a short cycle and at a low temperature. They are hand finished and are treated with the care that they deserve. Due to the special care taken and the additional work required, they are usually charged at a higher rate.
We suggest that you advise your dry cleaner that you want your garment to be deluxe dry cleaned. Do not leave it to your dry cleaner to decide.
Finding a Quality Dry Cleaner
Dry cleaners are not all the same! It is best to understand what ones are experienced, and what ones to watch out for. Dry cleaners who don’t dry clean on site send your garments off to a wholesale cleaner who clean in bulk. Your garments are often not treated carefully or individually and cleaned with large amounts of other garments. This can be fine for stronger garments like a suit pant or men’s business shirt, that do not have delicate details or embellishments. However, it can be extremely detrimental and damaging if a garment is labelled ‘dry clean by specialist only’. We personally have experienced what it is like to have a dry cleaner ruin, break and even melt buttons causing us financial loss on garments that are one of a kind and irreplaceable.
After years of research we now know the only way to dry clean your luxe garments that require a ‘Specialist’ or ‘Delicate’ clean is by using a dry cleaner that cleans onsite and has a machine specifically for delicates. They can sometimes refer to this as a Deluxe Dry Clean. You can either call and ask the dry cleaner or you can check yourself when you go in and take your garments if you can see if there are very large machines or washing drums on site. We suggest finding someone as local to you as possible and create a relationship with them if you have many delicate dry clean items. Our dry cleaner now knows we have only luxe vintage garments and they ensure the best care. They keep us informed about each piece and any suggestions they have in ensuring a garment is not damaged during the dry cleaning process and they have never ruined a garment to date. They also offer free pickup and delivery over $50 so enquire if your dry cleaner offers a similar service.
Our dry cleaner:Â Centennial Dry Cleaners
Type B - Hand Washing
Type C - Machine Washing
Type D - Spot Clean
1. Spot clean only
INSTRUCTIONS & TIPS
Predominantly these garments are, fragile, contain delicate lace, or other types of decorative trims. Spot Clean Only means that the item can’t be safely submerged in any type of commercial cleaning machine. It must be cleaned by hand using a local spotting agent along with steam and air drying. We suggest engaging a dry cleaner or specialist only to spot clean as doing this at home can lead to leaving residual watermarks.
Type E - Air Clean
1. Air clean only
INSTRUCTIONS & TIPS
Air-cleaning is a natural deodoriser. A simple, yet effective practice, giving your garments room to breathe and can keep them fresh. Depending on the occasion or timeframe worn, you may simply hang your garment (inside-out for leather or thick fabrics) in the breeze and cool shade over 24-48 hours, longer if required. You will find over this time the natural air enzymes will make your garment smell new. Then if the garment care instructs, hand-wash or dry-clean when needed at your discretion.
Legacy Leather Pant
Please read carefully before wearing:
NATURE OF GARMENT
The Legacy Leather Pant (LLP) is easy to care for and will be long-lasting, up to 10 years when treated correctly and with love.
This is a genuine leather garment and there are many pieces of leather hide used in the creation of one pair of pants. Every piece of hide will always slightly vary as they are from a natural source. A pant may have minor differences throughout, in thickness, grain and marks, which are all normal for this type of fabric. Due to the nature of leather, some variation in shape and texture and are expected with time, depending how they fit you, how frequently they are worn, how they are worn & stored and cleaning.
HANGING & STORING
Hang on a strong well-shaped clip hanger using the leather protectors provided. Do not store in plastic bags. Store where air can circulate and avoid contact with humidity.
CARE
Please wear this pant for suitable activities; no hip hop classes, no skiing, no jogging and no cleaning!
Be very careful near or using sharp objects or sitting on abrasive surfaces, as some holes, tears and scratches may be irreparable.
Pets claws can cause holes, be careful not to pick them up, have them sit on you or play with them while wearing the pant.
With love and care this garment can last up to 10yrs+, therefore, we bear no responsibility for damages caused by wear.
CLEANING
Air Clean - To freshen your LLP simply refer to our Garment Care > Type E – Air Clean
Wipe Clean & Freshen - For wiping clean a small spill refer to Other Garment Care > Leather Care
Dry-Clean by Leather Specialist Only - If required after a few years, or if you have a serious spill refer to Other Garment Care > Leather Care
Miss Gray luxe vintage garment treatment
All our garments are handled with the utmost care and given the Miss Gray luxe treatment. Every item is carefully prepared either by a specialist dry cleaner, hand or machine washed and steamed or ironed. Additionally, if required, a seamstress repair any minor imperfections. All accessories from costume jewellery to sunglasses are polished, cleaned and stored protected.
Find your Garment Care type in the product listing or on your invoice and refer to the Garment Care section below for your specific and detailed care instructions.
We have created this online modern-day Product Care guide as many vintage garment care instructions are outdated due to technology advancements of dry cleaning and washing machines. This is an online easy guide to follow to care for your luxe garments and accessories.
It is essential for the longevity and preservation of your garment or accessory that you follow our Product Care instructions and look after your garments and accessories with love and care.
After shipping, clothing garments will arrive with minor fold creases from packaging, we only suggest you hang these up until creases fall out or follow their care instructions below and either give them a light steam or iron prior to wear or if it is a suit for example, take to the dry cleaner for a simple press only, if required.
Mine by Miss Gray luxe vintage garment quality
The quality and the fabrics used in the clothes that we curate are key to why our garments are so comfortable, so glamorous and have already lasted, but will last even more decades to come. Learning how to preserve your garment will extend its longevity. Learn more about how to wash and care for your fabrics and vintage garments in detail in the below Garment Care and Fabric Quality sections.
We predominately source all our garments with fabrics that are either natural or derived from natural sources, that feel luxurious on your skin and breathe to keep you cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Ultimately our number one goal is to source the most comfortable, wearable fabrics that embody classic and timeless glamour.
Costume Jewellery, Bags & Belts
Use
Your treasure is of great sentimental and monetary value, we recommend you wear these pieces to special occasions and events. Avoid wearing them if you will be undertaking activities you feel you may lose them or damage may occur - such as getting them wet.
TIP
Clip-on earrings can sometimes easily slip down from your ear. A glamorous elderly woman once gave us the tip to just use a small amount of blue-tac inside the clip, this way they will be completely secure and you can wear your favourite clip-ons without worrying you'll lose one.
Storage
Best kept in a safe place inside a jewellery pouch or box. This will protect your treasured piece from the natural air and oxidisation, dust particles and sunlight; keeping them shiny and sparkly for a lifetime.
Cleaning
If your jewellery is stored correctly, cleaning is only necessary from once a year to once in a lifetime. When a more thorough clean is required:
1. Use lukewarm water with a tincture of chemical free dish-soap with your fingers, soft cloth or ultra-soft baby toothbrush depending on the delicacy of the jewellery
2. Rinse with lukewarm water
3. Dry with a hairdryer on a cool low temperature to help evaporate remaining water particles
Sunglasses
Use
We all know the feeling of losing or leaving your favourite sunglasses somewhere. We suggest using one of our gold-plated sunglass chains when wearing your sunglasses so when you take them off, they are in a safe place hanging around your neck.
Storage
When not in use they are best kept in a sunglass case to protect from scratches.
Cleaning
Use an alcohol spray or wipes and a soft sunglass cloth to clean the lenses and frames. When a more thorough clean is required:
1. Add a small drop of chemical free dish soap on each lens
2. Add a dash of warm water
3. Use your clean hands to wash over the lenses and the arms
4. Rinse in warm water
5. Dry with a hairdryer on cool low temperature to help evaporate remaining water particles
Restoration
Over time and after many uses your sunglasses can slightly bend out of shape or the arms may loosen. Simply take them to your local optometrist who will use their expertise in restoring them back to their original shape.
Delicate, Sequin & Beaded Garments
Vintage sequin and beaded garments are made of the most luxurious fabrics. The ornamentation or bead work is all done by hand and takes between 5 and 50 full work days by a single person, creating a work of art. Any slight irregularities or variations are due to the fact that it has been totally made by hand. Your understanding of the uniqueness and total individuality of this garment will be appreciated. It is common for some sequins/beads to come off or fall off during wear over time. Do not be alarmed, this is not a reflection of the quality or reflection of a fault. It is just the nature of this type of garment. Do no pull-on loose threads as this can cause issues, just leave them and they won’t cause any major problems. If you decide you want to fix these, you can take the garment to a seamstress and they can tie off any loose ends. As long as the garment is dry-cleaned by a sequin specialist and has a safe place in your wardrobe, your vintage garment although may have some missing beads or sequins will withstand another 50 years and overall does not detract from its beauty.
Over Cleaning/Over Washing
It is also common to over-wash some of your clothing. There are many items like jackets, blazers, trenches, sweaters, sequin gowns, leather skirts and pants that should only be washed after several wears, months or even years for leather. Simply refer to our Garment Care Type E – Air Clean.
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil is the most valuable products you can keep in your laundry. By simply adding a tincture drop of pure or water-soluble eucalyptus oil to every load of hand or machine washing, it will not only act as an antibacterial solution, deodoriser and freshen, but also invigorate your senses. Note: do not use with sequin or beaded garments.
Storing Your Garments
1. Store in shade, sun will fade colours
2. Use fabric or paper garment bags, plastic does not allow a garment to breathe and will make it sweat, and cause it to deteriorate or mould overtime
3. Natural fabrics stuck in a closest not worn regularly will become musty, aerate periodically
4. Mould can form on natural fabrics such a leather in humid climates when stuck in a closet and not worn regularly, aerate periodically
For instructions refer to our Garment Care Type E – Air Clean.
Leather Care
Special care should be taken to ensure your leather garments are cared for since they can't be cleaned with traditional laundry methods. Store your leather apparel on a strong hanger in a cool, dry area to maintain its shape, as folding may create creases. This also preserves the fabric's integrity and prevents any stretching that might occur.
Since you can’t throw leather garments in the washing machine there is some basic at home cleaning you can use when its required.
You must clean spills on leather immediately with a soft cloth. Leather is porous and will absorb liquids, which can cause a stain to form if left for a long period of time. Leather can also scratch, so keep sharp objects away.
To clean a small spill on leather at home:
1. Mix a solution of warm water and dish soap
2. Dip a soft cloth into it, wring it out
3. Wipe the garment
4. Use a second clean, damp cloth to wipe off the cleaning solution
5. Dry the garment with a soft cloth and hang in cool dry place
You can also clean or polish the surface of your leather pant with a professional Leather Cleaning Cream or Gel specific for clothing (not furniture). Follow the specific manufacturer’s instructions.
Leather only requires dry cleaning by a leather specialist every few years or if you have a major spill that you cannot wipe at home with the above method. Oil and grease stains will require specialised cleaning.
Outside of this all we suggest is hanging your garment inside out, outside in the shade for 24-48hrs. Refer to Garment Care Type E – Air Clean. Keep away from heat sources.
Leather
One of the most luxurious fabrics, it is highly breathable, durable, water resistant, provides and extra layer of protection in chilling climates, has a soft comfortable fit to your body, is easy to clean and maintain and has a luxurious signature smell. This fabric can be found in our jackets, trenches, skirts and our very own Museum by Miss Gray Legacy Leather Pant: made-to-order, seen styled with all our blouses and tops in our Mine by Miss Gray Luxe Curated Vintage Boutique.
Visit our Legacy Leather Pant product page.
Rayon
Also known as viscose, acetate, lyocell and modal. Derived from wood pulp, it is extremely soft, lightweight, breathable, durable and easy to wash and care for. Slight irregularities and variations in the fabric and colour are due to the type of weave and are intrinsic to the nature of the garment. Along with silk, rayon is our most found fabric in many of our blouses, dresses, skirts, pants, jackets and coordinates.
Silk
Is one of the world's most luxurious, soft, lightweight and breathable natural fabrics on earth. Along with rayon, silk is our most found fabric in many of our blouses, dresses, skirts, pants, jackets and coordinates.
Cotton
Is a soft, comfortable, durable and breathable natural fabric. Easy to wash and care for, cotton can be found in our tops, tees, dresses, skirts and coordinates.
Wool
Also known as cashmere, mohair and angora, are considered the best all-round fabrics. Not only are they soft and comfortable, they regulate your body temperature, they’re easy to care for and look luxurious. Found in many of our sweaters, knitwear, robes, jackets, blazers, dresses, skirts and pants.
Polyester
Also known as a synthetic manmade fibre. It is not a breathable fabric and is contributing to landfill because it does not breakdown. Although we prefer natural fabrics, some polyester blend garments prove to be a useful and beautiful fabric when used in the right way and kept and worn for a lifetime.
We prefer not to source full synthetic garments but we do source some semi-synthetic garments as there are certain attributes that are only achieved with synthetic fibres e.g. metallic or iridescent blouses are made up of 75% natural threads such as silk and 25% synthetic metallic threads, producing the glamorous iridescent effect while still remaining soft, luxurious and breathable.
While the lining of trench coats are predominantly wool, the outer layer of trench or rain coats are also made of polyester/synthetic fibres as it is highly durable and never breaks down, and can often be water proof. You will find this in some of our trench coats when required.