how to | conquer the smell of vintage

finding the perfect vintage piece is always a moment of shopping triumph. but sometimes this triumph is tempered by the horrid smell of musk-nastiness. here are three ways to clean vintage clothes and get rid of that pesky smell (uck):

1the vinegar solution

add a few cups of distilled white vinegar in the hot water of the washing machine. throw in the clothing.

(vinegar fights musk and mold.)

2the charcoal solution

1. wash the clothes with  detergent + a cup of baking soda

2. hang the clothes outside to dry and air out. 

3. place a cloth bag full of activated charcoal in a plastic tub. put the clothing into the tub with the charcoal, close the lid and leave overnight. hang the clothing up to dry. 

4. rub the clothing gently with a scented dryer sheet, or spray with a fabric deodorizer.

3the liquor store solution

(straight from valet)

"all you have to do is mix one part vodka with two parts water in a spray bottle," says janie bryant, the costume designer for mad men. "it works every time—that's the power of vodka for you."

sources | katherine lynn | ehow | finnflair |valet mag