Costume Care
Handling
Wash hands thoroughly before handling the costume.
Please do not allow your dancer to play dress up in the costume.
Labeling
Put dancer’s name inside all pieces of the costume, including accessories (gloves, ties, hats), tights & shoes. Use the tags; do not write directly on the fabric. If costume is tagless, write dancer’s name on masking tape and stick tape to the inside of the costume. Labeling helps us return lost items quickly.
Strap Adjustments
Costume straps may need adjusting to insure the costume covers the front of the dancer and will not slip down once the dancing begins. Non-adjustable straps must be tacked (sewn) into place. Be sure the straps are loose enough that your dancer can easily get in and out of the costume. If you need assistance, please contact us for a seamstress recommendation.
Wrinkle Removal
Hang costume(s) in a clean, dry place on a hanger to allow wrinkles to fall out. If the costume is still wrinkled, hang it in the bathroom far away from the water while a hot, steamy shower is running. Please do not iron costumes as ironing can change the costume color, melt sequins and/or burn the fabric..
Storage
Store costumes and new tight at home in a closet protected from young children and pets. Use the garment bag that came with the costume or another durable garment bag.
Tights
Label with dancer's first and last name and place tights inside garment bag with the costume. Wear the new tights for Photo Day, Dress Rehearsal & Performance Day ONLY so they look new under stage lighting. Tights fade with multiple washing so do not wear your performance tights to your weekly dance class and do not wash prior to photos.
Tights will not be ordered after February 8th, 2020. If you would like to purchase Tights, please visit our Teachers Page on Discount Dance.
Undergarments
Traditionally dancers do not wear underpants under costumes since panty lines & colors will show through. To prepare for performance day, it's a good idea for your dancer to practice attending her weekly dance class without underpants under the tights. Explaining to young dancers that a leotard is similar to a bathing suit helps speed along the process. If your dancer is uncomfortable, we recommend wearing a nude camisole leotard under her costume and begin wearing it to her weekly dance class.
Nude Camisole Leotard
Label with dancers' first & last name and store in the garment bag with your costume unless you're wearing it to class. When dressing, put on the camisole first and then put tights over the camisole leotard. This allows the dancer to change tights without having to remove the leotard.
Nude Camisoles will not be ordered after February 8th, 2020. If you would like to purchase a Nude Camisole, please visit our Teachers Page on Discount Dance.
Wash hands thoroughly before handling the costume.
Please do not allow your dancer to play dress up in the costume.
Labeling
Put dancer’s name inside all pieces of the costume, including accessories (gloves, ties, hats), tights & shoes. Use the tags; do not write directly on the fabric. If costume is tagless, write dancer’s name on masking tape and stick tape to the inside of the costume. Labeling helps us return lost items quickly.
Strap Adjustments
Costume straps may need adjusting to insure the costume covers the front of the dancer and will not slip down once the dancing begins. Non-adjustable straps must be tacked (sewn) into place. Be sure the straps are loose enough that your dancer can easily get in and out of the costume. If you need assistance, please contact us for a seamstress recommendation.
Wrinkle Removal
Hang costume(s) in a clean, dry place on a hanger to allow wrinkles to fall out. If the costume is still wrinkled, hang it in the bathroom far away from the water while a hot, steamy shower is running. Please do not iron costumes as ironing can change the costume color, melt sequins and/or burn the fabric..
Storage
Store costumes and new tight at home in a closet protected from young children and pets. Use the garment bag that came with the costume or another durable garment bag.
- Hats: Store in a hatbox to prevent crushing.
- Tutus: Always hang upside down to maintain the shape of the skirt.
Tights
Label with dancer's first and last name and place tights inside garment bag with the costume. Wear the new tights for Photo Day, Dress Rehearsal & Performance Day ONLY so they look new under stage lighting. Tights fade with multiple washing so do not wear your performance tights to your weekly dance class and do not wash prior to photos.
Tights will not be ordered after February 8th, 2020. If you would like to purchase Tights, please visit our Teachers Page on Discount Dance.
Undergarments
Traditionally dancers do not wear underpants under costumes since panty lines & colors will show through. To prepare for performance day, it's a good idea for your dancer to practice attending her weekly dance class without underpants under the tights. Explaining to young dancers that a leotard is similar to a bathing suit helps speed along the process. If your dancer is uncomfortable, we recommend wearing a nude camisole leotard under her costume and begin wearing it to her weekly dance class.
Nude Camisole Leotard
Label with dancers' first & last name and store in the garment bag with your costume unless you're wearing it to class. When dressing, put on the camisole first and then put tights over the camisole leotard. This allows the dancer to change tights without having to remove the leotard.
Nude Camisoles will not be ordered after February 8th, 2020. If you would like to purchase a Nude Camisole, please visit our Teachers Page on Discount Dance.
Costume Cleaning
To Clean or Not to Clean, That is THE Question!
To Clean or Not to Clean, That is THE Question!
Our #1 Tip:
“Never wash or iron a costume unless you’re prepared for a disaster.”
“Never wash or iron a costume unless you’re prepared for a disaster.”
Most costumes can be worn two or three times before washing is necessary.
Air Drying
Self Cleaning
Odor Management
Suggestions
Attempt only after the performance!
Dry Cleaning
Air Drying
- After each use, remove costume from the garment bag.
- Air dry on a hanger, not a hook, in a place with good ventilation.
- Do not hang costumes outside in the sun as it can fade the fabric.
- Do not leave a damp/wet costume in a garment, dance or plastic cover.
Self Cleaning
- Please call us before attempting any self-cleaning method.
- Never put costumes in the washer or dryer.Never wash feathers, flowers, rhinestones, sequins, beads or other special trim.
- Always treat a small, hidden area first to ensure the fabric will not react unexpectedly to the cleaning agent.
- Spot cleaning costumes for spills or soil must be done immediately; stains become more set (and difficult to remove) the longer they are on the fabric.
- Products such as Tide to Go Instant Stain Remover (aka “the Tide Pen”) will remove stubborn stains without washing.
Odor Management
- Try any fabric treatment on a small, hidden area of the costume first (prior to treating the whole garment) to ensure the fabric will not react unexpectedly.
- Experts recommend “Fresh Again”, sprayed on the inside of the costume, to eliminate odors rather than covering them up with a fragrance. It works over-night, not instantly, and is usually safe on most costume fabrics and trims.
- Aerosol Products: Spray around the garment, rather than directly on it.
Suggestions
Attempt only after the performance!
- Experts recommend Woolite or non-detergent cleaning products for costumes.
- Wash costumes in tepid water in the sink and follow the instructions on the product label carefully.Let the costumes soak for two minutes or less.
- Gently agitate the costume by squeezing it underwater for no more than one minute.
- Rinse thoroughly with cold water until soap bubbles disappear.
- Gently squeeze out excess water.
- Carefully spread the costume on a large, clean, colorfast towel or drying rack. The flatter the costume is laid out, the less wrinkled it will be when it dries.
- Place in a well-ventilated area away from sunlight or heat sources.
- Most fabrics dry fairly quickly with little further care.
Dry Cleaning
- Check the costume for a “dry clean only” label. If present, consult the dry cleaner for his/her cleaning recommendations.
- Note: Some dry cleaning methods/chemicals can damage fabric & remove color from trims.
- Be sure the cleaner can assure you that the costume will not be damaged.