Washing clothes that have sequins, beads, or other metallic accents can seem daunting. These delicate materials may easily snag or fall off in the washing machine. However, with some simple tips and tricks, you can safely launder these items at home without ruining them.
Should You Hand Wash or Machine Wash?
When it comes to washing clothes with sequins, beads or metallic accents, the first question is often whether to hand wash or machine wash. Here are some guidelines:
- Hand washing is generally recommended for heavily beaded, embroidered or sequined items. The agitation of a washing machine can cause beads, sequins and metallic threads to snag, pull, or come loose. Delicate hand washing allows you to gently clean while minimizing friction.
- Machine washing may be suitable for items with just a few sequins or beads. Turn the clothes inside out, use a gentle cycle, and place them in a mesh garment bag for washing. This helps protect embellishments.
- Read garment care labels. Instructions will often specify “Dry Clean Only” or “Hand Wash Only” when delicate materials are used. Follow these directions to prevent damage.
- For metallic accents like rhinestones, sequins, or beading, err on the side of caution and hand wash if unsure.
Hand Washing Clothes with Sequins, Beads or Metallic Accents
Follow these tips for safely hand washing delicate items by hand:
1. Check Sequins and Beads
Before washing, inspect your garment carefully. Look for any sequins, beads or embellishments that may already be loose or hanging by a thread. Remove them to prevent further damage in the wash.
2. Use a Mild Detergent
Choose a gentle laundry detergent, soap or hand wash solution. Avoid regular detergents as these can contain harsher chemicals and bleach that could fade metallic fabrics or dissolve glues on embellishments.
3. FillSink With Lukewarm Water
Wash your item in lukewarm water. Very hot water can damage delicate fabrics and cause metallic threads to tarnish.
4. Gently Agitate the Garment
Once filled, gently move, rotate and press the garment in the water to loosen dirt. Do not wring, twist or scrub aggressively.
5. Rinse Thoroughly
Drain the wash water and refill the sink with fresh, lukewarm water to rinse. Rinse well to remove all soap residue which can dull sequins or beads over time.
6. Support Beads and Sequins
As you move the item in water, provide extra support around any beaded or sequined areas. This prevents excess strain on the embellishments.
7. Drain and Press Water
After rinsing, drain the sink but do not wring out excess water. Instead, gently press down on the garment to remove moisture. This minimizes friction around delicate accents.
8. Lay Flat to Dry
Lay the garment flat on top of a towel to air dry. Do not hang beaded, sequined or metallic clothes as the weight can warp or stretch fabrics and pull on embellishments.
Washing Machine Tips for Sequined and Beaded Clothes
If care instructions permit machine washing, follow these precautions:
- Turn the garment inside out prior to washing. This prevents embellishments from snagging and friction against the drum.
- Use a delicate cycle with cool or lukewarm water. High heat can damage metallic threads or fabrics.
- Choose a gentle wash setting with minimal agitation. Opt for the shortest cycle possible.
- Wash items separately to prevent snagging between fabrics. Do not overcrowd.
- Place sequined and beaded clothes in a mesh garment bag. This adds a protective layer around easily-damaged embellishments.
- Use a mild detergent without bleach or fabric softener which can dull metallic shine.
- Inspect embellishments after washing to ensure none have loosened or torn. Remove any dangling sequins or beads.
- Air dry on a flat surface or drying rack. Avoid wire hangers which can catch on sequins or beads.
Drying Sequined, Beaded and Metallic Clothes
It’s important to dry delicately embellished clothes with care:
- Lay flat on a towel or drying rack. Avoid hanging dripping wet clothes as the water weight can overstretch fabrics and stress embellishment attachments.
- Dry out of direct sunlight which can fade metallic fabrics, beads or sequins over time.
- You can speed up drying time by placing a dry towel on top of the laid-out garment, pressing gently to draw out moisture. Replace towels as needed.
- Use cool air from a hair dryer on a low setting if needed around embellished areas but avoid heat concentration in one spot.
- Do not tumble dry sequined, beaded or metallic accent clothing as dryer friction and heat will damage the adornments.
- Once completely dry, store the garment on a padded hanger to help maintain the shape of the fabric.
Removing Snagged Sequins or Beads
If a sequin or bead does come loose or snag during laundering, promptly remove it to prevent further damage:
- Do not pull on the remaining attached thread as this could unravel the fabric.
- Use small sharp scissors to snip the thread close to the base of the sequin or bead.
- For small holes left behind, consider sewing on a replacement matching sequin or bead if the area is visible.
- Keep spare sequins and beads from the garment producer if available, or remove sequins inconspicuously from interior seams to make matches when needed.
When to Take Sequined and Beaded Items to the Dry Cleaner
Some sequined, beaded and heavily embellished pieces will require professional dry cleaning. Here are signs it may be time for the dry cleaner:
- You notice embellishments are starting to feel loose or fray at threads.
- Sequins, beads or metallic accents cover a majority of the garment surface area.
- Clothes have intricate beading or sequin designs across stressed areas like the bust, sleeves, or shoulders.
- Fabric feels very delicate and lightweight like chiffon or has metallic lace overlays.
- The item is heavily soiled and dirt is lodged into beading or sequin crevices.
- Care instructions explicitly say “Dry Clean Only.”
- You’ve tried washing it at home and damage occurred.
The chemicals and professional steam pressing at dry cleaners can safely clean heavily embellished clothes without harming delicate accents or fabrics.
Caring for Different Embellishment Types
Some specialty care may be needed for certain sequin, bead, or metallic embellished clothes:
Sequined Clothes
- Use narrow delicate cycles and mesh bags to prevent snagging
- Try not to wash high sequin-density areas like bodices
- Apply clear nail polish to loose sequin edges to re-adhere
Beaded Clothes
- Hand wash gently by swishing beads through water
- Avoid submerging entire beaded fabric underwater
- Lay flat immediately after washing without wringing
Metallic Clothes
- Check for tarnish-proof care instructions before washing
- Use non-chlorine bleach detergent to prevent corrosion
- Dry in shade to prevent sunlight damage to metallic shine
Rhinestones and Jeweled Trims
- Seal any loose stones with clear nail polish before washing
- Hand wash gently by dipping stone edges only, not full fabric
- Use a soft-bristled brush to clean dust from intricately set stone edges
By keeping these special considerations in mind, your embellished clothes can stay stunningly vibrant for many wears. With the right gentle care, washing items with sequins, beads and metallic accents can be easy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Washing Sequined and Beaded Clothes
Should you hand wash or machine wash sequined clothes?
Hand washing is typically recommended for sequined clothes. The delicate agitation helps prevent snagging and loosening of sequins during the wash. For garments with just a few sequins, turning them inside out and using a garment bag in the washing machine on delicate may also work.
What is the best way to dry beaded clothes?
The best way to dry beaded clothes is to lay them flat on a towel or drying rack. Avoid hanging them while wet as the water weight can warp fabrics and overstretch bead embroidery. Dry out of direct sunlight to protect colors.
How do you stop sequins from falling off in the wash?
To stop sequins falling off in the wash, inspect them for looseness first and remove any dangling ones. Hand wash gently in lukewarm water. Use a mild detergent and rinse thoroughly. Avoid wringing and lay flat immediately after rinsing to dry. Use a garment bag if machine washing.
Can you put metallic clothes in the washing machine?
It depends on the care instructions. Some metallic clothes are machine washable if turned inside out first. Use cold water on the delicate cycle. Others may be dry clean only. Heat and agitation can damage metallic threads so err on the side of hand washing if unsure.
How do you wash beaded chiffon fabric?
Wash beaded chiffon fabric carefully by hand in lukewarm water using a very gentle detergent. Do not submerge the entire fabric underwater or agitate roughly. Simply swish gently to clean beads and lift dirt. Rinse well, drain excess water by pressing gently and lay flat immediately to dry.
How do you fix a fallen sequin?
If a sequin falls off, use small sharp scissors to snip its thread close to the fabric base to avoid further unraveling. Replace it by hand-sewing on a matching sequin if the area is visible. You can also use clear nail polish to adhere loose sequin edges back in place.
Should you dry clean a beaded dress?
For dresses heavily covered in beading, dry cleaning is recommended. The chemicals and steam pressing provide a deeper clean compared to home washing for intricate beaded designs. Take to a dry cleaner if beads feel loose, are in high friction areas or if made from very delicate fabric.
How do you wash sequined shirts?
Turn sequined shirts inside out and place in a mesh garment bag before machine washing on a delicate cycle with cool water. Use a mild detergent. Some hand washing may be required around heavy sequin embellishments across the front. Dry laying down on a flat surface.
Can you put clothes with rhinestones in the washing machine?
It is best to hand wash clothing with rhinestones. The motion of a washing machine can cause rhinestones to become loose or fall off completely. If machine washing, use a mesh bag and gentle cycle. Inspect rhinestones beforehand for any loose stones and repair.
Conclusion
Washing clothing with delicate sequins, beads, or metallic accents requires gentler care than regular sturdy fabrics, but it is certainly possible at home. By following specific hand washing steps, taking precautions with the washing machine and dryer, and understanding how to make repairs if embellishments become damaged, your special adorned clothing items can stay stunning for many wears. With the proper delicate approach, embellished clothes can be kept clean and shiny as new.