Garment Care
Care Instructions
Your christening garment is a treasured keepsake. With proper care, it can be preserved for generations as a reminder of your child's sacred day.
✦
General Care Guidelines
- Dry cleaning is strongly recommended for all embroidered and beaded christening capes and mantles.
- Always test any cleaning method on a hidden area first.
- Handle garments with clean, dry hands to avoid transferring oils to delicate fabrics.
- Never wring or twist the fabric — gently press out excess water if hand-washing is necessary.
- Store garments in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent discoloration.
◇
Washing by Fabric Type
- Organza & Brocade blends: Dry clean only. These fabrics lose their structure and sheen when machine washed.
- Cotton rompers & shirts: Machine wash on delicate/gentle cycle in cold water. Lay flat to dry.
- Lace trim & overlays: Hand wash with mild detergent in lukewarm water. Do not wring — press between clean towels.
- Silk & satin accents: Dry clean only or spot clean with a damp cloth and mild detergent.
- Charro vests & embroidered pieces: Dry clean only to preserve the metallic thread embroidery.
◈
Stain Removal
- Act quickly — blot (do not rub) any spills immediately with a clean white cloth.
- For water-based stains: gently dab with cold water and a drop of mild dish soap.
- For oil-based stains: apply a small amount of cornstarch or baby powder, let sit 15 minutes, then brush off gently.
- For candle wax: allow to harden completely, then gently chip off. Treat any residue with dry-cleaning solvent.
- When in doubt, take the garment to a professional dry cleaner and identify the type of stain.
◻
Pressing & Ironing
- Always iron on the reverse side of the fabric or use a pressing cloth to protect embroidery and beading.
- Organza: Use a very low heat setting with a pressing cloth. Never iron directly.
- Cotton: Medium heat is safe. Iron while slightly damp for best results.
- Lace: Do not iron directly. Lay flat and allow to air dry — the weight of the fabric will release most wrinkles.
- Avoid steam near pearls, crystals, or metallic threads as moisture can cause tarnishing.
◯
Storage & Preservation
- Clean the garment before long-term storage — even invisible stains can set over time and attract insects.
- Store in an acid-free box or cotton garment bag — never in plastic, which traps moisture.
- Add acid-free tissue paper inside folds to prevent permanent creasing.
- Keep in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated area. Avoid attics (too hot) and basements (too humid).
- For heirloom preservation, consider professional textile conservation for museum-quality archival storage.
✧
Candle & Accessories Care
- Baptismal candle (vela): Keep upright in a cool, dry place. Do not expose to direct sunlight or heat.
- Baptismal shell (concha): Rinse with fresh water after use. Polish gently with a soft cloth.
- Baptismal manta: Dry clean recommended. Store flat or loosely rolled to avoid creasing.
- Accessories with lace: Hand wash gently and lay flat to dry on a clean towel.
“Handle with prayer”
Questions about caring for your garment? Contact us and we'll be happy to help.
