UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories Miscellaneous German Uniforms Dry Cleaning ? Yes or No

I just got a really nice Artillery Officers tunic. I not a uniform collector but I have a matching visor so I just had to buy it. Can you or even should you have a uniform dry cleaned? We have a little local mom and pop cleaner that has no problem with it being TR. Smells old and kind of dusty.

I have had good and bad luck with dry cleaners. I might take it to your mom & pop cleaners and talk to them about any concerns. Concerns might be about any loose insignia, buttons, etc. or bullion insignia and color fade or tarnish. Talk to them before you leave it but cleaning does certainly help some items.

Some dry cleaning chemicals are on the harsh side.
Ask if they have softer formulas they can use. You can always run it through twice if it turns out ok, but avoid a bad outcome.

Some high phosphate cleaning compounds will make the material glow under black light. Request low or no phosphate cleaners if possible.

Hello I wouldn't dry clean any item of value as stated agents used are harsh. it is also possible to damage both stitching and fabric that is almost 80 years old. I would use a damp cloth and soft brush and hang the items outside to air them out Once damaged through dry cleanng they are usually beyond repair. I had a cloth item litterally deteriorate 40 years ago and I was devastated cheers and best, Ryan

Thanks Everyone for your advise. I will talk to the owners of the dry cleaners but maybe I should leave it as is. I don't clean daggers and such so maybe I should let it air out when the weather gets better. The last thing I want is to harm it.

I took the tunic to the cleaners and let them take a look at it, they said it could be dry cleaned but they had a couple of concerns . The bullion eagle which they thought they may need to tack a piece a cloth over to be safe and the big concern was the buttons. As they appeared to be painted or coated in some way they were afraid the process may harm them. To be safe they would need to remove them and replace them after the cleaning. We both agreed that it was better to leave as is and they were able to remove most of the dust with a vacuum type tool. If it had moth damage it might be a different deal as the dry cleaning would kill moth eggs and such. Anyway thanks again for the response from everyone.

IF you have a friend with a Walk in Freezer in his business you could leave it in there a few days,,, It WILL kill any moths, larva, eggs hiding in it!!