Spooky dust bunnies, scary (perhaps even….. radio-active?) stains, the scent of something mysterious and disturbing. Unboxing old Halloween costumes can be a truly frightening experience - like a closet-sized haunted house in your own home! Before you decide to toss the old costumes away without a second glance and purchase something new, we’d like to make a case for revival. Can you wash Halloween costumes? Yes! And here’s your ultimate guide to washing costumes.
Washing Old Halloween Costumes
Step 1
Pretreat stains
Mix into a bucket one gallon of warm water with one Oxi Boost Pod. Submerge a washcloth into the bucket, and gently rub the solution all over the item. Rinse with cool water.
Step 2
Turn garment inside out
This is the best way to prevent pilling, which we all hate. This will also keep shrinking at bay, so don’t skip it!
Step 3
Wash
Pop it in the wash with similar fabrics and an Active Wash Pod. Select permanent press, and the warm water setting.
Step 4
Dry
The best option is to air dry these fabrics to avoid shrinking, but if you’re in a rush drying on low heat won’t do any long term damage.
Now they’re all freshened up and ready for a party, but what about when November 1st comes along? Wondering how to prep your Halloween costume for storage so its life span is as long as possible? We’ve got you covered on that front as well.
Washing Halloween Costumes Before Storing Them
Step 1
Turn garment inside out
Like we mentioned above, this prevent pilling and shrinking!
Step 2
Wash
Pop it in the wash with similar fabrics and an Active Wash Pod. If you’re seeing stains from this year’s festivities, throwing in an Oxi Boost pod for good measure isn’t a bad idea! Again, wash on permanent press, and the warm water setting.
Step 3
Dry
To ensure that the costume is as clean and dry as possible, let it air dry in the sun! This will kill any lingering bacteria and ensure that there is no trapped moisture in the fabric before you seal it away in a storage container.
Are you in need of a new costume this year, because the old one doesn’t fit or feels like a blast from the past? Instead of buying, try pulling together a look from this list of 40 Halloween Costumes from Items in Your Closet! Happy Halloween!