How To Clean Thrifted Finds
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As you may know by now, I love to go thrifting. You can read all about my thrifting tips HERE. You can even shop my vintage finds through my Etsy shop: Country Peony Vintage.
One question I get asked often is “how do I clean my thrifted finds?” Albeit so much fun, thrifting can be messy. Today, I wanted to break down some of my favorite ways to clean my thrifted finds. However, I would like to mention that there are so many different methods to cleaning your thrifted finds. The best is found through research and experimentation.
Before we start, I also want to note to always check the labels on cleaners to ensure they are suitable for your thrifted finds. Some of these cleaners are too abrasive for more delicate items like silver or linens.
I hope this helps you to embrace your new-to-you finds! Please let me know if you have any favorite techniques to bring thrifted finds back to life?
For your convenience, I created a complimentary video so you can see how I clean my thrifted finds. Then continue below to follow the step-by-step images.
Enjoy the video below to see how I clean my thrifted finds!
Follow Below for the Step-By-Step Pictures
Toothbrush
I always keep a toothbrush nearby to get into the nooks and crannies on vintage pieces. Whether that is a vintage brooch that you see here, or an intricate candlestick. Using your favorite cleaner or just some water a toothbrush has definitely come in handy to make those beautiful details shine!
I recenetly discovered the “magic” of the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. I purchased these vintage yellow cafeteria trays at an estate sale. They had been in storage for years, and were full of dirt. I couldn’t get the last layer of grime off. So, I tried the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and it worked like a charm!
So now I reach for it, when there is a lot of grime on my thrifted finds.
I like to follow up the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser trick with a little dish soap and warm water to remove all of the residue.
For cleaning up glass and vintage frames on old pictures, I like using a simple household cleaner like Thieves. I love these refillable glass spray bottles to put the cleaner in.
You can use any of your favorite household cleaners, whether it is a homemade blend or store bought.
I also love to spray Thieves onto my thrifted baskets (one of my favorite items to look for while thrifting because of the great price points, and unique sizes). Then I wipe the basket down, and place it in the sun to dry!
Goo Gone is a wonderful cleaning product to have nearby. It helps remove pesky price tag labels, and any additional residue that is sometimes present on thrifted finds.
Then, I always wash off the Goo Gone with some gentle dish soap and warm water to remove the Goo Gone smell and oily residue.
For my silver plated, and silver finds I like to use Wright’s Silver Cream to clean and shine them up.
It is recommended that you wear gloves with them. However, when I do smaller projects I don’t wear the gloves.
Rinse with warm water and dry with a clean towel to buff and shine.
I like to use Wright’s Copper Cream to clean my copper and brass finds.
It is recommended that you wear gloves with them. However, when I do smaller projects I don’t wear the gloves.
Rinse with warm water and dry with a clean towel to buff and shine.
One of my favorite items to thrift is quilts. I love discovering the handiwork and beautiful details that go into every quilt. I love purchasing quilts that are considered cutter quilts, or quilts that have seen better days. I love to bring them back to life as tablecloths or as part of vintage stockings for my shop.
Like many thrifted textiles, quilts hold onto dirt. However, you have to be very careful when cleaning quilts since the vintage and antique fabrics bleed.
Retro Clean helps brings the quilts back to life. I place a small amount inside my bathtub full of warm water. Then I place the quilt in, and let it sit while I stir it about once an hour. You can let the quilt sit for a day or so, or just a couple of hours. Then remove the excess water from the quilt. Depending on the quality of quilt (if there are a lot of tears or not), I will then place the quilt in my washing machine on gentle with a gentle fabric detergent. Then I will dry on delicate, or hang to dry.
For really tough jobs, I like to use Bar Keepers Friend. However, be very careful when you use Bar Keepers Friend as it is not intended for silver, brass, or more delicate items. Here is a great article highlighting what you should not do with Bar Keepers Friend.
Thank you so much for following along today!
I hope this has helped you, and inspired you to start your own thrifting adventures to find unique pieces to help tell your home’s story!
Elizabeth
