A general guide to the care of cleaning and caring for Kimono which will be updated as and when I come across new information on these topics. A lot are my own experiences in caring for Wafuku which is a process in itself that requires time and dedication.
Keeping your sleeves tied up
You may be thinking, I just want to know how to keep my silk sleeves out of my oily dinner. Simply take a long strip of softer fabric, cotton normally, and making a X across your back and having your arms encircled get someone to help you tie the note, or make a loop of 8 and put it on. When you have achieved this, tuck both sleeves behind you under the ties.
Washing Polyester:
Cold water soak and washing machine. If its sun-cream, cold water and eucalyptus or white vinegar.
Washing Silk:
Dry cleaning Specialist. Immediately. Dont wash with water or you will get the rings of death.
Antique Washing:
Remember secondhand is from someone else, vintage is 20 years old and antique is 90 years or older.
Antique kimono should be given to the proper cleaner in your available area. Most take them apart piece by piece and wash by hand, then dry-clean. Tailoring is its own separate service and whilst they will be sewn together again, it may not be as specific as some tailors.[1]
I recommend personally to only wash antiques when they absolutely need it, as the more times they undergo washing the more likely they are to start decaying, becoming redundant as kimono. When using day-to-day, take great care and use a soft brush (like animal hair) to remove unwanted materials (breadcrumbs are a prime example with me). Essentially also understand if you get a stain on antique silk, you are stuffed, repairs can be made but most likely it will require covering the area with a patch, applique, embroidery or the like. So please don't stain them in the first place. Ta.
Folding
There are many belated ways of folding kimono, I personally fold in rectangles. I recommend starting by laying the kimono flat on the ground on its front, making the T shape. From there, take the edge of your sleeves and fold in half, then fold the Eri and sleeves along the seams into the body making one long rectangle. Fold 3-4 times into smaller rectangles (if you have squares, somethings gone wrong) and store away.
If you want to do this standing up because like me you are lazy, put both your hands to the edge of the inside sleeves and fold the sleeves and body together into halves. Pinch the shoulder seam at the end of the arm creases, stow your sleeves and fold jauntily into rectangles and store away.
Storage
When you store kimono, aim to store them folded flat appropriately as space allows, do not store rolled kimonos. Keep them in soft, non-shedding papers and another layer of non-shedding breathable fabric atop this. Keep these packages and exposed kimono out of sunlight. If you can afford it, you want to get a paulownia chest. This wood is heat, moisture and insects repellant.[2] It isn't if you pour tea in the open drawer of course.
[1] https://bellatory.com/fashion-industry/kimono-fabrics
[2] https://kogeijapan.com/locale/en_US/nagoyakiritansu/
Socials:
https://linktr.ee/Kaguyaschest
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/KaguyasChest?ref=seller-platform-mcnav or https://www.instagram.com/kaguyaschest/ or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5APstTPbC9IExwar3ViTZw, or https://www.pinterest.co.uk/LuckyMangaka/hrh-kit-of-the-suke/
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