Friday, July 31, 2009

Vineyard Vines Love Vol. 39871

**Nothing like a little VV talk to break me out of my normally programmed tweets and bring my thoughts to blogger.

While sitting in traffic I looked down at my collection of Vineyard Vines totes and thought gosh I NEED TO CLEAN THESE PUPPIES! And I posed the question on Twitter and got a few different suggestions, one was to put it in the washing machine on gentle and that did the trick, one said to NOT put it in the washing machine and to spot clean it or dry clean them. I have spot treated them over the years and it has worked but to be honest, I just don't want to take the time over and over. And if at the end of the day that is what it takes, I'll do it, but why not throw the question to all of you (though most of you are on twitter, maybe I just want a collection of answers!)! If you have any tricks, suggestions or even horror stories please share!


To pass a little time I decided to try out intense spot cleaning on my VV clutch. Below is a before picture, believe me that things was DIRTY, I use it daily as my normal wallet and though it's a bit of a pain to always search through it to find my coffee punch card or whatever else I've shoved in there, I love it and don't foresee changing my daily use until fall/winter!

I sprayed it with Shout Advance, inside and out. I wanted to test out the inside too as it is the same lining as the inside of the tote bags.
This is a little flawed as one picture I did not get was me scrubbing it inside and out with my nails to get the Shout in and to hopefully get the dirt out (hands were covered in Shout, forgive me). I then filled the sink with cold water and submerged it while rubbing it together using my nails yet again. I kept squeezing out the water and making sure I was getting all of the Shout out once I could tell it was getting cleaner. Lots of rubbing and rinsing, you all know how that works.


Because it is so humid out, I figured I would let it air dry outside! If it was sunny out I would have put it in the sun, but the rain decided to YET again make an appearance so the porch was my only option. You can really tell it did a great job, not going to know for sure until it dries, but i'm happy thus far!

AND when you're on the Cape and you're passing time, what else is more fitting then adding a "Kimba Cocktail" into the mix. Vodka, Soda Water and a splash of Light Cranberry Juice. (Though you should really all know that by now)!

Figured it would dry better upside down!
Now as I sit back and enjoy my "Kimba cape Cocktail" I will wait for all of your tips on how to keep these gems clean! Also i'll spare you from suggesting to just buy a new one though it's a great thought and it did cross my mind, it's not happin' anytime soon!

3 comments:

tv said...

I'm a little OCD when it comes to cleaning these lovelies so I'll start with spot treating any major stains or discolorations with a little oxyclean/water solution (only on the off-white canvas portion) using an old toothbrush or nailbrush. After letting it set, I'll put the entire tote in a mesh laundry bag and wash it with a drop of detergent, cold water, on the gentle cycle, no dryer. My totes' canvas surfaces were also scotch guarded ahead of time so I'm not sure if it has made a difference.

Belle- Pink Cupcake said...

Yeah, mine was a complete mess after I got it out of washer. I didnt think of scotch guarding it though! P.s. I now really want one of those VV clutch! If you ever see one, let me know!

Monogram Momma said...

I must admit, Kimba. I'm a little disapointed. No OxyClean?!?!?!

(r.i.p. Billy Mays)