The Nazarene tunic is a very special, expensive and delicate garment, which is why it is very important to keep it in good condition and have a proper cleaning and conservation. In our special post for Easter, we give you some tricks to clean the velvet of the tunic.
Holy Week is approaching and it is time to start preparing for everything to be perfect in this special time of the year. The tunic of Nazarene is one of the most important parts that must be kept in good condition and thoroughly cleaned.
Being such a delicate garment, we must take into account a number of considerations so that it does not spoil, so, next, we will see a few tips for the maintenance of the tunic and also to clean the velvet, a fabric with the one that you have to be very careful about when treating it.
The velvet can get spoiled during different parts of the cleaning process. For example, using a cleaning product that is too alkaline or applying too much heat during ironing are some reasons why the tunic may be damaged. Therefore, it is necessary to be very careful and treat this special garment very well.
Remember also to keep the manufacturer’s labels at hand, where its composition and the recommended way of cleaning and conservation are indicated. After all, they are the ones who know best how to treat your product. After these brief tips, let’s see how to properly clean the velvet of the Nazarene tunic.
Tips for cleaning the velvet
First of all, you should always keep the tunic clean from one year to the next. You will probably have to go over it a few days before putting it on, especially for the dust accumulated during that time, but never leave the dirty robe in the closet because the dirt will penetrate the fabric, and it will be more difficult to remove and may even spoil the rest of the tunic.
As we said, it is usual that some dust accumulates, so we are going to see how to make the tunic clean to go out in procession. For that you only have to use a brush with soft bristles and pass it carefully and delicately in the direction of the hair. By doing this, we will get rid of all the dust that may have accumulated in the year that has been stored in the closet.
Although it is not recommended to eat with the robe on, there are times when we do not have another option and we may end up staining it. To remove this food stain, use a soft sponge with a mixture of water and alcohol and rub carefully, without doing much pressure or sudden movements.
In the case that you do not manage to remove it, it may be because the stain is too greasy, so you have to resort to talcum powder. Put these powders on the area to catch all the moisture, let it act a whole day if necessary, and then use the sponge again with the mixture of water and alcohol.
How to iron the velvet tunic
As we said before, ironing is one of the most delicate process for the tunic velvet and you have to be very careful when it comes to doing it. The main thing is that the hot iron does not come into direct contact with the fabric.
For this reason, ironing should be done with steam, so place the iron close to the tunic and go slowly steaming over the areas that are more wrinkled. Another option is to hang it in the bathroom and take advantage of the steam from the hot water in the shower to make the same effect, but you have to be very careful not to splash it with water.
We know that wax stains are very common in Nazarene robes, so last year we focused on this problem and we gave you several tips to leave the tunic as new for the next procession.
If after following all these recommendations or you do not feel safe enough to carry them out (the Nazarene tunic is a very delicate and important garment), the best thing is that you resort to the services of a professional or take it to a dry cleaner.
