Our Repair and Laundering Processes

Every piece in the Spencer Archive is assessed individually before it is listed. Fabric, construction, age, condition, and care labels determine how a garment is prepared.

Depending on the piece, preparation may include airing, steaming, spot cleaning, hand washing, machine washing when appropriate, or professional cleaning. Delicate materials and older construction are handled conservatively rather than put through a one-size-fits-all process.

Repairs are approached the same way: the goal is to preserve the garment, not erase its history. When a repair, visible flaw, or notable condition detail is present, we document it in the listing and photographs.

Because these are pre-owned garments, care history before Spencer Archive is not always known. We distinguish what we know from what we do not, and we include the most useful care and condition information available for each piece.