Bunad After 17 May – Refresh It and Store It Right

Why you should deal with the bunad right away

The temptation is to hang the bunad straight back in the wardrobe after a long day – but that is exactly when you should spend a couple of minutes on it. Two things make the after-season the smartest moment: fresh stains from food, drink or grass loosen far more easily than old ones, and wool put away clean and dry is what moths want least of all. A little effort now saves you a difficult stain and an unpleasant surprise when the bunad comes out again.

First aid for the day's stains

If the bunad has picked up a stain, the rule is to do little and do it gently. The worst outcome is a stain you have set yourself – far harder, sometimes impossible, for professionals to remove afterwards. If a stain will not lift with gentle blotting, or it is oily, protein or wine, stop and let professionals take it – and tell them what the stain is and what, if anything, you tried.

1. Blot, never rub – press a clean, dry, white cloth onto the stain and work from the outside in, so you do not spread it into a ring.
2. Use no heat – no hairdryer, no ironing over the stain – heat sets many stains for good.
3. Never chlorine or bleach on wool; use only white cloths, so you do not transfer colour into wet wool.
4. For a fresh, water-based spill you can dab with a barely damp white cloth – a little, then stop – and test on a hidden spot, such as the inside of a hem, first.

Air the wool and let the bunad rest

Wool is self-cleaning when it comes to odour, and a good airing removes most of a day's wear – you do not need to, and should not, wash the wool to freshen it. Take the silver off first. Then hang the bunad in fresh, moving air out of direct sun for a day or more, so body heat and the day's moisture can evaporate. Brush lightly with a soft clothes brush to lift surface dust, and let the bunad hang and finish breathing before it is put away – never pack it away while it is warm or damp, as that invites odour, mildew and moths.

Store the bunad properly for the year

Once the shirt is washed, the wool aired and any stains dealt with, the bunad can be put away – and how you do it decides whether it survives moths, mildew and creasing until next 17 May. If you suspect any moth activity, seal the garment in a bag and put it in the freezer for a few days before storing – cold kills the eggs and larvae.

• Clean first – moths are drawn to sweat, skin and food traces in wool, so a clean bunad is the moth insurance itself.
• A breathable cover, never plastic – use a cotton or linen garment bag or a clean cotton sheet; plastic and dry-cleaner film trap moisture and yellow the fabric.
• Cool, dark and dry – the dark protects the colour; avoid attics and cellars with heat and moisture swings.
• Hang the tailored pieces on wide, padded hangers; a heavy skirt can hang from its waistband, or be folded with padded folds that you refold now and then.
• Cedar or lavender keeps moths away (refresh them as the scent fades) – but they deter, they do not kill, so check in on the bunad during the year.
• Store the silver separately, dry and airtight, never with rubber bands or rubber.

When the wool should be professionally cleaned before storage

Some things are best sorted before the bunad is put away, not after. If the wool body itself needs a proper clean, has picked up stains that will not lift with gentle blotting, or you spot moth holes, loose embroidery or silver that needs more than a light polish – the after-season is the right time, while the stains are fresh and you have plenty of time. If you are unsure, or the bunad needs cleaning, repair or alteration, you can send it to us from anywhere in Norway – describe what you want, for example silver polishing, in the comment field. You see the price before you order. Taking care of it now, while the stains are fresh, is also the easiest way to be early for next 17 May – the bunad stands clean and ready, not in a queue.

Frequently asked questions