Washing a Bunad Shirt and Apron – the Safe Home Wash

Only the shirt and apron can be washed – never the wool

The most important rule in all bunad care: the wool body – skirt, bodice, jacket, vest and breeches – is never washed at home. Wool can felt, shrink, lose its shape and bleed dye in water, and proper cleaning of the wool is professional work. What you can wash are the light textile pieces:

• The shirt (skjorte) – usually white linen or cotton, often with whitework at collar and cuffs.
• The apron (forkle) – in most bunads linen or cotton, and then washable the same way.
• Exceptions: some aprons are wool or silk, and some shirts are old and very fine – these are not washed at home.

Check the fibre and colourfastness first

Before you wash anything, you need to know what the piece is made of and whether the colour holds. If you are in doubt, treat it as a professional job rather than taking the chance.

1. Feel the fabric: linen is crisp and cool and creases sharply, cotton is softer, wool is warm and fuzzy, silk is smooth and lustrous.
2. Look for a care label – many modern bunad shirts have one, and then you follow it.
3. Test colourfastness on a coloured apron: dab a hidden spot with a damp, white cloth and check whether it lifts dye.
4. If the fabric bleeds colour, or you are unsure of the fibre, do not wash it – then it is a professional job.

How to hand-wash the shirt and apron

Genuine linen and cotton take a gentle hand-wash well. The key is lukewarm water, a mild detergent and gentle movements – never chlorine, and never rough scrubbing that frays the hand embroidery.

1. Use lukewarm water (never hot) and a mild fine- or wool-wash. Avoid optical brighteners and never use chlorine bleach, which weakens and yellows linen.
2. Soak the piece briefly, and swish it gently in the water – do not scrub or twist.
3. Rinse thoroughly until all detergent is out; residue attracts soil and can yellow the fabric over time.
4. Never wring – roll the piece in a clean towel and press the water out gently.

Dry and iron correctly

Correct drying and ironing preserve both the shape and the whitework. Linen and cotton take a hotter iron than wool, but the embroidery is still handled from the reverse.

1. Dry flat or on a line, out of direct sun – sun can yellow linen and set some stains.
2. Iron while the piece is slightly damp, and press whitework and other embroidery from the reverse so the texture holds.
3. Light starch on collar, cuffs and apron is traditional and optional – keep it off the embroidery itself.
4. Let the piece dry completely before it goes back with the bunad.

When the piece should go to a professional

The wool bunad itself always belongs with professionals – it is never washed. The same goes for a shirt or apron you cannot confirm is linen or cotton, an apron in wool or silk, or an old, very fine piece with delicate whitework you are afraid for. If you are unsure, or the bunad needs cleaning, repair or alteration, you can send it to us – describe your wish, for example silver polishing, in the comment field. You see the price before you order. Be early – dry-cleaners fill up before 17 May.

Frequently asked questions