What is your charity shop bargain of the week?

silvasava

Many times manufacturers put dry clean only to make sure items are not washed on the wrong programmes or that colours may run. I'd wash it on a 30 deg gentle wash (delicates?)with just a light spin.

Pollycat

Funnyfreckle
That coat looks really smart.

I've not been inside a dry cleaners for probably 30 years.
I've washed lots of things that said dry-clean only, including a Jaeger mohair coat (from a charity shop) - it did smell of wet dog whilst it was drying though, and never had a mishap.
I'm with silvasaver, I'd wash on silks/delicates.

You might have a problem with creasing - how do you think it would iron?

funnyfreckle

GreyQueen, Silvasava and Pollycat - thank you all so much for your help. I really appreciate it. I knew I could find help on here x

I'm now encouraged to keep the coat and will have a go. I'm not sure I would be brave enough to try ironing it ... I could try an inside bit of the coat and see what happens.

VintageHistorian

My bargain of the week is a lovely long-sleeved thick cotton top from Seasalt Cornwall, only £2 in the local Oxfam shop. They normally don't have any clothing less than £5 so I think they put it low as they didn't recognise the label - similar tops are £30 on the Seasalt website so very happy with that!

Miró

GreyQueen wrote: »

I would be tempted to risk hand-washing this jacket gently, in a large vessel like a bathtub, squeezing water out (i.e. not wringing it out), starting the drying process flat over a towel over a clothes airer, and finishing it drying over a coat-hanger.

HTH, gotta run. GQ x

Ooooh nice coat! I too would adopt this hand-washing approach and then get a couple of bath towels and put the coat between them and press out as much water as possible, makes drying a bit quicker. Then as GreyQueen says dry flat to start with.

funnyfreckle wrote: »

I'm now encouraged to keep the coat and will have a go. I'm not sure I would be brave enough to try ironing it ... I could try an inside bit of the coat and see what happens.

Can I suggest that you don't iron the fabric directly if ironing the outside as you may get horrid shiny iron marks on that type of fabric. Iron over a cloth instead. Try smoothing and pulling the fabric straight as it dries....may be all that's needed. Actually with that style of coat a few slight creases would not look amiss...think 'distressed look! I quite enjoy a challenge like that especially when it's such a bargain to start with. Do let us know how you get on

Miró

Pollycat wrote: »

Wilko do some that are not fishnet but are 'filled in' - IYSWIM - and also padded.
http://www.wilko.com/washing-lines-pegs+peg-bags/wilko-delicates-washing-bag-white/invt/0328211

I always wash my bras/bikini tops in them as well as anything that has beads or sequins on.
And all knitwear.

I just stuff delicate things in a pillowcase and fasten with a couple of tiny safety pins

charlies-aunt

From my fav CS Age UK - navy fine knit sweater dress with a subtle geometric pattern and a moss green long line cardi - £1 each.


A little disappointed to find that the cardi is a little tight in the upper arms (which is possibly why it was in the CS!) I am going to try washing and gently stretching that area to try and get the fabric to 'give' a little more.... if that doesn't work, it will have a makeover into a sleeveless long line waistcoat


Visit to Primarni next time I'm in town - fingers crossed that they have some JM lookalikees left!

Pollycat

Well, I can categorically say that the Jo Malone smell-alike is not in Derby Primark.
I had a list (from Miro's DM link) of the 6 fragrances and checked the make-up area and the 'home' area and all the tills.
Leeds & Harrogate. Hmmm.
Maybe they are rolling it out in posher areas. But will keep my eyes open

Slim pickings in the 13 charity shops.
Probably because I'm now very picky & most shops seem expensive to me.
Bought a dusky pink White Stuff dress with teal & grey pattern and crocheted edges to sleeves.
£4.24 (half price) from BHF.
Wouldn't have paid £8.50.

And a once-read Jeffrey Deaver 'The Steel Kiss'. 50p.

Floss

I wouldn't say that Blackpool is a posh area And there are a few fragrances, quite possibly more than 6 in my local store.

Pollycat

Floss wrote: »

I wouldn't say that Blackpool is a posh area And there are a few fragrances, quite possibly more than 6 in my local store.

Yes, but the DM article specifically mentioned 6 that were Jo Malone smell-alikes.
And none of those were in store.
Lots of other fragrances but none of those 6.