Ultimate Guide to Caring for Rhinestone Clothing
Adding rhinestones to clothing not only elevates the visual appeal of your wardrobe with sparkle and elegance but also adds value, by offering a unique and personalised touch. From enhancing evening gowns with glamour, to giving casual denim a fun, edgy twist, and making dance costumes shimmer on stage, the application of rhinestones offers endless creativity. Whether you choose the hotfix or non hotfix method, customising your clothing is straightforward. However, as with any form of rhinestone embellishment, general wear and tear can result in stones becoming loose or falling off, especially if the garment is regularly worn and washed.
Proper care of rhinestone embellished clothing is crucial for maintaining both the sparkle and longevity. Regular and careful maintenance ensures that the rhinestones remain firmly attached and continue to look as good as they did on day one. This involves gentle cleaning, avoiding harsh chemicals, and using the correct storage methods to prevent damage. By investing a little time in the care of your embellished garments, you can preserve their appearance and functionality for years to come.
This guide is here to help you restore that lost sparkle and offer repair and maintenance tips.
Understanding Rhinestone Attachments
There are various ways to attach rhinestones to clothing and many different types of rhinestone embellishments to choose from. The most common are flatback rhinestones, which are the small round sparkly gems often used to decorate dance dresses, shoes, accessories, and many other things. These are available in hotfix and non hotfix:
HOTFIX RHINESTONES
Hotfix rhinestones have the glue already incorporated in to the back of the stone and requires heat to melt the glue, allowing it to stick to the material. The main advantage of using hotfix crystals is that you don't need to purchase any additional glue, as it is already the on the stone.
NON HOTFIX RHINESTONES
Non Hotfix rhinestones can be applied to almost any surface with Gem Tac or E6000 glue, making this the most popular application method. If your project is small or just a one off, for example adding crystals to a t-shirt or pair of shoes, then non hotfix is the way to go. It is more cost effective, as non hotfix rhinestones are cheaper to buy, plus you don't have to invest in a hotfix applicator tool.
SEW ON STONES
Sew on stones are large, different shaped rhinestones that have a flat foil backing, just like non hotfix rhinestones, but they also have a hole either side of the stone to enable you to sew them onto your fabric or garment. This ensures extra durability and means you can wash the garment without fear of them falling off. They are often used on fashionwear and clothing to add an expensive, luxury feel.
RHINESTONES IN SETTINGS
Crystal settings are rhinestones encased in gold or silver metal cases that can be sewn onto fabric, they are commonly used on bridal wear but also high end fashion due to their expensive looking nature.
RIVETS
Rivets are a great way to apply rhinestones to fabric if you have the correct tools – you would need a fly press or manual rivet applicator. This method is mainly used in the fashion industry as they produce clothing in bulk, but rivets are also popular for embellishing pet collars, dog leads, accessories and jewellery. Rivets are ideal for use with thick strong materials such as canvas, leather, vinyl, denim, thin metals, suede, thick cottons. Ideally your fabric needs to be approximately 2 - 4mm thick. Read more about how to attach rivets to fabric.
Routine Care and Handling
Tips on careful daily handling and how to avoid dislodging rhinestones:
- Use care when putting on or taking off clothes that have rhinestones on to minimize pulling or stretching.
- Don't iron over the top of the rhinestones otherwise the glue will melt and they will move around or come loose.
- Make sure rhinestone embellished clothes don't come into contact with rough surfaces.
- Keep flat when not in use.
Recommendations for storing rhinestone clothing to prevent damage:
- When storing rhinestone clothing, lay the items flat if possible, or hang them on padded hangers to prevent stress on the embellishments.
- Wrap each piece in a soft cloth or garment bag to protect the stones from rubbing against other items, which could cause damage or tangling.
- Transport rhinestone embellished clothing in a suit bag if possible.
Cleaning Rhinestone Clothing
If your item of clothing needs to be washed, we always recommend hand washing, inside out if possible. Use only warm water with a small amount of detergent, and avoid fabric conditioner because this can loosen the rhinestones. Also avoid using a washing machine, dry cleaners or tumble dryer.
Washing and Drying Practices
- Removing Loose Rhinestones – Firstly, check for loose stones, you may as well replace these now so it saves you a job next time. Gently run your hands over the crystallised fabric and you will feel straight away if any are loose. You may be able to pull them off yourself, but if not, use a sharp tool like a craft knife to ease the stone off. Take care not to pierce the fabric.
- Replacing Non Hotfix Rhinestones – If you are embellishing with non hotfix rhinestones, we advise using Gem Tac or E6000 glue. Squeeze a small amount of glue (smaller than the size of your rhinestone) onto the fabric, allow a few seconds to get tacky, then pick up and place the rhinestone on top of the glue using a pick up tool. Push the rhinestone down with enough pressure to ensure the glue bonds, but not too much that the glue seeps out from the edges. Don't worry if it does seep, it will dry crystal clear.
- Applying Adhesive – It is important to use the correct glue for your fabric. Once you have the right glue, we recommend using an applicator syringe to apply it neatly and in small amounts.
- Replacing Hotfix Rhinestones – If you are embellishing with hotfix rhinestones, you will need a household iron or hotfix applicator wand to apply them. To iron on rhinestones, place the stones shiny side up onto the fabric in your desired position, then cover with a sheet of baking paper to protect the fabric. Next, iron over the top (without any steam) for 10-20 seconds. The heat from the iron will melt the glue on the rhinestone and bond it to the fabric. To apply rhinestones with a hotfix wand, make sure you have the correct size tip screwed in, allow the tool to heat up, then use it to pick up and place the rhinestones.
- Replacing Sew on Stones – if you are embellishing with sew on stones, you will need to have a needle and thread, preferably a thread that matches colour with your fabric. Some people like to glue their sew on stone in position first, to give extra durability, but it's up to you. Once in position, sew the needle from the back of the fabric (inside of garment) through the hole in the rhinestone and bring it back down through the fabric as close to the stone as possible. Repeat this a few times to ensure a strong hold. Do this for every hole in the stone.
It is always handy to keep a few spare rhinestones in your craft kit just in case, along with a small amount of glue, a sewing kit and any other tools you need.
Conclusion
In conclusion, preserving the sparkle and longevity of rhinestone clothing requires attention to detail in both daily handling and maintenance. From the method of attachment to routine care, cleaning, and storage, each step plays a crucial role in ensuring your embellished garments retain their quality. By following these tips, you can keep your rhinestone clothing shining for years.