Hanboks are beautiful traditional Korean garments that look stunning when worn. But when they become stained with mud, it can be difficult to restore them to their former glory. Here’s how to clean mud stains from a Hanbok and make them look as new.
Updated 28 Jun 2023
By Isabelle Trottier
Begin by blotting the mud stain with a clean, dry cloth to absorb as much of the mud as possible. Next, pretreat the mud stain using a laundry prewash stain remover product. Apply the product directly onto the stain and allow it to sit for 10–15 minutes before washing.
Next, fill a sink or basin with cool water and a tablespoon of mild detergent or laundry soap. Place the Hanbok in the sink and allow it to soak for 30 minutes. Afterward, gently agitate the fabric first with your hands then with a soft brush or sponge. Rinse fabric until all traces of detergent and mud are gone.
Fill a washing machine with cold water and set it to the gentlest cycle. Add a mild detergent to the wash cycle and place Hanbok inside. After the cycle is complete, remove the garment from washer and hang it up to dry. Do not place Hanbok in the dryer or use hot water as it can cause fabric to shrink.
If there are still traces of mud on the Hanbok, spot cleaning may be necessary. Mix equal parts of water and white vinegar and apply the solution directly onto the mud stains with a clean rag. Allow the solution to sit for a few minutes before blotting away with a clean cloth. Repeat this step until the mud is completely removed.
Cleaning mud stains from a Hanbok is not an easy task but it is possible. By following the steps outlined above, you can restore your Hanbok to its former glory and make it look as good as new.
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