FIO FIXES IT. Over the years, Cyndi Kelli, co-owner of FIO Vintage Clothing & Decor, pictured, has curated and resold vintage clothing. Through trial and error, she has acquired many tricks to preserve items both sold at the vintage shop and in her own wardrobe.

Wearable vintage isn’t just a fashion statement; it’s a commitment to sustainability, individuality, and storytelling. When sourcing second-hand pieces for your wardrobe, each addition offers a chance to own something truly unique — often made with materials and construction techniques that stand the test of time.

These beliefs are echoed by Cyndi Kelli, co-owner of FIO Vintage Clothing & Decor (430 Water St., Eau Claire). Since the mid-1990s, Cyndi has curated and resold vintage clothing. She developed her business through eBay and personal connections, which led to her friendship with Lisa Aspenson and the vintage shop they now co-curate downtown.

Over the years, Cyndi has acquired many tips and tricks to preserve and care for her most prized possessions: vintage coats, dresses, shoes, leather goods, jewelry, and more. She provides the same care to the items available at FIO, along with educational opportunities for any customer who desires to learn more about the stories within each fabric and seam. 

We sat down with Cyndi, to discover practical at-home methods for preserving vintage items, ensuring their longevity and continued use.

How do modern fabrics differ from those of past decades, and how does this affect the way you share care methods with customers?

Fabrics didn’t really start to modernize commercially until the 1950s, and even fairly recently. Prior to the 1980s-1990s, fabric was much more delicate. Natural fibers — wool, linen, and silk — were used (for garments) up until the 1950s. Part of the reason vintage clothing has become popular is because there are all these decades to choose from. I find it fascinating — when I do talk to customers about why styles were that way (back then) — how they wore (the garments), or the story behind something.

Maja Samec, a former Eau Claire resident, models a vintage fur coat from FIO Vintage Clothing & Decor. (Photo by Evelyn Nelson)

In your experience, what types of cleaning products are recommended for vintage fabrics? Do you have a recommendation based on personal success?

For older fabrics, there are a lot more home remedies, many are basic (that) you can still use today. Anything earlier than the 1980s should be hand-washed with a very mild soap, you can use baby shampoo or Dawn dish soap — I always use the blue kind. For leather and jewelry, it's the same thing, use a very mild soap. For wool, it’s important to keep dry after having it hand-washed. In the 1950s, nylon was a big fabric in vintage sleepwear and slips. Although they do not seem delicate, they can be; I wouldn’t put them in a dryer or washing machine.

How often should clothing items be washed, what wash cycles or drying methods are encouraged?

Fabric items and clothing do not need to be washed as much as people think. They say you can wear denim 15 times before you really have to wash them. Every single time you wash (a garment), it is going to break down the threads and put friction on the weave of what the fabric is made of. Way back, there weren't chemicals and (people) didn't wash things every couple of days or after one or two wears. That still stands for today.

For stain or odor removal, what methods have proven to be most effective?

I use stain removers that probably everyone has in their cupboard (at home). You can use vinegar for some yellowing removal, or Dawn dish soap and hydrogen peroxide. What really works amazing is two parts Dawn, two parts peroxide, and then some baking soda. It turns into a paste and then you just put it on the spot — it’s amazing, I use that so often. You don’t want to scrub fabrics, because it will break down the thread or the weave. For the more delicate fabrics — like silk — you have to wash the whole garment. If you dab it with water or any type of cleaner, it will leave a spot or a ring.

Tell us one sanitization trick customers might not know about?

There are tips and little tricks to get smells out. One thing — it’s just simple — you hang an item outdoors, and the sunlight does wonders. An hour in the hot sun will take away some of the smells. Another easy and kind of odd thing is to put (the clothing) in the freezer. You don’t want to let it freeze, but for an hour can help. (The freezer) is also great for if you need to reshape leather; you can let that stay in the freezer overnight.

What is the best way to store vintage clothing to prevent damage and continue its longevity?

You have to be careful with older fabrics, a lot of the (garment) bags we have today have a lot of chemicals in them, so that can also affect the fabric. For the more delicate things, I will get acid-free bags or even an acid-free box to keep the chemicals away. The other thing is to be careful when hanging clothes; get padded hangers for silks or hand-washed (items). It’s also best to not fold a lot of fabrics, if you are going to store them for a while. The folding can strip the color and you get a line of a slightly faded fabric, wherever it’s folded. I don't hang sweaters, it’s okay to keep them in a drawer or in a bin. 

How often should the garment be inspected for signs of wear, damage, or pests?

I will take a piece out about once a year and check it over, if there were bugs or something has broken down while it’s been hanging. Usually here (in Wisconsin) I tend to check mine with the seasons.

An assortment of summer and vacation apparel, curated by Cyndi, at FIO Vintage Clothing & Decor.

Where did you learn the skills to care for your clothing and vintage garments you sell at FIO? 

Anything that I put in my store, I have cleaned, repaired, and sanitized — you’ll know it’s in good condition and wearable. I grew up sewing and constructing garments – and coming from a big family, I saw my mom fixing things. A garment had to last through sometimes three kids.

What resources would you recommend for residents and customers interested in learning more about preserving their vintage clothes?

The skill of sewing has kind of become a lost art. But, a button is an easy fix that anybody can do. If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, you can take (the garment) to a dry cleaner. They usually do easy mending or hemming. A lot of people know how to mend, you can ask a family member, try it yourself, or ask a friend if they could fix it. There are also some modern things if you need a quick fix: double sided tape that can hold a hem together, tagging guns that can hold a seam together. And, of course, safety pins are quick fixes if it’s an emergency. 

FIO Vintage Clothing & Decor is located at 430 Water St. in Eau Claire. For shop updates and announcements, follow FIO Vintage Clothing & Decor on social media (@FIO-Vintage-Clothing-Decor).