Clean costumes used in a production

​This standard is about your ability to clean individual costumes used in a production.

This may involve assessing appropriate cleaning methods, dealing with specialist and delicate garments, awareness of the shooting location and production schedules, knowing the impact of the cleaning choice on fabrics and fibres, maintaining continuity when washing and drying costumes and assessing and working within limited resources and facilities.

This standard may be applicable to costume supervisors, costume assistants, costume standbys or wardrobe assistants.

---

1. ​assess the item and identify the most appropriate cleaning method
2. recommend cleaning methods for items that cannot be wet washed  or dry cleaned
3. identify and assess allergies and sensitivities of performers and the costume team to cleaning products
4. assess and select the appropriate cleaning products
5. source and use dry cleaning specialists when appropriate
6. liaise with dry cleaners to confirm the timescale and budget
7. clean costumes following care instructions
8. clean and polish footwear and accessories following care instructions
9. confirm continuity requirements and clean items accordingly
10. identify, assess and remove stains
11. identify stains and odors that cannot be removed via standard methods and make cleaning recommendations
12. identify cleaning issues as they arise and liaise with the appropriate personnel
13. consider how much of the costume is seen in each scene
14. a cleaning schedule in line with the production schedule and sequence
15. identify and source the necessary washing and drying facilities required within the budget
16. follow COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations when cleaning products
17. follow the productions confidentiality rules
18. communicate clearly across production staff and other relevant departments
19. follow health, safety and environmental legislation, policies and guidelines

---

1. ​the production requirements, budget and schedule
2. the costumes to be cleaned taking into account continuity and the reason for cleaning
3. allergies or sensitivities to cleaning products (of performers and costume team)
4. the production budget
5. different cleaning methods and cleaning products
6. how to assess items and select appropriate cleaning methods and techniques
7. how to handle and clean vintage / fragile items
8. how to interpret care labels and symbols
9. water temperatures and their impact
10. how to use different cleaning products
11. cleaning methods used for stubborn odours or stains such as ozone cabinet, odour eliminators, stain removers
12. how to clean / polish footwear and accessories
13. how to identify issues prior to or during cleaning and drying
14. spot cleaning and stain removal techniques
15. laundering techniques and equipment for delicate, vintage and specialist costumes
16. drying techniques and equipment for delicate, vintage and specialist costumes
17. suitable dry-cleaning specialists and cost
18. the continuity requirements and how to maintain continuity
19. the most appropriate time to carry out cleaning of items in line with the production schedule
20. the appropriate and adequate cleaning facilities required and how to acquire and organise them
21. the productions confidentiality rules
22. production staff and departments involved and the communication protocol
23. statutory responsibilities under health, safety, COSHH and environmental legislation

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

2

---

30 Mar 2026

---

Current

---

Original

---

ScreenSkills

---

SKSQ23

---

Arts, Media and Publishing, Associate Professionals and Technical Occupations, Crafts, Creative Arts and Design, Media and Communication, Media Associate Professionals, Performing Arts

---

3422

---

costume; wardrobe; clean; production; garments; method; specialist; delicate; shooting; location; operating; equipment; fabrics; fibres; washing; drying; resources; facilities

---