3. What I do is I put them outside on porch on a hanger and let them air out.

4. If I want to get some of dirt out, I use a nice stiff brush and brush dirt out of it.

(A stiff hairbrush works fine.)

5. If you still really want to clean it, I would suggest soaking it in cold plain water with some type of wool fabric cleaner like Woolite.

Any cleaning tips you have please send them to coach@civilwaruniforms.net, so we can pass them on to other reenactors.

Coach McCoach has been creating patterns and making Civil War uniform items for 25 years. His Civil War uniform designs have been seen in movies GETTYSBURG, ANDERSONVILLE and Antietam Visitors Center. For more information, contact coach@civilwaruniforms.net or visit http://www.civilwaruniforms.net

2004 permission granted to reprint this article in print or on your website so long as contact information is included to coach@civilwaruniforms.net and http://www.civilwaruniforms.net

Coach McCoach has been creating patterns and making Civil War uniform items for 25 years. His Civil War uniform designs have been seen in the movies GETTYSBURG, ANDERSONVILLE and the Antietam Visitors Center. For more information, contact coach@civilwaruniforms.net or visit http://www.civilwaruniforms.net

I started painting fifteen years ago. I had always wanted to paint, had never pursued it, and literally just woke up one day and said, "Today I start painting!" I did, and two months later sold my first piece. Next thing I knew, I had a custom artwork shop going out of my home, and later, opened a brick and mortar store that I had for over a year, until my mother became ill, so I went back to painting from home. Kris started out designing book covers in elementary school for extra money. April started out scrap-booking about two years ago, and has taken off with her own designs and techniques. I also work in ceramics, clay, and jewelry, and have sold items through wholesalers in Texas and Colorado. All because I decided I wanted to paint! Go ahead, give something a try! "If you can dream it, you can do it"!

"An Artist's Dream" http://www.tias.com/stores/anart offers a Abstract, Fine art, and creative designs using oil, acrylic and mixed media. Visit Laura and Kris at Ice Originals II ~ Collectibles, Jewelry and Artistic Designs, http://www.tias.com/stores/iceorig "An Artist's Dream", and "Ice Originals - Inside out!!!". http://iceoriginals.faithweb.com

Laura is the owner of Ice Originals II ~ Collectibles, Jewelry and Artistic Designs . She is a practicing Artist and collector. View her items at http://www.tias.com/stores/iceorig