cleaning/washing very old waxed cotton trousers?

[wangdangdo]

Hello, any advice regarding this would be very much appreciated, I bought a lovely pair of 40s maybe 50s 'Union made' waxed cotton or duck canvas trousers today, i reckon these might possibly be motorcycle trousers, they have a strange crinkly plastic type material in-between the inner & outer layers of the trousers, just like the waterproof crinkly plastic stuff used in U.S navy N1 deck jackets,
these trousers could really do with a wash or a gentle clean they are absolutely minging, they smell terrible,
does anybody know of a way to wash them without damaging them or changing the colour?
thanks in advance.

 

[Fanch]

Filson's waxed cotton garments have instructions to use only a damp cloth for surface spots and stiff brush for loose surface soil. Washing will likely result in shrinkage and loss or water repellency. There might be a tag inside to instruct you.

 

[clarkedakin]

The fabric of old clothes are somewhat loose so it should be washed with care. If the stain is simple, you can easily wash it with water but if stain is strong you need to use a solvent based on cloth type. Cotton clothes can endure soaking, drying and heat too so it's easy to use bleach but as the cloth is old using bleach can be harsh so try chlorine bleach in dilute form to preserve fabric. You can also use lemon juice or vinegar.