i dunno, but i highly doubt the equipment was this clean and shiney back in the day... i mean... pure white shirts and dresses come on 
they didnt have laundry machines back then and they had other things to do than sitting at the river all day long, washing
It really depends, when there was a battle campaign you are right. But when it comes to any other activity when opurtinity to show of your gear was presented, all was as shiny as possible. It is mentioned in medieval writings very often, a show of wealth like cars novadays. Also everyone above pesants were great fighters just like there are only great drivers today
Main basic mistake in medieval reconstruction of XII+ europe is that everyone wants to be the shiny knight, and very few choose to be one of at least 25 people who do stuff for him.
5k euro on random medieval armor parts I fancy? Sure!
0.5k to make sure every single thing you have is handmade and fits period you actually reenact? So... I have to read sh1t now? Forget it.
ps. they had very specialised and advanced laundry machines, woman servants.
