Julie1

I have approx. 40 vintage doilies and hankerchiefs that I want to use in a quilt top. They were all made by my great-grandmother. I need to know how to clean them. They are yellowed and have brown (age) spots. Some places I have looked say to use white vinegar; some places say to use Biz; and other places say to use hydrogen peroxide. Most of them say to do multiple soapings and then to let them soak for an extended period of time, up to 24 hours.

Anyone have a good set of directions on how to get this job done? I want to do it right so that they will be clean and safe for the future.

jb

Jim

I have heard to use Milk of Magnesia to get them the whitest and supposedly gets rid of all the yellow and dark spots....soak in a dilution of 2 parts water to 1 part milk of magnesia, then put into a garment bag and wash on low.

slicksister

Oxy Clean is my go to cleanser of choice.

rebeljane

Nappy soaker solution is a good cleaner

TanyaL

Although they have spotted from lack of use, their strength - as in thread strength- may be fine. Take the one you like the least and try whichever method you like. I would personally put it in a mesh bag and wash it with a load of unbleached clothes in cool water in my washer. Does the fabric hold together? Did it come clean? If the fabric didn't stay together, do you still want to use these? How clean did it come? does it still need some spot cleaning? If so, now try some special cleaning methods. These old doilies and hankies were workhorses when they were being used. They should hold up to normal cleaning methods now unless sunshine or other factors have runned the strength of the threads. You aren't dealing with silk or 200 year old fabric.

BMP

Hand wash/soak in the sink with Oxi...mine came out wonderful. I layed them flat to dry on bath towels.

dbright

Sun also helps.

Jackie Spencer

1 part Dawn to 2 parts Peroxide works great for me. Removes just about anything.

maryb119

I have some hand tatted lace that my dad found in the attic that his great grandmother had made. I soaked it in Biz and washed it by hand. The lace came out great. I don't know what I am gonna do with it yet. It is so old. my dad is 83 and he remembers his great grandmother making lace when he was a littl boy.

Scissor Queen

I personally would use a Biz soak to start with. It's the least likely to cause harm.