Advice - stained old linens
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Posts: 7,695
I have a very old linen tablecloth that was gift from a very dear friend when I left Texas. She had no idea how to get the yellowing out, and neither do I so I will be watching this thread in the hopes of salvaging it. ( when she gifted it, in 2006, her grand daughter was (or had just been, I can't remember which...) the governor of Louisiana. She gifted it because she knew my kitchen is decorated in Strawberries, and it has bouquets of strawberries on it. It would s one of my treasures.
#23
I AGREE with Retro Clean...Used it for a lot of vintage linens and had great results on most stains of all kinds.
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Central Missouri
Posts: 462
Get you some oxiclean and make a solution with it, much stronger than what they call for. I make a solution that almost resembles a syrup and put the linens or whatever has those brownish stains on them and soak them for at least twenty four hours in a bucket of the solution. Then pour the solution in your washing machine, add another scoop of oxiclean some soap (not too much) and wash and rinse at least twice and see if that doesn't pretty well take care of the stains. I have removed stains from old linens for several people as well as myself this way. Good luck
themachinelady
themachinelady
#27
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: howell, Mi
Posts: 2,345
I have some old lace that my grandmother made and was stored in my mom's basement. They were a kind of grey color. I used retro clean and I was amazed at the difference in the color. They also had some rust on them--gone after a good soak. I think you should try to remove the stains before storing them again. The fabric might disintegrate if you don't. One day you might get a wonderful idea and want to use them.
Sue
Sue
#28
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Victorian Sweatshop Forum
Posts: 1,271
Thanks for all the advice, lots of things to try. I will let you all know what works in the end.
I agree Susie that one day I may want to use these linens and I'd hate to make them even worse.
I agree Susie that one day I may want to use these linens and I'd hate to make them even worse.
#29
here's a tip a lady friend told me years ago, - wash in gentle cycle ,then hang out on the line on a night that has a full moon. an old wives tale that might work- can't say I've ever tried it, might be worth a "shot in the dark" .She sewed and quilted a lot and pricked her fingers a lot (was very elderly) and said this is how she would get the blood out of the fabrics.
#30
here's a tip a lady friend told me years ago, - wash in gentle cycle ,then hang out on the line on a night that has a full moon. an old wives tale that might work- can't say I've ever tried it, might be worth a "shot in the dark" .She sewed and quilted a lot and pricked her fingers a lot (was very elderly) and said this is how she would get the blood out of the fabrics.
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12-09-2010 12:20 PM