Removing yellow and old food stains from embroidered linens
linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
13 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (21)
lindac
13 years agofranksmom_2010
13 years agoRelated Discussions
Removing wrinkles from crocheted tablecloth
Comments (20)OK Don't be horrified, but I restore natural fabrics all the time...here's the secret :) (I have restored many a table cloth that everyone gives up on). Fill a bathtub with hot water, and DENTURE CLEANER :) Yup denture cleaner. I normally use, about a dozen tablets for a large item, half a dozen for a dress, less in a smaller bucket of hand made laces. And let it soak. Just like dentures, it targets the natural enemy's of teeth and fabric, coffee, acid, body oder marks (which are the worst enemy of antique dresses). It works on linen and cotton as well as silk, but silk takes a different process depending on the silk stregnth (pre 1930's normally can't take it). But a 100 plus year old table cloth...easy stuff. Let it soak until the stains are gone. Try to get cheap denture cleaner (less likely to have any fancy crap in it for freshness but if those are there they won't hurt). As long as the fabric is natural cotton or linen it will work like a charm and the hard soaking will deal with the wrinkle issue. When clean let the tub drain, then using the palms of your hannds push it in bunches down against the tub base to softly squeeze out the water (it's not as delicate as you'd think). Then take it out of the tub and lay it on a bunch of towels (lay them out sort of like a big blanket. Roll the table cloth in the towels and then once again, with the palms of your hands squish it down again to let the towels soak up the excess water. Hang it over the shower rod. If the thing is so far gone the threads are rotted you'd know that because it fell apart when ironing. If it can handle an ironing it can handle the above. I actually wash mine (after restoration) in a machine on gentle and then dry them in a cool dryer. If they're not strong enough for that they're not strong enough for use on the table :) I personally iron mine right on the table with a thick cloth (comforter etc) inbetween. I use a steam iron, but I also keep a bottle of spray water and use that on each section as I work on the cloth. I don't care for startch but many do use that on them. This denture cleaner technique is the friend of anyone who loves antique linens. It will remove color so for any items with color it's a last ditch effort to be considered but really, last ditch! My only bad experience is when I did some hand tatted lace (huge amount of it) that was what loooked like a natural tan color but in fact was gray naturally which I found out when it was cleaned. I'd purchased it for a specific project so I had to scramble to find that amount again, but while doing so I made somethng else for the gray. :)...See MoreOld Linens
Comments (8)We just had an estate sale of my parents things. Packaged up many very old linens, most in great condition. This after my siblings and I taking what we wanted, or could use. The adult grandkids wanted none of it, but we (their parents) made them each take a few things. We grouped the rest - napkins, tablecloths, dresser scarves - together and asked .50 a napkin and $1.00 a tablecloth. We sold maybe a forth of the linens. One lady was doing a vintage wedding and bought a few table scarfs, etc. A few bought the napkins and table cloth sets. The rest went to Habitat. Very sad. We also faced a dilemma with what to do with my mothers gorgeous pearl colored silk wedding dress. There is a stain down the front, so any thoughts of grandchildren wearing the dress went out the window. We tried to have it cleaned to no avail. The dress is full, and the train very long, plus there are 12-15 silk covered buttons on each sleeve. My idea was to make and monogram silk pillow cases for the 6 grandchildren, but my sister-in-law came up with a brilliant idea....have 3 Christening gowns made (one for each siblings family) and have future great-grands wear the gowns when they are Christened. Five of the six grandchildren are excited about the idea. The 6th is a boy...mine. lol We hope that my 2nd daughter will be having a baby within the year. :) Here are my parents, and the dress, on their wedding day....See MoreOK,, who's into vintage textiles and old, old, old baby clothes?
Comments (20)No need to apologize, my toes are just fine! *grin!* But I took a 1/2 day seminar with someone who did museum textile conservation and am very aware of "delayed deterioration" due to detergent residue and even due to the clorine that is in tap water. BUT the treatment I give heirlooms and things that are particularly fine, like bobbin lace, old Battenberg or Hardanger is very different that what I do for things like linen napkins and banquet cloths or even crocheted edged tea cloths and tatted doilies and I wouldn't dream of washing a sampler. Linda C...See MorePet Food Dye-stained carpets
Comments (15)Ever tried Lysol Deodorant spray? I got that tip from the Home Decorating forum, I believe and it works wonders on stains on my carpet from pets, etc.! Just spray it on heavily, wait a min or two then dab or scrub the stain! Hope it works for you!! Linda--you're so right and so funny! Animals aren't color cued to food but people sure can be. As a 'side', my mother was discussing the notion of 'Green Eggs & Ham' as per Dr. Seuss' story and my Dad just sniffed and said it didn't matter to him what color his food was--it was just plain "stupid" to think it would matter to anyone!! I'm sure you have an idea of what happened the following *breakfast*--yep--green eggs and blue biscuits! And, yes, he did eat it all but he had to admit, afterwards, it had a decided effect on his ability to 'scarf it down', as usual! My mother could hardly restrain herself from bursting out laughing as he ate it! Pretty sure, my cats and dogs could care less about the color of their food--but, apparently, the marketing folks believe it affects our decision (as though we'd be eating it) as to what our pets would like to eat! You know, they're probably right--we're so VISUAL you know! :o)...See Morelindac
13 years agolinnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
13 years agolindac
13 years agofranksmom_2010
13 years agolinnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
13 years agolindac
13 years agoblueheron
13 years agoRichard Dollard
13 years agofranksmom_2010
13 years agoblueheron
13 years agodotz_gw
13 years agoblueheron
13 years agofranksmom_2010
13 years agorobins143
13 years agoMoonOnSnow
11 years agoUser
11 years agodetroit_burb
11 years agokittymoonbeam
11 years ago
Related Stories
HOUZZ TOURSMy Houzz: From Belgium With Love
European antiques and crisp linens help these Belgian designers feel at home in their Craftsman house in L.A.
Full StoryTRADITIONAL STYLEDecorating With Antiques: Luxurious Linens
Bring quality, comfort and a sense of old-world romance to your rooms with vintage tablecloths, sheets, napkins and more
Full StoryHOUSEKEEPINGOut, Darn Spot! Tips for Removing Carpet Stains
Know the right solutions and when to use them to prevent stains from pets, soda, chocolate, blood and more
Full StoryBUDGET DECORATINGBudget Decorator: 8 Ways to Make Old Furniture Look Brand New
Learn stripping, staining, painting and reupholstering basics to make bargain-basement furniture worthy of center stage at home
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESPop Culture Watch: 12 Home Trends from the '80s Are Back
Hold on to your hat (over your humongous hair); interior design elements of the 1980s have shot forward to today, in updated fashion
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNPearls of Wisdom From a Real-Life Kitchen Remodel
What your best friend would tell you if you were embarking on a renovation and she'd been there, done that
Full StoryFUN HOUZZEverything I Need to Know About Decorating I Learned from Downton Abbey
Mind your manors with these 10 decorating tips from the PBS series, returning on January 5
Full StoryWHITE KITCHENS4 Dreamy White-and-Wood Kitchens to Learn From
White too bright in your kitchen? Introduce wood beams, countertops, furniture and more
Full StoryMOST POPULARHow to Reface Your Old Kitchen Cabinets
Find out what’s involved in updating your cabinets by refinishing or replacing doors and drawers
Full StoryTHE HARDWORKING HOMEClever Ways to Rethink the Linen Closet
The Hardworking Home: Get rid of those toppling piles with these ideas for organizing bedding, towels and more
Full Story
sheilajoyce_gw