Restoration of Antique Linens
So you've found a beautiful piece of lace or linen at a thrift shop or
estate sale, but it is dingy. Or maybe your wedding day is coming up, and
you want to wear your grandmother's veil. What can you do to make it look
its best?
You should fold and stitch a large piece of lace before you wash it. Fold
it into a manageable rectangle and then use a loose running stitch around
the perimeter to secure the folds.
Whether you are dealing with lace, linen, or even a special cotton, there
are 2 methods for relatively gentle bleaching. You should try them in order
of their strength.
First, use soap flakes or liquid soap, not detergent, in cool water to wash
the lace or linen. Rinse very well.
Bleaching Methods
The first bleaching method is this: before the cloth gets a chance to dry,
place it in the sun on a bright white cloth (so the sun's rays will be
reflected to the maximum). This will work best if you live in a very sunny
home and can keep the cloth inside while exposing it to the sun - outside,
you have pets and insects to contend with.
The second bleaching method is to use your largest stockpot or canning
kettle to bleach the fabric. Use 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup salt to
every gallon of water. Be certain that there is lots more liquid in the pot
than there is fabric. Bring the "stew" to a boil, cover, and simmer gently
for one hour. Rinse thoroughly and dry flat.
Storing Your Linens
Once the fabric has been whitened, you'll want to store it carefully when it
is not in use. Wrap it in tissue paper. Then place it in a securely-taped
box with desiccant or silica gel outside the tissue paper.
You can find desiccant in the packaging for electronic equipment often and
in many bottles of medication (it's those capsules that say, "Do not eat")
and you should save the silica gel for just such a use as this.
About the Author:
Deborah Michelle Sanders publishes THE PENNY ORCHID -
"Thrift with Flair," a monthly print newsletter that shows you how to save
your money and keep the money you have.
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