Learn when and how to hand-wash antique linens and clothing.
With the right care, vintage fabrics retain their beauty and usefulness.
Caring for vintage linens and fabrics can be a delicate task.
Linens found at antiques fairs generally are already cleaned and pressed.
Use these tips to safely launder these beautiful antique and vintage fabrics.
Tips & Tricks
1.
Very old lace or fabric may tear when washed.
Even washing gently by hand may cause fabrics to deteriorate.
It may be better to leave these items as they are, or have them professionally dry-cleaned.
Remove Old Stains
Old stains may be impossible to remove.
After decades, stains may have been set through repeated washing and drying.
Hang the fabric on a clothesline or spread it out to dry in the sun.
Rinse and let dry again.
If no color comes off on the cloth, you might wash the piece safely.
If color does come off, have the piece dry-cleaned.
Press pieces while they’re still a bit damp for the smoothest look.
For severely discolored fabrics, you may need to soak them for days to remove decades of dirt.
Thengently swish the linens in warm waterwith mild, nonabrasive, phosphate-free soap.
Avoid using bleach, because it can damage the fibers.
Rinse the textiles at least twice in clear water to remove all soap residue.
Place a rinsed item on a clean, dry white towel and press to remove some of the water.
