While cleaning out my Mom and Dad's house I found many beautiful Irish (and I believe some French Canadian) made linens that have never been used but were stored incorrectly. They have some brownish spots here and there that I believe came from the brown paper bags they were stored in. I know cleaning them involves much soaking, but I don't know in what solutions.
2006-10-01 04:47:22 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
Oh lovely! I too am rather jealous, but I'm happy you want to keep them. No, good linen can be laundered. I'd use the gentle cycle and a gentle soap like Dreft or another diaper soap to do it, but you can use your washing machine. Don't use bleach. It's alright but it damages natural fibres. Wash in warm water and then hang to dry. If you can hang them in some strong sunshine, it'll also help bleach your linens naturally. Then go a head and iron them and re-store them properly. Enjoy them. You have a treasure trove.
2006-10-01 05:14:25 · answer #1 · answered by Mama Otter 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When my Grandmother passed away my Mom was in her 70,s.In the attic were Easter dresses my Mom had worn and also a Linen dress that was made when Mom was 3or 4.They all had those yellow stains and were awful looking.An Antique dealer told me what they do to resore old linens.
In a 5 gal.bucket mix Dawn dish liquid and 1 cup of Clorox 2 . It will made like a gooy mess .Mix with cold water until it is throughy mix.Fill bucket 3/4 full of water, put linens into soak for 3 days. It may take longer than 3 days so be patient.I promise it works beautifully.Let me know.
2006-10-01 05:56:34 · answer #2 · answered by animal lover 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If they are white Clorox now makes a very gentle bleach you can use ,or oxyclean will probably do the trick.If you have or know someone who has a Whirlpool Duet that has a very gentle delicate cycle with a soaking interval that will work wonders for ur linens.The dryers also offer an airdry cycle that protects them from heat damage.I even wash silk sheets and casmier in them. Hope this helps.Good Luck!!!!!!!
2006-10-01 05:41:14 · answer #3 · answered by Alicia S 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
use liquid dish soap. Apply it directly on spots. Soak it thoroughly on both sides with dish soap..DO NOT USE ANY WATER at this time. The glycerin in the soap releases the stains gently. Water sets the stains in. Let them soak ( in dish soap only) a couple days to a week. They can be bundled in large or small plastic garbage bags (no painted labels on bags) for storage untiil cleaning day. Then put linen in the washer, fill washer full with luke warm water, then add a little bit of bleach about 1/8 - !/4 cup, and wash on gentle cycle, with 2 rinses. I use this method for serious yellow collar and armpit stains on good linnen shirts. It isn't harsh on the fabrics. Comes out like new.
2006-10-01 05:12:56 · answer #4 · answered by ruby 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I would try soaking them in Oxy Clean powder, just follow the directions on the container. I used it to get the yellowing out of old lace.
2006-10-01 04:53:07 · answer #5 · answered by Prickly P 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go to CelticLinens.com. It is a great site on laundering Irish or any other linens, as well as, the best ways to store them. (I'm jealous, enjoy.)
2006-10-01 04:52:38 · answer #6 · answered by Desi 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mine somewhat get the element when I positioned em in the clothing washer, yet they actually hear extra appropriate when I positioned em in the drier. path i exploit comfortable cycles and chilly water, besides the undeniable fact that it is so cool to visual reveal unit em in the tumble time in the direction of the top.
2016-12-15 17:46:30 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try soaking in a strong vinegar solution it is meant to brink up whites as good as bleaching
2006-10-01 05:02:44 · answer #8 · answered by dumplingmuffin 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋