I believe it is cotton. It was made by my mother 26 years ago and is not replaceable. I hate to ruin it. The reason that we never cleaned it before was because my wife kept it in a cedar chest inside a storage container. We have been using it lately just for decorations and now it looks soiled.
2006-12-02 12:42:54 · 9 answers · asked by captbob552 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
Gently hand wash it in a mild detergent and warm water. From its size, you may have to do this in the bathtub. Drain the soapy water and rinse first in warm water and then in cool water. Cool water actually removes soap better than warm, but the first warm rinse will help remove any remaining soil in the material. Don't wring but squeeze as much of the water out as possible. If you want to use the table where you display the table cloth for it to dry, put down plastic if it is wood to protect from any moisture that might come through. Then put down towels on the plastic and then the table cloth. You may have to fold the table cloth so it doesn't hang down from the table and possibly stretch. After it is dry, it will be fine.
My mother used to crochet and she would hand wash those items she had made.
2006-12-02 13:14:32 · answer #1 · answered by Oenophile... (Lynn) 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it may be a good idea to soak it first in a baking soda and water solution- this will help loosen the dirt (and it will smell better) and if it still looks dirty after soaking in soda for about an hour then add some wool-lite detergent or wash in baby wash or shampoo- either way- be very gentle- do not pull, or twist. do not hang dry if you can help it (lay flat as possible or lay back across the table with something under it to protect the table from water damage.
as long as it is cotton - this method should be fine. but if you are extremely worried then you could pay for dry cleaning. Just wanted to let you know my method for washing all my grandmother's tablecloths and baby clothes she has made for me. hope it helps
2006-12-02 13:07:20 · answer #2 · answered by Ohwhyme? 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, soak it for 4 hours in a 5% solution of Dreft detergent. Then grip it and slosh it up and down around 50 times(use a 5 gallon plastic bucket). Carefully lay it in your sink and wash it with copious amounts of water till the soap is out.
2006-12-02 12:53:52 · answer #3 · answered by jwhfaye 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I washed an antique quilt (fairly delicate) in my washing machine inside a pillow case, in cold water, regular cycle, with some other light weight stuff. It came out looking and smelling cleaner, and no damage to the fabric. I agree with flat drying so it won't stretch or distort.
2006-12-02 13:28:56 · answer #4 · answered by wollam43 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you may want to try a cap(small) of baking soda with a mild detergent, such as ivory snow. wash on delicate in cold water. and when the single rinse is completed, immediately take it out and hang it over a white towel on your shower curtain rod to let it drip dry. i would not recommend the dryer for something so fragile.
2006-12-02 14:44:25 · answer #5 · answered by CRSTLDRGN 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DO NOT DRY CLEAN unless you have a fabulous dry cleaner! The chemicals are horrible for the cotton.
2006-12-02 15:24:53 · answer #6 · answered by Just2BMe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let the dry-cleaners, clean for you, it may be fragile, and you don't want to ruin, or you can hand wash in Woolite, I think the cleaners will be the best.
2006-12-02 12:46:53 · answer #7 · answered by avery 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Best way is to get dry cleaned.
2006-12-02 12:44:40 · answer #8 · answered by Larry-Oklahoma 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can wash them in the machine on delicate/ hand wash. but for heavens sake...... DO NOT put them in the dryer!!!!!
2006-12-02 13:03:07 · answer #9 · answered by cheezy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋