Can you preserve a yarn knitted tablecloth?

Question

My husband's 80 year old aunt knitted a WHITE yarn table cloth.
Needless to say,I am not going to put this on my table,it's way to special...how can I preserve this from ruining or getting fuzzy?
I made the mistake of washing a knitted blanket once and it lost all shape...

Answer 1

You can use it on your table by placing a clear plastic tablecloth over it. Make sure the clear plastic covers the entire tablecloth.

To preserve it, it should be wrapped in a sheet, so it doesn't touch any plastic or paper you store it in. I use a duvet cover, which is like a giant pillowcase, to put mine in. Then it can be stored with your linen in the closet, or placed in a plastic bag, or cardboard box, such as a shirt box.

Answer 2

What kind of yarn is it knitted from? Acryllic or cotton? Your best bet to keep it is to find an acid free cardboard tube (art supply store--not a craft store, btw) and some acid free tissue paper. Roll the cloth around the tube so there are no wrinkles or folds and then cover it with the acid free tissue and put it in a muslin bag or a COTTON sheet, not polyester or a blend. Keep it out of sunlight in a cool, dry place. If you cannot find a tube, get some acid-free boxes, fold it carefully and lay it in the acid free tisue, but you should periodically open it up, air it, and refold it so the folds are in different areas.

If it is a cotton knit there is no reason you cannot use it, but wash it in a gentle cycle on your machine, in a lingerie bag and hang it outdoors to dry rather than put it in the dryer. It isn't something I'd use daily, or leave on the table under clear plastic, but it is the type of heirloom you should use periodically because you have it. Just be gentle with it and don't let a little girl use it to play dress-up bride .

Answer 3

Use those space saver type bags. you hook them up to a vacume and suck all the air out then seal it. It protects the article from the environment totally.