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Scroll to the bottom of this section for some
ideas on caring for and restoring fine fabrics.
Caring for Fine Fabrics
Caring for Fine Fabrics
Caring for Fine Fabrics Fine and vintage linens, especially those made of 100% cotton or linen, or a cotton/linen blend, should be hand washed in cool water or in the washer using the very delicate or hand wash cycle. Very old or delicate linens should always be hand washed. Le Blanc Linen Wash or a mild laundry soap such as Ivory Snow is best. After washing, damp dry, then iron, using a light spray of starch. A nice added touch for linens you use on a regular basis is to spray lightly with a scented Linen Water as you iron.
Do not use the scented water if you are preparing to store the linens. (In fact, it is best to not iron linens you are preparing to store for long period of time.) If you are planning to store linens for a long time, use a second rinse and do not use starch. Roll in acid-free paper or around a length of 100% cotton white muslin fabric that has been washed several times and rinsed thoroughly.
I soak linens in a large plastic "under the bed" container. Always use a clean plastic container. Plastic containers work well as they are generally very smooth on the inside. The "under the bed" size will allow most linens to lie flat enough to soak safely. I have been successful in restoring a number of very old, much neglected linens, some so brown you could not be really sure what they were. If you have some very old and neglected linens, first soak them for two or three days in tepid water, pouring off the water every hour or so during the day until the water is clear. Soaking not only loosens soil and stain, but allows the fibers to absorb needed moisture. If the linens look reasonably clean at this point, wash them carefully in LeBlanc Linen Wash or Ivory Snow in cool water. If discoloration and stains remain, then use a sodium perborate-based vintage soak product. The secret is slow and careful soaking over several days. Change the water and add more of your chosen vintage soak at least once each day or so. You can soak several fairly small items together.
Large pieces of linen may require a washing machine, although only if you have a very gentle or hand wash cycle. Rinse thoroughly. Line dry or lay flat. If you choose to put very sturdy linens in the dryer, avoid the use of fabric softeners, as these add a chemical to the fibers. When the weather allows, lay linens out in the sun for a few hours. The sun does seem to brighten white linens somewhat, but perhaps best of all, the combination of sun and fresh air seems to banish the musty smell often present in linens that have been stored for a long time.
Linens with fragile trim need to be handled carefully. Always fully support the fragile areas when lifting items out of water.
Shirley
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