posted on October 8, 2005 04:44:36 PM new
Had a wonderful find today - found a large Damask tablecloth and 12 napkins. They practically gave them to me. The only problem is that they were on the old metal hanger with the brown cardboard over the metal. This left some stains on the linens. Can this type of linen be hand washed or should it be dry cleaned. I was thinking of trying the bleach pen on a spot and see if that would get the stain out? Anyone know.
Thanks
posted on October 9, 2005 06:25:00 AM new
Here's what you might want to try BEFORE you try the Oxyclean. You can always try that if this doesn't work. In a 1-2 gallon CLEAN bucket, squirt some liquid dishWASHER soap such as liquid cascade, (or disolve the granuals in little hot water), add about 1/2 to 1 CAP, (NOT CUP) of bleach. Fill the bucket with hot tap water-not boiling, you might be putting your hands in it. Mix that up and add the linens. Stick the bucket in the bathtub and leave it sit. At least over night. You can use a new paint stirrer to mix the linens and keep them underwater. The next day, wash using the gentle cycle. If items very fragile, place into a mesh laundry bag or pinned together pillow case BEFORE the soaking. Do all the laundering while IN the bag, only taking out to line dry. I would not put in dryer. I have had to do some items more then once to get truely clean, but you will be amazed at what will come out. Yellow, gray and age. Doesn't do a lot for rust but you can use a rust remover for that. Will not hurt colored embroidery threads, or fragile christening gowns. ONLY use Oxyclean products on totally white items. IT will remove color. Ruthie
posted on October 9, 2005 07:30:29 AM new
I didn't know that Oxiclean would take the color out??
These are not fragile but buttery soft and a pale pale blue. I've had Damask before but never this nice.
Thanks - think I'll try this on one napkin before I tackle the whole set.
posted on October 9, 2005 02:49:52 PM new
I could be wrong. I did ruin something is trying oxyclean, but maybe it was something I should not have washed. Anyway, did a huge bucket of stamped linens today with my recipe and they all came out fine. I use it all the time, like almost daily. Ruthie
posted on October 9, 2005 02:55:45 PM new
If you have rust stains, get some salcylic acid, make a 10% solution & very CAREFULLY use a Q-Tip & spot the rust. I use to use this on my Navy whites when they got rust stains off a metal hanger. This was before plastic hangers. LOL
posted on October 9, 2005 03:06:11 PM new
Thanks guy but it's not a rust stain only a stain from the cardboard that goes over the hanger(which was brown with age). I think these were stored for about 50 years.
I'm going to try some of this tomorrow and I'll let you all know.
posted on October 9, 2005 07:34:56 PM new
My 90 year old mother lives with me and I put Oxyclean in every load of wash that I do for her. It takes out every stain and has never affected color in any way.
posted on October 9, 2005 08:57:18 PM new
I have had amazing success with boiling whites, and even vintage printed tablecloths with old stains, yellowing and spots. Yes, boiling. That's how our ancestors got them clean, and it works.
If you have a large stock pot, or pasta pot, put a good shake of granular Cascade (which still contains phosphates) into it, add water and your linen and boil for about half an hour on your stove. Watch so the water doesn't boil over. If you have a grill with burner, and want to do it outside, that works well too. It won't hurt anything and you will be truly amazed at what the water will look like!
I've tried the soaking with Biz, which worked fine until they started adding bleach which ruins colors as noted.
posted on October 10, 2005 06:34:20 AM new
I do remember my grandmother boiling the clothes (copper washboiler) and it seemed to work very well. I want to try the bucket recipe, what type of bucket? Can it be plastic? That is all I have or would a huge glass bowl work or a stock pot? Thanks in advance.
posted on October 10, 2005 07:54:06 AM new
A large plastic tub works fine.
I often use the tub in the washer for soaking and leave it overnight. As long as you DO NOT agitate, that's as good as any. Depending on how fragile the fabric seems, you can safely run spin cycle on gentle, fill the washer again and swish manually to rinse, and go directly to spin cycle as many times as it takes. Much easier than dealing with a heavy tub and wringing out.
For soaking, I use 1/2 cup Oxyclean, 1/2 cup Biz, and 2 tablespoons granular Cascade dissolved in hot water. Add cold water and soak. If there are spots, Shout or similar works if sprayed on the spot and left for 15 minutes before soaking.
If the fabric seems fragile at all, leave it alone. You will have a soggy ball of threads. And quilts are a different matter altogether, and best left to experts.
