Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Gently submerge the antique fabric in a tub of clean, lukewarm water to rinse it if it is especially dusty or dirty. Use distilled water if your tap water is especially hard or mineral laden. Press the antique fabric gently into the water to remove surface dirt and debris. Lift the fabric out of the water after rinsing, placing it onto a clean bath towel. Discard the dirty water.
Add a small amount of quilt wash or pure soap flakes to a tub full of lukewarm water. Submerge the linens in the water and allow to soak. Allow the antique fabric to soak for at least 30 minutes; however, you may soak for several days if necessary. Rinse by submerging into a tub or sink of clean water or by pouring fresh water over the fabric, then roll in a towel to remove excess moisture.
Examine the antique fabric for remaining stains. Prepare a soak of oxygen-based bleach and very hot water for durable cotton and linen fabrics with all-over yellowing or staining. Treat smaller stains with a paste of oxygen-based bleach and hot water. Rinse very well after using harsher cleansers to restore antique fabric. Try a non-chlorine bleach as an alternative for fabrics that you may not want to expose to very hot water.
Dry antique fabrics flat. Consider drying in full sunlight to achieve a whiter-white; however, allow especially delicate antique fabrics to dry away from direct sunlight. Press once the restored antique fabrics are completely dry; however, avoiding starching the antique fabric if it will be stored.
Use a hand sewing needle and matching linen or cotton thread to darn small holes in the fabric. Try patching larger holes with matching fabric.