How to wash vintage clothes and linens
Washing your vintage clothes and linens, is not difficult, but it is important to do it right. The following are some guidelines for vintage clothes:
1. You need to determine whether or not the vintage fabric is even strong enough for you to wash. If it is not, you will need to send it to a professional cleaner. The best way to know if it will withstand washing is to feel it, is it dry or brittle? Also, you can smell it, does it smell of must or mildew? If not, go ahead and wash it yourself.
2. Once you determine if it is strong enough to wash, you will want to place it on a piece of nylon net to support the delicate fibers. Then, soak it in cool water.
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3. Choose a mild detergent such s Orvus Paste. This is available at most sewing stores and even art supply stores. It has cleaning and whitening properties but is gentle on fabric.
4. Do not try to remove small stains. The fabric may not be sturdy enough. You will, however, want to try and lighten yellow age marks on fabric, and brighten whites that haven't been laundered in a long time. This will be done with a color safe bleach detergent. However, only do this if the fabric is sturdy enough.
5. Rinse the fabric well, get rid of all traces of the detergent.
6. Air dry, do not stick in a dryer.
If you are washing vintage linens, try the following:
1. Soak over night in cool water. This will help to remove dirt and old detergent, and will rehydrate the fabric so it is not as brittle, and can be more easily washed.
2. Keep like colors together.
3. If your linens are yellow, add a half a cup of oxygen bleach to 2 to 3 gallons of water. Gently agitate by hand, then let soak until cloth appear white. This could take a long time, even up to several hours.
4. Rinse with cold water.
5. Treat any stains based on what caused them.
6. After stains have been treated, put the linens into a tub warmer with mild detergent.
7. Agitate gently. Do not wring or rub hard. Drain off dirty water and rinse with fresh warm water.
8. Do not run water directly on the fabric.
9. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear.
10. Roll up the article in a white clean towel, and blot out any excess water.
11. Dry your linen by carefully laying over a line or rack.
12. If the linen is in need of ironing, be sure to do so while it is still damp, and use a dry iron.
Your vintage clothes and linens will never look better, or be cleaner than if you follow the above directions. If you are careful, you can ensure that your fabrics are stain free, clean, not yellowed, and fresh, without the huge cost of having them professionally cleaned.
When in doubt about the sturdiness of the fabric, you will probably want to have it cleaned professionally. You would not want to risk ruining something that is vintage.
Remember the cardinal rules:
1. Never run water directly on fabric
2. Soak to let the fabric be hydrated
3. Rinse well so that no detergent is left on the fabric.
4. Have too brittle or musty of fabrics professionally cleaned
