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Cleaning Up:  Antique French Linens  |
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RaspberryBee
True Blue Farmgirl
291 Posts
Karen
Montrose
Michigan
USA
291 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 21 2009 : 10:22:16 AM
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Last fall I was gifted with a few sets of french linens that were brought to my town just after WWII. Oddly enough the french bride lived in the house I am in now! They have sat in a trunk for 10-20 years depending on who you talk to and they are quite dingy to say the least. They have the most beautiful cutwork and embroidery so I do not want to damage them in anyway. I have tried soaking in cool and hot water, oxiclean and Biz and hanging them on the clothes line so the sun could work on them a little...all to no avail. I believe they are cream colored not white and the body odor is rather strong in some of them. I am open to trying just about anything "safe" to be able to use them.
Karen
I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.
-Henry David Thoreau- |
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Sitnalta
True Blue Farmgirl
4208 Posts
Jessica
NJ
USA
4208 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2009 : 10:50:44 AM
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Karen- Have you tried soaking them in cool water an vinegar? I don't know if it would change the color to white or not, but I know its almost sure fire for the body odor thing.
I hope it helps!
hugs
Jessie
People are like stained-glass windows.
They sparkle and shine when the sun is out,
but when the darkness sets in,
their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.
www.messiejessie2.blogspot.com |
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katie-ell
True Blue Farmgirl
1818 Posts
Katie
Illinois
1818 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2009 : 11:19:16 AM
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I would think the odor is from being stored in the trunk, rather than body odor . . . . Nonetheless, I have had success in getting the musty smell out of old books by placing them in a lidded plastic container along with some charcoal, which absorbs odor, leaving them in for several weeks. Might be worth a try with linens.
And my method for getting stains out of old linens is to soak them in Oxiclean and then hang them up (or spread them on an old sheet) in the sun without rinsing. After that, I put them through a regular wash. Gets out many stains.
www.youaretoocreative.blogspot.com |
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Calicogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
5216 Posts
Sharon
Bruce Crossing
Michigan
USA
5216 Posts |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2009 : 11:59:24 AM
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You should email Miss Wilma through the forum...she is an antique textile expert and can probably help you with this. She would also know about smells, etc...
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
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Cabinprincess
True Blue Farmgirl
682 Posts
Melody June
Athens
TX
USA
682 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2009 : 12:12:49 PM
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Hi Karen, I restore antique quilts and have just the thing for you to use. See I told you you'd be hearing from me again soon. I will mail it out Monday.
Smiles, Melody June
God's gift to you are your talents, your gift to Him is how you use them. |
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RaspberryBee
True Blue Farmgirl
291 Posts
Karen
Montrose
Michigan
USA
291 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2009 : 1:11:02 PM
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Hi Ladies - you gals are like a rapid response team. I just got back from picking 8 1/2 pounds of blueberries in the rain! Little chilled but okay and the berries are tasty. Making a batch of jam will warm me right up after walking the dog here shortly. The odor is definitely body odor as are most of the stains. I have not tried the vinegar though I read about it. Maybe give it a try this weekend. I did not think about hanging them up to dry outside with the oxiclean still on them??? I have 5 top sheets and two fitted and that is alot of linen to deal with...one sheet at a time. Thanks for the tip about Miss Wilma Jonni and Melody June you make me smile :-). I look forward to hearing your tips...restoring quilts...as my nephews would say "WAY COOL!".
Thanks ladies
I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.
-Henry David Thoreau- |
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katie-ell
True Blue Farmgirl
1818 Posts
Katie
Illinois
1818 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2009 : 3:52:17 PM
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Yes, Karen, I leave the oxiclean on linens and put them in the sun. Then I do wash them, of course. And then hang them in the sun again!
Hope you find some answers -- do let us know if/when you find something that works for you.
And Melody June -- do share info -- what do you use?
www.youaretoocreative.blogspot.com |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2009 : 6:04:33 PM
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I found this on the internet:
The key to getting out stains and odors in vintage linens is numerous soakings. For many hours. And no dryers. Line dry or lay on a clean towel to dry. Here is a recipe for soak:
1 scoop Biz
1 scoop Oxyclean
3/4 cup Ammonia
1 gallon hot water
Farmgirl Sister # 31
www.blueskyjeannie.blogspot.com
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Aug 22 2009 : 10:42:22 AM
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I've always used Biz and Oxyclean on vintage linens. Check for dry rot first though. I learned that the hard way and had fabric disintegrate the minute it hit the water. I put everything in the washer, let it agitate very slowly, and then turn off. They soak for 24 hours. Then I drain the water and check the linens. If they need another soak then back in they go. You could also do this in a sink or a large bucket. Sometimes you can't get all the stains out and that's ok too. It gives the linens character!
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Aug 22 2009 : 5:00:57 PM
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When I dried my old linens, some were doll dresses/clothes from the 40's. I stuffed them with paper towels and stood them up so they would dry without wrinkles and with some body to the shape.
Also, if you do put a cool iron to them, place them between layers of a towel, and iron on the towel surface, not directly on the linens.
Farmgirl Sister # 31
www.blueskyjeannie.blogspot.com
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
Edited by - jpbluesky on Aug 22 2009 5:03:35 PM |
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RaspberryBee
True Blue Farmgirl
291 Posts
Karen
Montrose
Michigan
USA
291 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2009 : 09:02:22 AM
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Yesterday was a sunny day so I decided to take one sheet and run it through the rinse cycle and lay it on the grass. At the end of the day I put it back in the washer with half gallon of vinegar and 1/4 cup of washing soda. Oh my goodness!!! As soon as the soda hit the vinegar the bit of sheet sticking above the water line went a creamy white! I quickly smushed all the sheet under the water and let the machince and additives do their thing. The sheet is a beautiful bright creamy white and the embroidery shines. I am not sure it will work on all the sheets but it is a start. On the next sunny day I will try the next sheet and see how that goes.
Karen
I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.
-Henry David Thoreau- |
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aurelie
Farmgirl at Heart
7 Posts
aurelie
vermilion
ohio
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - Aug 31 2009 : 2:07:54 PM
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| Try using Biz laundry booster. Martha Pullen specializes in antigue linens and swears by her "biz bucket" I tried it and it worked. soak linens overnight in a bucket with a scoop of biz dissolved in it. Dump it out in the morning and refill it. After several fillings rinse the linens in cool water and hang away from the sun. I put mine on a rack in the laundry room, sunlight fades any embroidery. After severl soaking my 100 year old christening gown came our white and without the yellow age stains. Lee |
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Cleaning Up: Antique French Linens |
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Antique French Linens
