Washing and Care of Lace

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by ElsiesAttic ~ CEO on August 8, 2010 at 11:06pm

Here is a great article from this site... http://www.sewtiqueonline.com/vintage_lace.htm
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VINTAGE LACE

A vintage lace often is brittle, tired looking and sometimes very soiled. It is possible to wet clean old lace, with care in handling, and allow plenty of time. The process cannot be hurried. The lace may be years old, and the pollution will not be removed instantaneously. Patience is a prime ingredient.

Read and review the “tips” provided in the “LACES” article for wet cleaning. The soaking process will include addition of borax (l to 3 tbs.) to the soak water. It is suggested that a mild liquid soap be used for the cleaning method.

If necessary to use bleach, it can be done after all soil is removed. Bleach is available in liquid, flake, or powder form. Chlorine Bleach must never be used with vintage fiber or fabric. Sodium perborate is the only safe bleach and will not damage lace. Sodium peroxide can be used, safely, and is slower acting, and best used with silk fiber.

The rinsing of lace is delicate and again, lace should be squeezed by hand, to remove any suds. If a scum shows on the water, add 3 tbs. white vinegar to the rinse water to remove any detergent on soap from the washing. Always do a final rinse.

Lace used as an accessory of fashion or furniture can be starched for additional firmness. However, starch should never be applied to lace is to be preserved, as starch can attract insects.

TIPS

To repair lace, use tiny stitches with thread of same color and fiber as original. Repairs should be made after the lace is cleaned for a good match.

When lace is purchased, or a lace trimmed article, cotton is the preferred fiber as it is most durable for easy care and maintenance. Nylon, as a fiber, is a scavenger and will pick up dye when washed with colored articles. Therefore, nylon lace should be cleaned only with white or light articles, or washed separately by hand.

Lace bonded to another fabric, such as a blouse, may not wash well, as the adhesive when wet may separate and layers come apart. Always hand launder.

For assistance in lace repair, restoration, or preservation contact Evelyn S. Kennedy at 860 464 2001 or by e-mail Textileappraisal@aol.com

Sewtique, Inc.
391 Long Hill Road
Groton, CT 06340
1-800-332-9122

Permalink Reply by Marysmenagerie on August 9, 2010 at 12:04am

Love to upcycle clothes with vintage lace - it takes dye very nicely!

ElsiesAttic-Admin said:

Here is a great article from this site... http://www.sewtiqueonline.com/vintage_lace.htm
_________________________________________________________

VINTAGE LACE

A vintage lace often is brittle, tired looking and sometimes very soiled. It is possible to wet clean old lace, with care in handling, and allow plenty of time. The process cannot be hurried. The lace may be years old, and the pollution will not be removed instantaneously. Patience is a prime ingredient.

Read and review the “tips” provided in the “LACES” article for wet cleaning. The soaking process will include addition of borax (l to 3 tbs.) to the soak water. It is suggested that a mild liquid soap be used for the cleaning method.

If necessary to use bleach, it can be done after all soil is removed. Bleach is available in liquid, flake, or powder form. Chlorine Bleach must never be used with vintage fiber or fabric. Sodium perborate is the only safe bleach and will not damage lace. Sodium peroxide can be used, safely, and is slower acting, and best used with silk fiber.

The rinsing of lace is delicate and again, lace should be squeezed by hand, to remove any suds. If a scum shows on the water, add 3 tbs. white vinegar to the rinse water to remove any detergent on soap from the washing. Always do a final rinse.

Lace used as an accessory of fashion or furniture can be starched for additional firmness. However, starch should never be applied to lace is to be preserved, as starch can attract insects.

TIPS

To repair lace, use tiny stitches with thread of same color and fiber as original. Repairs should be made after the lace is cleaned for a good match.

When lace is purchased, or a lace trimmed article, cotton is the preferred fiber as it is most durable for easy care and maintenance. Nylon, as a fiber, is a scavenger and will pick up dye when washed with colored articles. Therefore, nylon lace should be cleaned only with white or light articles, or washed separately by hand.

Lace bonded to another fabric, such as a blouse, may not wash well, as the adhesive when wet may separate and layers come apart. Always hand launder.

For assistance in lace repair, restoration, or preservation contact Evelyn S. Kennedy at 860 464 2001 or by e-mail Textileappraisal@aol.com

Sewtique, Inc.
391 Long Hill Road
Groton, CT 06340
1-800-332-9122

Permalink Reply by Faded Grandeur on August 9, 2010 at 3:56am

I find a wonderfully easy and gentle way to clean antique handmade lace is to soak it in OXY (sometimes called Vanish-OXY). I use the powder form but liquid form is available too. Add hand-hot water from the tap (faucet), dissolve the OXY, then add the lace (works equally well with linens) and soak for about 2 days or longer if really soiled. Rinse really well. I then line dry outside in fresh French mountain air, and they come up like new! OXY is not harmful to the environment either, so my conscience as well as my lace and linens are clean!!

Permalink Reply by Faded Grandeur on August 16, 2010 at 5:55am

I've actually found it on the web, and it looks like it is spelt differently than in France!
See this site: http://www.oxiclean.com/
I use the pre-treatment one. It is available to purchase online and money off vouchers on the site, or there is a store locator.
I highly recommend it for stains in linen and lace and vintage fabrics. I find it is much kinder than bleach, though still use gloves!

Yesterdays Pleasures - Admin said:

Does anyone know if we have this product in the US?? I have some linens with stains that I would like to try it on.
Thanks!!

Faded Grandeur said:

I find a wonderfully easy and gentle way to clean antique handmade lace is to soak it in OXY (sometimes called Vanish-OXY). I use the powder form but liquid form is available too. Add hand-hot water from the tap (faucet), dissolve the OXY, then add the lace (works equally well with linens) and soak for about 2 days or longer if really soiled. Rinse really well. I then line dry outside in fresh French mountain air, and they come up like new! OXY is not harmful to the environment either, so my conscience as well as my lace and linens are clean!!

Permalink Reply by Linens and Things on August 17, 2010 at 8:58pm

Oxiclean, as found at all the local grocery stores, is my standard cleaning agent in combination with Tide without any additives. I use the two together on all linens and laces usually with boiling water. I do not use bleach or starch, and do not recommend them.

Permalink Reply by Linens and Things on August 20, 2010 at 11:32am

Yes, even if the linen has color in it. The pastel linen hand towels, all wash beautifully. The white linen or ecru linen with taupe or blue embroidery, all wash beautifully. The one color that sometimes will bleed pink is red. But I always watch it carefully.

Then all of the white linens, totally white embroidery, go outside on the grass in the sunshine. This time of year, my backyard is full of linens being dried and bleached by the sun!

Yesterdays Pleasures - Admin said:

Even if the linen has color in it??

LinensandThings said:

Oxiclean, as found at all the local grocery stores, is my standard cleaning agent in combination with Tide without any additives. I use the two together on all linens and laces usually with boiling water. I do not use bleach or starch, and do not recommend them.

Permalink Reply by Another Time Antiques on August 30, 2010 at 5:45pm

One very important thing I do is to soak your lace (and linens too) in cool plain water first before starting the actual cleaning process. You'll be amazed at what comes out in your soak tub or bucket. Change water regularly.

Then after cleaning .... rinse and rinse and rinse once more.

Love laying things out in the yard on a sunny day - :).

Permalink Reply by Luv2LuvAntiques on October 4, 2010 at 3:50am

I'm reading alot on using oxy in this discussion! Oxyclean products are extremely strong! The rule with antique / vintage linens is to use least harmful first... first thing is a gentle soak in plain water, which will remove alot of dirt and storage staining. Antique / vintage lace is delicate, so use a gentle baby detergent, such as Ivory Snow, first. Soak your lace in a clear plastic tub, or basin, that you can see through. When soaking tea stained, or colored lace, it is good to watch in case the color starts to bleed. If it bleeds, or runs, you can remove it and immediately put it in cold water.
I will post my notes on The Care And Storage Of Vintage Linens as a blog here.

Permalink Reply by Linens and Things on November 17, 2010 at 6:44pm

Diane:

Thank you very much for your comments here. Very important to remember how strong these products can be. Patience and good sense are important also. I love your rule. Can we embroider this in BIG letters: Least Harmful First!

Thank you! Pat


Diane McQueen said:

I'm reading alot on using oxy in this discussion! Oxyclean products are extremely strong! The rule with antique / vintage linens is to use least harmful first... first thing is a gentle soak in plain water, which will remove alot of dirt and storage staining. Antique / vintage lace is delicate, so use a gentle baby detergent, such as Ivory Snow, first. Soak your lace in a clear plastic tub, or basin, that you can see through. When soaking tea stained, or colored lace, it is good to watch in case the color starts to bleed. If it bleeds, or runs, you can remove it and immediately put it in cold water.
I will post my notes on The Care And Storage Of Vintage Linens as a blog here.