How to Whiten an Antique Dress
The white dress worn during a ceremonial occasion by a woman or child often becomes a part of the history of her family. Cherished wedding dresses, christening or confirmation gowns may be handed down through generations and can gather stains or turn yellow over time. Brightening delicate vintage fabric with harsh chemicals can reduce it to shreds by further weakening aging fibers. Gentle handing and a mild bleaching treatment are key to whitening an antique dress. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Mild detergent designed for delicate fabrics
- 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution
- Large white towel
Instructions
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Test a small area of fabric from the dress seam to determine if washing with the hydrogen peroxide will affect the finish, especially if the care label is missing from the garment. Generally, vintage cotton, linen and wool and nylon hybrids are washable, and 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution is a mild alternative to chlorine bleach.
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Fill a basin with warm water. Add 1 part hydrogen peroxide to nine parts water. Immerse dress and add mild detergent. Stir and squeeze fabric gently; do not scrub or wring. Allow garment to soak for five to 15 minutes. Drain soapy water out of the basin. Use a kitchen sink hand spray to rinse dress with clean water.
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Wrap wet garment in a clean, white towel to absorb excess water. Air-dry on a flat surface.
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Tips & Warnings
There are commercial cleansers that can be bought online designed to remove age stains from washable antique fabrics.
The 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution is commonly found at local drug stores.
Do not attempt to machine wash or tumble dry the dress; fragile antique fabrics cannot withstand the agitation of modern machines.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
