How to Bleach a Vintage Veil

White wedding veils add an element of elegance to a bride's attire.

Choosing just the right pieces for your wedding ensemble involves a gown, shoes, jewelery and head pieces. Some brides opt to wear veils as a symbol of purity and to give the illusion of not being visible by the groom until reaching the alter. For brides hoping to wear an antique or vintage veil, cleaning the veil is a key step to ensure the veil is ready for the big day. Bleaching an old or yellowed veil back to white involves an attention to detail and a light touch.

Things You'll Need

• Two white towels
• Color safe bleach
• Water
• Basin or bucket

Instructions

1. Inspect the veil to check for rips, tears or holes. Older veils may have suffered damage through the years. If the veil is too damaged, bleaching may cause additional harm and weaken even more fibers, making the veil unusable.

2. Fill a basin or laundry tub with warm water, making sure enough water exists to completely cover the entire veil. Add color-safe bleach to the warm water, per the manufacturer’s stated instruction, and mix to dissolve it.

3. Place the veil between two white towels, making sure all edges and areas of the veil are completely covered by the towels.

4. Lay the towel-covered veil in the basin of bleach-containing water. Wear gloves to protect your hands and gently push the towels down so the entire veil and towels are covered with the bleach solution.

5. Lift the end of one towel after 30 minutes to check on the bleaching progress. Keep soaking for up to two or three hours, checking on the progress after every 30 minutes.

6. Remove the wrapped veil from the bleach water. While it is still wrapped in the towels, rinse the veil thoroughly under cold water to remove all bleach residue. Remove the veil from the towels and place flat to dry on top of one to two new, clean and dry white towels. Allow the veil to air dry without disturbing or handling too much.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider having a professional dry cleaner or seamstress repair the veil if the veil is a treasured family heirloom.

• Work with bleach only in a well-ventilated area.

References

• Clorox: Wedding Veil Laundering
• Martha Stewart Weddings: How Do I Clean a Vintage Veil?