How to Clean Antique Linen Tablecloths

Antique linen tablecloths make any occassion feel special. Whether they're a treasured family heirloom or just something you picked up at the flea market, antique linen tablecloths are a pleasure to own. They do need to be handled with tender loving care if you want them to last, especially when it comes to keeping them clean.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bucket or other container
• 1 gallon water
• 1/4 cup Lemon Joy dish soap
• 1/4 cup non-chlorine bleach

1. Make sure your antique tablecloth is strong enough to withstand cleaning. If, when you rub the cloth between your fingers, pieces of fabric come off, it's probably too damaged to hold up in the wash.

2. Use this recipe from the University of Illinois Textiles Department, originally reported by Kate Henry. Mix 1/4 cup dish soap and 1/4 cup non-chlorine bleach in a bucket with one gallon of water. Carefully place the tablecloth in the solution. Do not twist it. Let it soak for several hours or longer.

3. Pour the solution out, and gently rinse the linen in cool water. If the tablecloth still appears dirty, repeat the process. Blot carefully on a towel to dry.

4. For stubborn stains, try sun bleaching. Wash as directed, blot with a towel, and place the linen in the sun for several hours.

Tips & Warnings

• Store in acid-free tissue paper if you are going to put the tablecloth in a wooden drawer. Always wash before storing. Try ready-made products for laundering your antique tablecloth, such as Linen Wash or, for sturdy fabrics only, Oxy Clean. If you want to risk it, launder your linens in the washing machine, using the delicate setting; better to give it a try than to never use your tablecloths at all.
• Remember to handle the material with care, and don't twist or wring it.

References

• Dolls and Lace

Resources

• Em's Heart