How to Clean Vintage Linen Napkins
Vintage linen napkins require special care if you wish to restore them to their former condition and color. Most often, napkins are suffering from age and storage stains, but once they are soaked in special cleaning products, treated with vinegar, lemon and even sunshine, they are white once again with monograms and embroidery clearly visible. These fabrics were intended for generations of use, but were meant to be hand-washed. In spite of the existence of the gentle cycle, hand-washing is still the gentlest and most effective way to clean linens. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Bottle of Restoration, by Engleside Products
- Bathtub or large washing tub
- Water
- White vinegar
- Drying rack
Instructions
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Examine linens for dry rot. Hold one side of the napkin in each hand and gently give it a tug. If the fabric comes apart easily, your napkins have dry rot and will need to be discarded.
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Decide on a cleansing method by determining the severity of your stains and the color of your napkins. Many are white or very light-colored, and can be washed together in the bathtub or another large tub or bucket. Colored napkins will probably run and should be washed separately.
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Remove storage stains as well as general yellowing from age by soaking the napkins in a product made specifically for stain removal from old linens. Good Housekeeping and those who restore and sell antique linens recommend Restoration, by Engleside Products. Do not use bleach.
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Choose a receptacle to soak your linens. If you have a lot of napkins to clean, use the bathtub. If you only have a few, use a bucket.
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Follow the directions on the bottle and add the proper amount of cleaning solution to hot or cold water, depending on which cleaning product you choose.
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Add the napkins and allow them to soak until the water is clear, usually overnight.
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Drain and refill the container with water and add white vinegar, up to a cup. Vinegar helps remove soap and other residue from the linen fibers. Move the napkins around in the vinegar solution with a large wooden spoon or other stirring implement.
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Allow to soak for up to 20 minutes. Then drain again and refill with water and soak for another 15 minutes.
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Drain the water. Remove the napkins and place them on the edge of the bathtub to drip dry. When they are no longer dripping, but still damp, you will remove them and iron them completely dry.
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Treat lingering stains on damp napkins by laying them on the grass to bleach in the sun. Remember that both soaking and sun weaken the fibers, so take special care with the napkins at this point. Don't leave them in the sun for very long. Make sure they haven't dried out completely, because you'll need them damp in order to press them.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not mix chemicals.
Do not use bleach.
