How to Clean an Antique White Crochet Bedspread
An antique white crocheted bedspread is an heirloom to treasure and requires special care when it needs cleaning. While a new crocheted bedspread can usually be washed on a gentle cycle in a washing machine, this is not the case with an antique spread, as the strength of the threads likely has deteriorated over time. An antique bedspread made from cotton thread also will become very heavy when wet, and even when being hand-washed, can rip under its own weight if it's not supported when lifted from the water.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Bathtub
- Two flat, white bedsheets
- Gentle detergent
- Four white towels
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1
Lay an unfolded, flat white bedsheet on the floor of your bathtub, centering the sheet and allowing the excess to hang over the edges.
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2
Fold your bedspread to the approximate length and width of your tub. Place the folded bedspread on the sheet.
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3
Add enough cool water to the tub to cover the folded bedspread by 2 inches. Add detergent to the water, following the recommended dosage for the brand you have purchased.
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4
Swish the water around the bedspread and allow it to soak for 30 minutes, then squeeze or "knead" the bedspread to work the detergent and water through the spread.
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5
Drain the water from the tub and push down on the bedspread to force out water and detergent. Refill the tub with cool water and repeat the draining and filling procedure until the water is clean and clear.
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6
Roll the sheet and bedspread to form a log shape. Push down firmly and squeeze repeatedly to remove as much water as possible.
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7
Lay two large white towels on the floor of the drained tub. Unroll the sheet and bedspread on top of the towels. Lay two more white towels on top of the bedspread. Press down on the towels to force remaining water into the towels. Remove the top towels. Grasp the sheet by the edges and lift the bedspread out of the tub.
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8
Spread a dry sheet on the floor or on the ground outside. Unfold the bedspread and place it on the sheet. Smooth the bedspread and straighten the edges so that it dries to its original shape.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Do not wring, twist your stretch your wet bedspread.
Do not use colored sheets or towels, as the colors might bleed onto the white bedspread.
