How to Wash & Dry Vintage Linens

Take care of your vintage linens with careful washing.

Whether you found them at an antique store or had them passed on to you, vintage linens are beautiful and delicate. Unfortunately, many of these linens show their years of use and wear by the stains or tears that are present. Removing stains from vintage or heirloom linens can be tricky. Further complicating things, these linens have to be washed and handled with the utmost care.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Mild liquid soap
• Large bowl
• Towel
• Large pot
• Oxygen-based cleaning product
• Clothesline
• Lemon
• Salt
• Spoon
• Vinegar

Instructions

General Washing

1. Fill your large bowl with cold water and add a few drops of mild liquid soap. Mix the two together until small bubbles form on the surface. Soak the vintage linens in cold water over night.

2. Remove the vintage linens from the cold water. Rinse the item three to four times with cold water. Squeeze the linen gently to remove the water. Lay the linen flat onto a towel. Place the item out in the sun to dry for 24 hours. Elevate the item on a clothesline, so it does not get soiled by dirt or anything else.

3. Repeat this process two or three times for best results. If your vintage linens are still stained, try some of the stain-removal techniques.

Basic Stain Removal

1. In the large bowl, mix the oxygen-based cleaning product with water. Follow the directions on the cleaner for best results.

2. Soak the vintage linens in the oxygen and water solution for two to three hours. If your linens are very soiled, place the linens and oxygen solution in a large pot and simmer on low heat for two to three hours.

3. Remove the vintage linens from the water and place on a towel. Place the towel and the linens outside on a a clothesline to dry in the sun for 24 hours.

Tough Stains

1. Squeeze the juice from two large lemons into a dish. Lay your vintage linens flat out on a dry towel.

2. Spoon the lemon juice onto the stain. Cover the spot with one teaspoon of salt. Rub the salt and lemon juice mixture into the spot. Rub the spot gently to avoid damaging the fabric. Let the mixture sit for half an hour.

3. Rinse the vintage linen with vinegar. After you have thoroughly rinsed out the salt and lemon, wash the entire piece of fabric with lukewarm water. Lay the linen on top of a clean towel and hang out on the clothesline to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use regular bleach on antique linens, as it will cause discoloration.

• Avoid using a standard washer and dryer for your vintage linens, as they are too rough on delicate fabrics.

References

• "Good Housekeeping": How to Revive Vintage Linens
• "Old Fashioned Living": Cleaning Vintage Fabric