You readers are nothing if not consistent! For the past EIGHT years, the same blog post has received the most views. It’s your all-time, top-ranking, most read post here at My Place.
STORAGE STAIN REMOVAL: How to Care for Vintage Linens & Lace
I’m not sure I could say this is your favorite post, but it’s probably not much of a stretch to say it’s been the most helpful. Perhaps its because you love beautiful old linens but feel overwhelmed about cleaning them—and need a little encouragement and hand holding. I’m always happy to do that!
So in appreciation for your consistency and questions about how to remove storage stains from old beauties, I think now’s a good time to share another reader letter with you. This one’s a doozy!
First let me say . . . Some cleaning questions are pretty straightforward, and I know exactly what I would do if the dirty piece were mine. Not this time. So, with Janet’s permission, I’m sharing her original email and our subsequent conversations.
Seeing our step-by-step conversation and learning my thought process will hopefully give you a peek into all that goes into making a wise decision about when, how, or IF to clean your vintage (or antique) linens.
Imagine you’re Janet. What would you do?
Summer 2019
Hi! I was searching for a way to clean a piece of linen and stumbled across your site. The linen, from approximately 1700, was woven by a relative (great,great,great,great,….). My aunt took the best pieces and made a crewel-designed wall hanging for each of her siblings. The linen is quite brown, which might be ok if someone hadn’t tried to clean a spot in it. Any suggestions on how to clean it or who to go to to get it professionally cleaned? Thanks for your help!
There’s so much to like about this snippet of a story!
- A piece of family linen from the 1700s still being cared for. The 1700s! Let that sink in . . .
- When the original (larger) piece of linen became problematic in places, it was cut down and shared—with handwork added by another family member!
Janet, I’m honored that you contacted me with your question, and am always happy to help point readers in the right direction.
It’s wonderful that your aunt had the foresight to save what she could of this heirloom piece! You are also to be commended for continuing her vision to keep it in circulation in some form. Before I am comfortable answering your question, I have a few of my own . . .
1) Although your “quite brown” description doesn’t concern me, I do wonder about the previous cleaning. Do you have any of these answers?
- When did the cleaning take place?
- What product was used to clean it?
- How was it cleaned (soaking, scrubbing, etc.)?
2) Is the linen 100% unbleached/natural or is there any color added (thread, dye, etc.)?
3) How would you describe the fabric’s condition?
- Stable (firm when very slightly stretched) or easily torn (sections of dry rot)
- Some holes/tears
- Other?
If it’s possible to send me a couple of photographs (flash off/close up works best), that would be helpful. I’d like to see any damage, including the previously-cleaned areas.
There are certainly safe ways to clean antique textiles (and one of my favorites is DIY), but until I know more, I would never recommend that.
I look forward to hearing more about your family treasure!
I’m not sure when the attempt to clean it happened or what was used. The linen seems stable except for the one spot which almost looks like it was caught on something. It doesn’t look like any dye was added.
It’s always nice when you’re able to establish the provenance of a piece!
Before I was willing to answer Janet’s questions, I had a few more of my own . . .
What a sweet family heirloom with a great story! I love the colors.
Dyes in crewelwork are always risky when cleaning old linens. I have an idea for minimizing the risk, but I need a little more info.
Will you please send me pics of the BACK SIDE of the crewelwork? Both an overview (as close as possible to get the entire design in the image) and a close-up of the stitching in a couple of places?
Reminder: colors appear differently at different times of day or under different weather conditions. This is the BACK SIDE of the same piece of unlaundered linen.
Today’s post was all about info gathering, and we’re at a good stopping place. Next time I’ll share the “final answer” I sent to Janet. If you’re not already signed up to get notifications when I post, be sure to subscribe now so you don’t miss the rest of this story!
In the meantime, I’d really love to know . . .
- What do you think of Janet’s predicament?
- What would YOU do?
- What do you think I’m going to tell her?
I’ll see you soon!
Click to see more readers’ letters
What about using Mama’s Miracle Soak? I would suggest trying it with cold water, as heat may cause the colours of the crewel work embroidery thread to run/ bleed. Maybe Sarah could comment.
Soaking in borax?