how to whiten aged white fabric
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,808
how to whiten aged white fabric
I have been fortunate to come by a totally cross-stitched queen size quilt top. It is beautiful but it is apparently quite old and has been stored in a cardboard box. The white fabric has become yellowed. I have now finished the hand quilting and ready to "hopefully" get the yellow out. I need suggestions, please.
#3
Take care when washing. Old embroidery floss colors can bleed and ruin your beautiful work. I would suggest testing a small place on the quilt before attempting to wash the quilt. Then wait for more suggestions here from other board members with their suggestions about how to brighten the white of the quilt. Hope you show us your end product. Love to see old quilts and particularly those who have been lovingly been completed or restored.
#4
#7
RetroClean is a wonderful product. I've used it for years on vintage quilts and other dingy things. Good stuff!
When I use it I let the item soak for several days, swishing it around occasionally. It really works and doesn't damage the fabric.
When I use it I let the item soak for several days, swishing it around occasionally. It really works and doesn't damage the fabric.
#10
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,808
I have a white quilt!
I want to share with you what I did. I did look online for RetroClean that several of you recommended. It is available at WalMart but I didn't find it on the shelf at my local store. I resorted to what I had on hand. Therefore--Dawn to the rescue!
I used hot water in my washer and a generous 1/2 c of Dawn. Sloshed it around pretty well with intent to let it soak "indefinitely" but the manufacturer of my machine thinks they know more than I do about operating the thing so it wasn't long that I found it drained! So I filled it up again and put Biz in this time. This application went through a usual cycle on delicate and then I washed it with my usual detergent and it came out like it had never been so ugly.
I am thrilled! I hope the woman who did all of the cross-stitching is looking down on it and is as pleased as I am. It is beautiful. Unfortunately I have never posted pictures here and don't know how. Just trust me, this worked!
I want to share with you what I did. I did look online for RetroClean that several of you recommended. It is available at WalMart but I didn't find it on the shelf at my local store. I resorted to what I had on hand. Therefore--Dawn to the rescue!
I used hot water in my washer and a generous 1/2 c of Dawn. Sloshed it around pretty well with intent to let it soak "indefinitely" but the manufacturer of my machine thinks they know more than I do about operating the thing so it wasn't long that I found it drained! So I filled it up again and put Biz in this time. This application went through a usual cycle on delicate and then I washed it with my usual detergent and it came out like it had never been so ugly.
I am thrilled! I hope the woman who did all of the cross-stitching is looking down on it and is as pleased as I am. It is beautiful. Unfortunately I have never posted pictures here and don't know how. Just trust me, this worked!