I have inherited crocheted tablecloths, doilies, and even a bedspread from my mom. She gave me a large round doily which was made out of dark tan (almost brown) thread. I didn't like the color so I soaked it in a strong bleach solution overnight. In the morning I reached in to take it out of the solution and it literally came apart in my hand. Inwas devastated, to say the least, but I learnedly that bleach is not a good friend to cotton crochet thread.