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-   -   What to Use to Remove "Browning" from Old Lace (https://www.quiltingboard.com/general-chit-chat-non-quilting-talk-f7/what-use-remove-browning-old-lace-t280276.html)

ManiacQuilter2 07-09-2016 04:35 AM

I bought a small package of this product online at Walmart but haven't had a chance to try it out.

maryfrang 07-09-2016 04:55 AM

placing the lace on green grass in bright sunshine. It worked on my grandmothers bedspread that is crochet. Good luck

SewingSew 07-09-2016 06:00 AM

Think outside the box. If you really love the lace, a way to display it would be to arrange the lace on the top of a coffee table and put a piece of glass over the top. I purchased a large, distressed coffee table and two end tables about 10 years ago and ordered glass tops with beveled edges for all three. It looked super nice and I got a lot of compliments on them. I think the glass cost $75 for the end tables and $110 for the coffee table. I have seen black and white family photos displayed this way and it is visually pleasing and interesting.

tessagin 07-09-2016 06:10 AM

If you use this method make sure you have it pinned in place. I have used this method and a container so the doily/lace piece can lay flat. Don't pin into the threads just between the threads so it doesn't shrink.

Originally Posted by Ellageo (Post 7597586)
Oxiclean with the hottest water you can get, works for me.


AZ Jane 07-09-2016 06:29 AM

Remember sometimes it's the agitation that cause damage not the product. I would start with a soak in Dawn dish washing liquid with just a up and down motion to wash and rinse, roll up in a towel to remove as much water as possible.

quilterpurpledog 07-09-2016 06:48 AM

Cindy Needham's advice is top notch and works wonderfully well. I ruined some precious lace with some of those other things before I wised up and consulted Cindy's website.

cashs_mom 07-09-2016 07:01 AM

I use Stain Solver for tough stains but haven't tried it on lace.

My mom took old doiles and put them in frames with other fabrics (mostly velvets) as backing. They made very cute pictures. She did that with old evening purses, too. I still have one hanging in my powder room.

ShirlinAZ 07-09-2016 08:32 AM

MIL and I used 20-Mule Team Borax (Borateam) to clean brown out of hand crocheted table cloth she inherited from her MIL. We soaked overnight, rinsed, soaked again with clean mix, I think 3 times total. Came out beautifully removing about 75 years of dry cleaning solvent and cigarette smoke. Thread was originally a light ivory and by the time we were done it was back to it's original color. I see Borateam is still sold in WalMart.

added: We did all the cleaning in the bath tub, not in the washer, but when finished we dried on the no-heat setting of the electric dryer until almost dry, then laid on plastic on the floor to finish blocking and drying.

Suz 07-09-2016 09:23 AM

I respect (and envy) the work that Cindy Needham does and inclined to go her route. I have some Orvus on hand and will try a few pieces in a soak. And I will go to Cindy's site and see if I can find a resource for the Tartan that has been suggested. Thanks all of you for your suggestions.

(Incidentally, my coffee table is nothing but an old painted wash bench. Under glass is out of the question but a lovely idea.)

coopah 07-09-2016 02:39 PM


Originally Posted by Tartan (Post 7597281)
I have heard that Retro Clean is the product you want for antique and vintage fabrics.

Used it and it works well. I was able to reuse the water with the product in it to clean several antique quilts. That's not recommended, but hey! It was worth the try. This product that is worth the money. There was no damage to the quilts. Some were stitched in the late 1930's.


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