Stains on vintage quilts
 

I've been dogging estate sales lately, looking for vintage fabric and sewing machines. I've found some really nice vintage quilts, but they are stained. No matter which estate, they appear to have the same kind of stains. It looks like someone was chewing tobacco and dribbled on it. They are kind of random, brown stains. I looked at one today that had several stains smaller than a dime. I've seen them long and thin, like someone spit on it. I don't think they are rust stains as they do not have a reddish hue, but they might be. I'm reluctant to purchase a quilt just to experiment with, as they are usually fairly expensive just for an experiment.

Has anyone had success removing these stains? Anyone know what they might be? Any other brilliant ideas?

bkay

They are usually not tobacco stains but some are water stained, I know Eleanor Burns uses a product to remove stains from vintage quilts but cannot remember what she used. Perhaps if you just do a search you can get the information you need. I also know that she doesn't spend a whole lot of money on the quilts.

there is a product some have raved about, restore i believe the name was. there was a post on this not too long ago.

I would try Retro Clean. https://www.amazon.com/Retro-Clean-1...rds=retroclean

Cindy Needham recommends it for cleaning vintage fabrics.

Restore really works well. The stains may be from storage in a cedar chest--wood oils will seep out of the wood pretty much forever.

I've had good luck with Restore with several quilts and also a VERY nicotine stained crocheted bedspread. You may have to soak, drain water, then re-soak. Just follow the instructions.

Is "Restore" a quilt shop product?

You can get good results with an all-fabric (non-chlorine) bleach. You do need to soak it for a long time.

I use Restoration, which is manufactured in Lancaster, Pa., and specifically for vintage linens.

I see a product called "Restoration" and there is a good price at Harriet Hargraves site:

http://wwwharrietha571.corecommerce....-Soak-p72.html
Also available at Amazon and others.

I use retro clean,and soak the quilt in it for several days...at least 4 or 5.

Thanks, guys for the help. I guess I'll just buy one and give it a try.

bkay

They are probably humidity stains. If so, it will not come out. BTW, you should never store them in plastic that doesn't breathe.

There is product just for this called SOAK. Ask your quiltshop to order some in for you.

sandy

There is also "Grandmother Stain Remover". Comes in a small yellow bottle with a pic of Grandmother. I found it in quilt shops and recently in the laundry section at Wal Mart.

Thanks for the thread bkay.

When we closed up my father's house, I found a quilt top my mother cross stitched for me in 70's. She never got it quilted and stored it in a closed plastic bag. I used Soak on the entire quilt and laid it in the sun after rinsing, but it did not get all of the stains out. There are some brownish stains remaining. I'm afraid to soak it too extensively (3 days as suggested above) because I'm afraid the cross stitching may fade or deteriorate.

Now that I have tried Soak, what else might you recommend? Do you spot soak or immerse the entire quilt?

Thanks so much.

j.

I have had good luck with zout. It is in the laundry section of my grocery store. I have found wonderful old embroidered linen items and got stains out with it. I pre-treat the stain, pour hot water through it, pre-treat again and let it sit for a day or so and then wash that spot only until I get the spot out, then wash it all in a mild soap in the machine.

My sister smoked all her adult life till her death at 85. I inherited some of her quilts and they were all stained with smoke. Alas, the stains never came out. I use them, but am disappointed at their look.

Thanks RedGarnet. I'll try that.