francie yuhas

Evidence of mold is tough to remove...I soaked a quilt top in Retroclean for 5 days,then put in washer on cold,gentle with oxyclean...then just quilted it anyhow. Most of the yucky stuff came out. I'd beware of phosphate based detergents...they're hard on fabric.

Judylee2

Like Tartan, I aso use RetroClean. I mix the hot water with the product in a large bowl or Foot tub, Then place the fabric in it, completely wet the fabric and then put it in the sunshine to soak. I stir it every few hours and check the stained areas. One of the great things about RetroClean is that you can soak it for several days to remove stubborn stain without damaging your fabric. As a bonus, it usually brightens the other colors!

mawluv

Let us all know, what and if, anything works!! BTW, beautiful feedsacks!!!

tropit

I wouldn't sweat the small stains and just cut around them. I love the fabrics, btw. Very vintage and loverly.

~ Cindy

katydidkg

Interesting post, let us know how you make out.

Jean in Ohio13452

There is always Dawn Dishsoap....?
and let it soak...

sarahrachel

Thanks for the help everyone. I might try soaking it in dawn as I can't get out today because of freezing rain, and if that doesn't work I'll try the RetroClean, at least on the purple fabrics, I might just cut around the stain on the pink one.

coopah

Tartan is right. I had things from my great-grandmother's era that were stained and yellowed. Ordered the Retroclean, followed directions, everything came out beautifully. I reused the treated water until it looked grungy (that's my Yankee frugalness), but it is a product that WORKS and does not harm the fabric.

JustAbitCrazy

There's also Restoration, made especially for vintage fabrics.

bee3

don't forget lemon and sun does wonders for stains. Martha stewart also has some good recipes for cleaning old table cloths and linens, she recommends lemon and sun as well. I like peroxide but you have to rinse it off, or it could put holes in your fabric, but it does take a lot of stains out. Lemon and some dish soap works well too. Ive always been surprised when Ive put old stains out in the sun after washing and how well they come out.