Can I wash vintage lace dresses in a washing machine?
by
Yolonda
+6
We won these items in a storage unit. These dresses are very interesting, but have some stains on them around the neck area, chest and other areas. What would be the best and cheapest way to remove the stains? Any suggestions or tips are appreciated!
Don't put them in the washer!!!! See if this video helps you. They are beautiful!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6boW_62jvyY
I would hand wash in the sink with a mixture of Dawn and an oxygenated cleaner like Awesome Orange or Oxyclean.
wash them in the bathtub with oolite
Spray the necklines and armholes of each dress with something like Spray and Wash pre-laundry stain remover. Then put each dress in a separate pillowcase and tie the ends cloSed. Wash on a gentle cycle with very little detergent and a cup of washing soda or 1/2 cup of OxyClean or Borax. Line dry inside the house, if possible, or on air dry in the dryer. Unless the dresses are 100% cotton (they’re not), then dry them in the sun. Best wishes ☺️
I would not wash in a washing machine. Depending on what they are made of, I would presoak them in a little borax and water, then gently squeeze suds (gentler the better) thru them and rinse carefully. At this point, check to see if any stains remain. I would work my way carefully (spot checking is always wisest) thru a white vinegar rinse, then oxygen bleach (Oxyclean or similar product) and keep checking your progress. If you still have stains, cream of tartar (from the spice aisle) mixed into a paste with a little lemon juice and spread on stains will often shift them. When they are as clean as you can get them, I would give them one more thorough rinse, roll in towels and press out as much water as possible. Finally, I would dry them on a white or light colored sheet, shaping and smoothing them gently, making sure that hem is straight, sleeves are the same length, seams are smooth, shoulders and neckline are symmetrical. My grandmother would say put them in the sun to dry, but that isn't always practical these days. Good Luck
I would hand wash.
My Grandmother would use those fizzy tablets for cleaning dentures. She would put them in a small tub in the sink, then add the lace item and cold water.
When I was getting married MANY years ago, the dry cleaners ruined my mom's dress. So we thought. It came back very yellow and dingy. We put it in the bathtub with Wisk laundry detergent. Came out perfect!
Oh, please don't put these beautiful dresses in a washing machine! You can handwash. I bought a 1914 wedding dress at a yard sale and successfully hand washed it.