Washing baby wollens

Question

how to wash 40 year old white baby outfit?  I have two & both were white & are stained. Any ideas besides using Dawn & soaking in cold water?

Laura Libert · Answer

@G. Charlebois What type of fabric are the outfits? I've had good luck spot cleaning cottons with fels naptha and then soaking them in oxiclean; if the stains are still there, turn the clothing inside out and sun them while wet--keep re-wetting them until the stain has faded (this is an old technique known as crofting).  Hope this helps!

G. Charlebois · Answer

Hi Laura! The sweaters and booties are made of real fine wool....the outfits are almost 50 years old now & I would like to pass them on to my first great grandchild. They were stored in a cedar chest for most of their life and have a dingy look as well as a couple of stains on one sweater & one bonnet. Any other ideas?

G. Charlebois · Answer

Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas.

LouAnn Rowe Creps · Answer

I would get them dry cleaned considering the age they are.

Anne Jorgensen · Answer

hi there, i recently used oxyclean to soak a vintage hand made cross stich picture...the thread was wool and the backing was cotton..i first sprayed it with oxyclean laundry stain remover. then i took a half a cup of oxyclean in a sink (tub) of warm water and swished it around to have it mixed well, then put the picture in and just let it soak for a little while..checked on it a lot cause i wasnt sure what was going to happen..scrunched it a little then rinsed and rinsed and rinsed it a lot..put it on a towel and let it dry..
there are different products on the market to whiten , white vintage things...have you checked on the internet?
hope this helps good luck

G. Charlebois · Answer

Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas.

Anne Jorgensen · Answer

how did it work out?

G. Charlebois · Answer

Well I soaked them in oxy clean & cold water for a few hours hoping to remove the stains but it did not work. They seem brighter but the stains remain. Think I may take the articles to a local yarn shop & see if the owner has any ideas! I would love to have them for my first great grandchild who is due to be born in late April. Thanks for your suggestions.

Lynda Lingg · Answer

Hi there. I just found this after doing a search. I've got spots on my wedding gown to remove because my daughter wants to use it. I hope it works. Maybe it would work for you too? http://retroclean.com/retroclean/

Rose S · Answer

how about soaking then in cold water mixed with lemon juice. The gently wringing/patting most if the water out of them and putting then on a towel in the sun to finish drying. Lemon juice and sun remove stains. Good luck.

G. Charlebois · Answer

Thanks everyone for your great hints! I am going to call a local yarn shop this morning and see if there is anyone with some knowledge about this. The other option I just thought about is our local museum, they might know of some cleaner I could use. will post again if I find anything new.

Lynda Lingg · Answer

Hello. You're welcome. I've not seen it anywhere but online. I copied and pasted the link on my previous message so you could click on it if you wanted. I really hope it helps you!!

Michele · Answer

There is this stuff called bright white. It does amazing things. But if there is anything colored on it it will ruin the color. Found that out the hard way. I have used it for years on my boys sports uniforms

Washing baby wollens

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Washing baby wollens

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