Question:
I got a box at a local auction today ($5.) full of handmade dollies, table runners and stuff like that. They do have an old smell to them. How would I clean them? Should I put them in the washer on delicute or hand wash or what. The table runners are hand stitched embroidery. Most of the dollies are in pairs.
Not sure how to clean them.
Answer:
I'm no cleaning expert, but I'd make sure that I did one at a time to make sure that ya don't have one that might "run" and ruin them all....I'd probably wash 'em in a mild cleaner, like Woolite in the sink with cold water....
Answer:
Like Mary said, handwash! In mild soap. Lay flat to dry. You can even pin it into shape to dry, but at least spread it out.
Some folks use oxyclean to clean and whiten. It may depend what you plan to do with them.
Some buyers prefer to wash them themselves -- especially if the photos don't show stains.
If you plan to sell them, be sure to spell it 'doilies' so that your buyers can find them!
Elaine
Answer:
My fingers are not always connected to my brain. They work faster I think
Thanks both of you for the information. I thinkI will wash them if for no reason than to get the old smell out.
Answer:
Dian,
If any of those doilies are dimensionally unstable, be really careful to block them well after washing them.
You can try this: You can trace around the doily onto a plain white piece of paper before washing it so that you can get it back into the same shape (with pins, if needed) as it dries.
Good luck with this!
Elaine
edited to add: I think Barbara puts her white linens out in the sunshine to whiten/brighten them after she washes them. Maybe she'll drop in to give us more info one of these days.
Answer:
Thanks Elaine,
I had read somewhere to put them on white towels for drying.
I wondered about the puttng pins in them to hold them.
thanks for all the help
Answer:
That sounds like good advice (white towels or other white cloth)
Be sure the pins aren't rusty and/or aren't the type that rust...
Elaine
Answer:
I just washed a bunch of tablerunners and doilies and potholders myself. I did it in a bucket with warm, not hot water and I used the Baby version of Oxyclean. I let them soak overnight, then rinsed in cool water, repeatedly, and laid them out to dry on a flat towel. A couple of them had color so I did those individually. Came out nice and clean and white and fresh smelling. With the linen table runners and napkins, I starched and ironed them for an extra crisp look. Just be careful not to scorch.
Answer:
Iron them !!!!!
You mean I have to iron them !!!!! auggggg