Help! Yellowing Doilies!

I just took some doilies off my furniture to wash them (and dust the furniture) and noticed really heavy yellow spots on the doilies. I realize some are cream colored, not really white, but they are a real sickly yellow color. And not evenly, either- more towards the edges. As a conservationist I realize wood is acidic, but my furniture has a finish on it. No smoking in this house, either.

That's the first question.

Next, I need to know how to clean the doilies safely. I usually just hand wash them in mild detergent and hang them up to dry. I've un-spotted tablecloths with boiling water and lemon juice, but this seems harsh for delicates.

Any advice?

Thanks,

I asked my wife what she does when her delicates get yellow stains and she told me to MIND MY OWN BUSINESS and quit playing on the web...........Then, she came to see which newsgroup I was reading and gave me whack across the back of my head.

Doug W. ~>*) Big Fish EAT Little Fish (*<~

Direct sunshine ??

Susan, When I have to clean fibers that have discolored I soak them in Ultra Biz or Snowy Bleach they are both in the local supermarket in they detergent isle. They are both products that do not have any chlorine bleach in them and will not damage the fibers.

Are these doilies REALLY this delicate? Most are crocheted from very strong cotton thread. I wash the 'grimies' I found at yard sales in hot water, lots of bleach and good detergent. They come out nicely and I've never had one fall apart.

I have found a great stain and spot remover. First determine how hot a temperature of water the fabric can tolerate. Use equal portions of hot water, Dove dishwashing detergent, and the blue box Clorox 2. These must be in equal portions. I generally mix them at 1 cup each. Soak for an hour and check by rinsing. If it needs longer, go ahead. To isolate a spot on a large tablecloth, etc., just grab the center of the soiled area, pull up, and put a rubber band around it. Then all you have to soak is that spot. I have used this on 100 year old material without any adverse reactions. But, you should test your fabric first anyhow. I have been able to remove even gravy stains from very old napkins which had obviously been washed and ironed many times. Good luck!

Kris; You obviously sold your doilies before you could see the results of 'lots of bleach.' I guarantee you that there are shards of cotton threading hanging over somebodies loveseat that used to be your doilies. Try soaking overnight in Efferdent (not you Kris, the doilies).

Actually, packrat - that's a method I use on my own doilies, and none have fallen apart. One thing I neglected to mention is that it's necessary to re-wash them sans bleach, so that there's none left to cause deterioration.

Whew!

Museum Archivists will fist try a PH balanced soap called ORVIS. This is available at any Animal Supply place for a much lower price than on the shelves of any store. Lay it flat and soak it until the stains are gone and then replace the water with clean water until the soap is all gone. Do not scrub or wring it when wet as this will only break down the fibers.

Dry flat after rolling in a prelaundered ph balanced turkish towel, to towel dry off all of the excess water. Change the towel if it becomes too damp and drying takes too long. Keep the fabric supported at all times when wet.

If the stains still remain then use a solution of Sodium Perborate and distilled water in the same manner as described above. This is a powder, available from your local pharmicist. One tablespoon to two gallons of water is the usual amount of the mixture.

Good Luck!

please be aware that any clorine bleach, by its nature, contains clorine. if this is not rinsed out completely clorine will remain in the article and interact with hydrogen to form HCL a very strong acid.

Try BIZ. Is a tip I got from a prominent textiles dealer and the stuff is great! Soak your items in a bucket of the warmest water that is safe for your fabric with several big scoops of Biz disolved in it. Leave it alone for a couple of days,agitating periodically , then gently rinse very well. BIZ is a dry enzyme bleach/detergent that works really well on anything organic-I've even had good luck on old old blood and rust stains. Yellow spots should be a piece of cake. Not all markets seem to carry BIZ but usually can find at Safeway next to the Clorox dry bleach. Good luck.NTANTIQUES>Subject: Re: Help! Yellowing Doilies!