How To Wash Vintage Table Linens

Need to know how to wash vintage table linens? Vintage table linens can add a beautiful statement to your table setting or become a hobby for collectors, but because of their age, the linens may have become yellowed or stained. Knowing how to wash your vintage linens will not only allow you to use them more but will also help preserve them. Bringing your vintage linens back to their former beauty can be done with a little patience and some gentle washing.

To wash vintage table linens, you will need:

• Two gallons cool water
• One cup vinegar
• Lemon juice
• Soft towels
• One cup laundry detergent
• Two gallons hot water

1. First, inspect your vintage linen pieces. Pay attention to their condition to see if they can be washed. Pre-treat any stains before washing.
2. Make a mixture of vinegar, lemon juice and cool water. Lemon juice is a natural bleach. Gently hand wash your vintage table linens one at a time.
3. Allow your linens to soak overnight. The next day, rinse in cool water and lay them on a flat, clean surface in the sun to dry. Using a dryer can damage your linens. Sunshine helps to whiten table linens, but make sure it's filtered sun and not direct sunlight, and only expose your vintage linens for ten to fifteen minutes.

A second washing might be needed if the first wash did not give the results you want. To wash vintage table linens that are still not clean, follow the steps below.

1. Use a mild laundry detergent with hot water. Stir the detergent and hot water solution well with a wooden spoon before adding your linens. Do not use bleach.
2. Add your vintage linen pieces and swish them gently in the water. Allow them to soak overnight.
3. Rinse your linens in cool water. Rinse them two times to insure that all of the detergent is out.
4. Press your vintage table linens with a soft towel to absorb the water. Lay them out to dry on a flat, clean surface.