well the conservationist in me says "when in doubt leave it alone"
however. a method that actual conservationists have used to clean smoke fdamaged antique fibers....
take a cool water container, and mix in some neutral soap.. usually Orvis (sold in animal supply and yarn/spinning stores, or mail order )
now, carefuly, in single layers (to avoid bleed through) put in your items, and have them soak for just a few minutes... then start a trickle of water running in one end of the container. let it run out the other side, gradually.
you are looking for an extended soak with water transfer and no agitation.
the method was discovered by accident using kids swimming pools and a hose left on to fill them slowly.
remember that if these are linen or cotton they like it BASE, linen especially, but be careful with the embroidery. all fiver except linen is presumed to be very weak when wet, i suggest using a pre laundered plain cloth as a "sling" to get the items in and out of the bath
Absolutely do not use Woolite, especially with old or delicate fibers. Use a ph neutral soap like Orvis or Ivory Soap (not detergent). Soak, do not scrub and use lots of cool water to rinse. Do not twist or wring the water out, roll it in an absorbent towel. Lay on a smooth surface to dry. You can gently smooth most of the wrinkles out at this point. If there is lace, pin out the points with rust-proof pins. If you want to get out more of the wrinkles, use a pressing cloth and press, do not iron.
Some stains will not come out without destroying the fiber.
Blotting them as dry as you can may help to minimize bleeding of the colors. After washing as others suggested, put the hank=y on a clean dry towel and cover with another towel. Apply gentle pressure without any twisting or movement, and then transfer it to another towl or nylon screen to finish drying.
PS with lace or tatting, strighten it out as much as you can while it is still damp. It's much easier that way than trying to press it flat after it's dried with wrinkles in it.
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Also, never let wet linens carry their own weight - support them on a clean white linen tea towel at all times.
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"when in doubt leave it alone"
however. a method that actual conservationists have used to clean smoke fdamaged antique fibers....
take a cool water container, and mix in some neutral soap.. usually Orvis (sold in animal supply and yarn/spinning stores, or mail order )
now, carefuly, in single layers (to avoid bleed through) put in your items, and have them soak for just a few minutes... then start a trickle of water running in one end of the container. let it run out the other side, gradually.
you are looking for an extended soak with water transfer and no agitation.
the method was discovered by accident using kids swimming pools and a hose left on to fill them slowly.
remember that if these are linen or cotton they like it BASE, linen especially, but be careful with the embroidery.
all fiver except linen is presumed to be very weak when wet, i suggest using a pre laundered plain cloth as a "sling" to get the items in and out of the bath
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Absolutely do not use Woolite, especially with old or delicate fibers. Use a ph neutral soap like Orvis or Ivory Soap (not detergent). Soak, do not scrub and use lots of cool water to rinse. Do not twist or wring the water out, roll it in an absorbent towel. Lay on a smooth surface to dry. You can gently smooth most of the wrinkles out at this point. If there is lace, pin out the points with rust-proof pins. If you want to get out more of the wrinkles, use a pressing cloth and press, do not iron.
Some stains will not come out without destroying the fiber.
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