Caring for your Vintage Cotton Items

Perhaps you did a little spring cleaning and came across a beautiful cotton tablecloth you want to start using again. Chances are, though, that it’s a little musty and stained from years of non-use. Here are some ways to handle stain removal for those delicate vintage cotton items, so you and your family can cherish them for years to come.

First, pre-treat any stains with dishwashing detergent, not laundry detergent (it’s much gentler on these delicate items).

Next, fill a bathtub with lukewarm water, and gently wash the tablecloth, being sure to remove all traces of the solution you used to pre-treat the fabric. Lay flat to dry. Once it’s fully dry, your vintage cotton tablecloth will be wrinkled, but cotton’s natural durability means it can handle being ironed, for a smooth and wrinkle-free appearance.

Learn more about fighting stains and treating even the most delicate cotton items on Ask Norma, courtesy of TheFabricOfOurLives.com.