Antique Crochet doilies how to clean?

[sidewalker]

I recently got a bunch of crochet work from my father that was done by his grandmother.
There are a few pieces that look like they go under a vase, or table lamp. They look finished.

But I have one that is not complete. It has spaces for other *squares* to be placed but I do have the squares.
Does anyone have any suggestion on how to clean (some look to be tea stained or something) and how would you go about having someone finish the one long table one that needs the extra pieces put in?
I do not know HOW to crochet. At least not well enough to do that type work.


Its beautiful work. I just dont want to ruin it by trying. lol.

[MizzyMuffling]

Wash them with gentle cycle and not a lot of detergent and no spinning or only a little bit. They have to be almost dripping wet when done. Don't use bleach. That's how I would do it.
I have an antique pillow case with crochet on the outside and I just use the "wool cycle" which in Germany is a gentle cycle with only a little bit of spinning. But NO dryer!!!

[sidewalker]

yeah, I was thinking of using a product like Woolite or Ivory for babies. Very mild soap.
I may even try hand washing on a piece or two.
The unfinished one.....I will hold off on if I decide to try hand washing. See how the others do....

[MizzyMuffling]

It also put it in a net like you can do with your panties & bras.

[Marseille]

I’ve cleaned them in the sink in an OxyClean solution and then dry them flat. Whatever method, I would try it on one before doing all.

If you have a JoAnn fabric store, they often have lists of people who do various sewing work or crafts like knitting, quilting, alterations and whatnot.

[AndyS]

I was going to suggest oxyclean. Do you have a clothes line outside where you can hang them to dry in the sun. As long as you can do that without stretching them out.

[miamac]

I'm laughing at myself, I misread the title of the thread and thought it said "crochet dollies" and I was picturing you agonizing over those toilet roll covers with with doll heads and crocheted skirts floating in a soak of Oxyclean, their plastered smiles bobbing on the surface.

[Fridyrr.Likn]

I would have suggested hand-washing in the sink with oxyclean or baking soda and a tiny bit of gentle detergent.

[sidewalker]

Originally Posted by miamac

I'm laughing at myself, I misread the title of the thread and thought it said "crochet dollies" and I was picturing you agonizing over those toilet roll covers with with doll heads and crocheted skirts floating in a soak of Oxyclean, their plastered smiles bobbing on the surface.

OH THANKS FOR THE VISUAL! lol
You truly are a cray cray. LOL!! (love you mia)


I will put it off until I feel confident I can put them someplace to dry. I DO have a clothes line but I wont hang them. Might stretch them out or something.



Thanks you all. I just dont want to destroy them.

[nimuay]

You can use borax and warm water. Swishing is about all I'd do, and certainly not even a delicate cycle in a washer! If the stains aren't completely removed, squirts lemon juice on them and then after that, a towel on the 'lawn' or whatever you have that approximates that, in the sun for the extra bleaching it does esp when combined with the lemon juice.

None of that will cause any damage at all.

[R&R]

From what I have seen, some who make those doillies will pin down the points while they are still wet so they do not curl up and do not distort in general.