Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I recently received three dress shirts. As nearly as we can determine they are from the late 1800s or very early 1900s. They have removable collars and cuffs, bibbed fronts, etc. The problem is that they are stained with orange spots and what isn't orange is very yellowed. They are beautifully made and although I have no idea what to do with them, I would like to restore them. The cotton is very smooth and sturdy. Any suggestions would be welcomed!
By Lynda T
I have used lemon juice and the sun. If that didn't work I used hydrogen peroxide and the sun. J
Personally, because your garments are antique heirlooms, I wouldnt do anything with them! Because of their age, modern day detergents may be too harsh for the material. Try calling a museum in your area to see if they will offer any suggestions. They might even turn out to be worth "something". ~j/s. I would be very interested to know the outcome if you take this approach.
I have a half purple half white starter hat, the white half has started turning yellow. I would like to know what I could use on the white side to bring it back to white that won't affect the purple colour if it ran into it?
I would wash by hand with a color-safe bleach.
I have a pair of white pants that have been hanging in the closet forever and I wanted to wear them. I took them out and their was a yellow stain on the leg. How do I get the stain out?
By Cidni T.
You don't say what they are made of. If they are cotton and a solid white, you can add bleach to your wash cycle. If not, try using oxyclean.
I am getting married in October and am going to be wearing my mom's wedding veil. It has been in a box for 30+ years and has turned yellow. What are some ways I could get it white again without damaging the netting and lace?
I would take it to a dry cleaner who specializes in wedding gowns
What can I do to prevent and remove those stains that appear on your pants after being on the hangers for a while? It's like a straight line across the top pant leg that's been exposed on the hanger? I have this issue all the time and it really bugs me! I have a job interview in the morning and the nicest professional looking pair of pants that I plan on wearing has that one line across one pant leg.
Will machine washing it alone work or is there any pre-treating secrets you can reveal to help me so I look nice for my interview? I really want to make a good impression and not look silly or too cheap to afford a descent pair of pants (although I really can't afford a new pair of pants LOL). Any advice you can provide me is so greatly appreciated. Thank you all so much! :)
By Jennifer P.
Try wetting a pressing cloth with white vinegar & press the crease. I have used this method on skirts when I let the hem out.
Syd's 2 cents
I have a dry cleanable seersucker jacket that has yellowed over time. is there any remedy to return the white areas, white? now it just looks dirty and dingy and is unwearable.
I had several blouses that I sent to the cleaners and they became yellowed, I could not wear them at all. I thought what the heck, and through them in the wash and they came out with as snow.
I found a pair of brand new white denim jeans that fit me. Hooray, but the jeans have aged over the years being stored in my grandson's closet, and also have colorful embroidery. How can I carefully clean them without fading the embroidery, which is down the outside of each leg. I greatly appreciate any ideas! Thanks.
By Cammie
A friend gave me a beautiful sweater, but it is yellowed on the shoulders and the front from hanging in the closet. How can I clean it or do I need to take it to a professional cleaner?
By Virginia W.
I have a shirt that belonged to my mother. It's quite old (14 years). I'm quite attached to it, but it has gotten yellow/greyish with the years, so I'm looking for some tips to get it bright white again, without damaging it. So I'd rather not use bleach. Thanks in advance.
With kind regards.
By Prozac
How should I store a christening outfit after it's been cleaned and packed? I noticed the stains reappearing or yellowing in spots after I removed it from the packaging to be worn again.
By Jo from Warren, NJ
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Yellowed Cotton Clothing. How do you clean white cotton turtle neck shirt that have yellowed?
How do I get a yellow spot out of my white blouse after it has been hanging in the closet?
Well, not enough info to tell you for sure--if it is cotton, you can use some bleach or oxyclean. What caused the spot?
Try soaking it in hot water (5 gallons) with 2 T each of powdered dishwasher detergent and hydrogen peroxide. Soak overnight and wash as usual the next day.
Do you know what the stain is from? Is it oil based? Usually any stain comes out with Oxiclean but it would help to know what it's from
I have achilds flowered color dress with white actoss the top and lace the white material has yelliwed has its hung in her closet for 15 yrs tags still on it i have tried all of the suggestions except the lemon juice and sun and i bought s bar of ghe frls soap i am dedperate to get the lastof the yellow out i have git slmost all of it but not yet still needs to be white on the flap collar the lace on it csme out beautiful white butthe flap collar material is a diffrent its not lace . Help pleasr
This worked perfectly on a yellowed 47 year old christening dress stored in a cedar chest. Thanks!!
Kdpellet, can you tell me what worked perfectly on the christening gown?
Thank you!