Cleaning Stains on Crocheted Items

Request:

How does one wash and block a large, hand crocheted tablecloth? It is 100% cotton, #10 bedspread weight. Also, is starching appropriate for this item?

thistleneedle

Answers:

I've made several crocheted tablecloths. I wash them in my washer on gentle cycle using cold water. You need a flat, clean surface that won't be harmed by moisture on which to dry the tablecloth. I use my picnic table. Spread the cloth out and then "pull" the cloth back into shape before it dries. I sort of start in the middle of the cloth and smooth/pull it into shape while working outward. When it's back in shape (square, oval, round, etc.) just let it dry. I don't use starch as I've found it doesn't drape well over the edges of the table. I'd also avoid drying the cloth in direct sunshine. Good luck!

Post by ShellyE (Guest Post)

Sabrina,
If you are afraid to try washing it, take it to your local drycleaner. They have all kinds of things to remove spots. It does help if you know what caused the stain, because they know what things to try first.
There is a great cleaner on the corner of Main and Reservoir in Woodstock...
Kelly-CHS '84

Since your church undoubtedly has some sort of "stiffener" making it hold its shape it would be difficult to wash and still retain the shape.

• You may have to hand wash the church and then try to find a way to stuff the church back into shape so you can redo the stiffening.
• Should you wish to try this approach I would suggest you take several photos of the church so you can be sure to get the shape correct.
• Washing:
• If the church is white or ecru, hand-wash it one of these:
• Woolite, use the detergent and try using "oxy" or color-safe bleaches. Let the church soak for awhile in the suds and slosh around.
• Soak in a mixture of warm water with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.
• Combine a few spoons of Twenty Mule Team Borax, liquid detergent in lukewarm water and let soak for a while. Slosh and squeeze the church until clean.
• Rinse well several times.
• Roll in a nice thick towel to blot most of the water. Look for something to stuff inside the church to make it hold its shape.
• You may be able to find something like a glass or plastic square vase and you may have to use wood pieces if there is a steeple.
• Here are a couple of links that give a lot of information on how to stiffen your doilies.
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You can wash as usual, and set out in the sun to dry

I add a bit of baking soda in my wash then sun-dry

Use oxyclean to soak and lift the stains I used it on my lace table cloth and it worked great!!

I would suggest washing it in a large lingerie bag for sure so as to not twist it as the threads may be weakened from age.

Rit Dye makes several products for removing color and stains. I have used one called "color remover" or "whitener" (can't remember which) to whiten nylon undergarments that had gotten yellow.

Have you tried vinegar?

I've used color-safe bleach(gentler than regular bleach) with good results. But why not keep that beautiful yellowed color? It's so precious, it says, "this was handed down with love".

Put some vinegar on it, then pour boiling water over it.

Try peroxide.

Try dish detergent, which is very safe. Be careful if you try peroxide, as it might take color out of adjacent areas. See if there's a hidden portion you can test first.

OxyClean works wonders. It is an oxygen bleach and will not eat the threads like clorox would. I've used it on many crocheted items

Yes

To answer that, we would need to know the color and what type of yarn. To clean something wool would be much different than if it were of cotton yarn. And if it were white, it would be different than if it were a pale pastel.

However, I would start by soaking in a solution of cool water with some Dawn in it. Swish and squeeze it, and change water if needed until the water is clear. Rinse the same way and lay flat to dry. If it has any color in it or is wool, do not put in the sun. If it is white and has no wool yarn, you could lay flat in the sunlight to dry.

Any additional cleaners used on it would be determined by the type and color of the yarn.

I would try Oxyclean and keep noticing it if it works. If it does remove immediately and rinse because you do not want to keep it longer than necessary in the solution in case it gets damaged If you have followed directions and stain does not disappear in the time stated, then remove and wash. Good luck!

I steamed mine clean.