I found this rather pretty rose-bordered linen damask tablecloth in the charity shop yesterday. Having been caught several times before with badly stained vintage tablecloths I gave this one a good once-over before buying it. Sadly, I failed to spot the light but fairly extensive stain on one portion of it. Which is a bit of a pain as I'd bought it to resell on ebay. Never mind, it was only £1.00.
It's already been washed in the machine with a dose of Ace bleach (that stuff always sounds so promising but I find it never really does shift stains that well,) and the stain just won't come out so I shall have to have a rethink about what I can do with it. Somewhere in the back of my mind I'm thinking the two-tone pink rose border would look quite nice on the bottom of an apron / pinny - you know, the sort of long-length aprons that waiters wear in posh restaurants. Meanwhile, if anyone has a good tip for shifting stains from vintage linens I'd be most grateful (the stain looks like tea or coffee to me.)
I'd get it out in the sun if you can. I know, there's probably not much sun, but it works wonders with stains. So easy, and free. Hope you are able to get it out.
Posted by: Jennifer | 02/09/2010 at 05:22 PM
Glycerine is supposed to be good for tea and coffee stains. Good luck!
Posted by: Amanda Brown | 02/09/2010 at 07:45 PM
Hope you get it out.
Thought of you today when I was watching ice road truckers, I think you said you watch? The bit where Lisa was driving on the water was scary!!!
Posted by: Frugal Trenches | 02/10/2010 at 01:01 AM
I would also say that you can first try out some glycerine on a tea/coffee stain on some other cloth and then try it out here. I have heard glycerine works.
Posted by: Quilt | 02/13/2010 at 09:10 PM