How to Thoroughly Clean Vintage Linens

Antique fabrics lose their pristine quality over time, often due to dinner-party spills, dirt settling into folds, and discolorations caused by ironing starch. Another challenge: They may be too delicate to machine-wash. But hope isn't lost. Fortunately, with a little bit of patience, you can revive them by hand. Consult this method and watch set-in spots and streaks fade away from your favorite heirloom fabrics.

Presoak

If the pieces have been exiled to the deepest corner of your linen closet for a while, give them a long bath in plain cold or tepid water to loosen set-in grime. Replace the water when it gets cloudy, and repeat until it stays clear. (And we do mean a long one: This can take up to a week.)

Wash

Fill a tub with tepid water and mild laundry detergent, as well as powdered oxygen bleach, such as OxiClean ($12.98, amazon.com) (see the soaps' labels for the proportions). Wearing rubber gloves, slosh the linens around gently. Rinse well.

Treat

decorvow Living home editor Lorna Aragon swears by Engleside Restoration Fabric Restorer ($20.99, amazon.com) to remove stubborn stains. Dissolve three scoops per gallon of water, then soak the fabric for six to eight hours. Remove and rinse.

Air-Dry

The sun has natural fabric-brightening powers. Lay your items flat on a towel outside (or in a sunny spot inside).

Store

To keep antique linens in mint condition, store them in a dry, dark cupboard on shelves that are painted or lined with acid-free paper (oils in wood can discolor them), and tuck sheets of acid-free paper in their folds, too.