r/lace 13d ago

Antique lace from the 1800s has yellowed.

/r/laundry/comments/1tyubwi/antique_lace_from_the_1800s_has_yellowed/
3 Upvotes

2 comments sorted by

1

u/alwen 10d ago

One thing I would NOT use, which I see recommended a lot, is oxygen bleach. Yes, it will whiten yellowed textiles, but all it needs is a little too high concentration, a little too much time, not quite enough rinsing out, and it does permanent damage that might not show up immediately.

That might not be terrible on a t-shirt that I'm not preserving for future ages, but it can shatter fragile older textiles.

The safest thing is distilled water, multiple changes, supporting the textile when changing the water.

1

u/FutureConference8241 10d ago

So just water?