Lace has always been used to embellish cotton (or linen) sheets, doilies, and underwear. Given its extreme delicacy, it is necessary to use precise precautions to avoid mistreating or ruining its beauty through inadequate washing methods. Let’s go immediately to see a series of tips that will help you understand how to wash the lace correctly to preserve all the peculiarities of this splendid fabric.
First of all, we must remember that the typical lace textures (generally applied on the edges if not even on large portions) are easily subject to tearing if washed like any other fabric in the washing machine. For this reason, it is suggested to introduce the lace object not directly in contact with the washing machine but rather wrapped inside a white cotton sock.
In this way, you will avoid exposing the lace to the centrifuge’s violent force without running the risk of damaging it irreparably. The same procedure can also be used to wash the fabric inside a basin if you prefer to wash it by hand. In the latter case, it is necessary to avoid squeezing it in any way.
The products used to wash our lace objects must be suitable. It is preferable to avoid common detergents for clothes, which have degreasing and too aggressive qualities. Instead, you can opt for detergent or stain remover for embroidery, available at a common shopping center. Remember to dedicate an exclusive wash to cleaning the lace, thus excluding other garments.
At the end of the washing, the lace must be gently wrung out and placed on a movable surface. It will also be necessary to avoid spreading it as you do with a common garment, not placing it in direct sunlight. Wringing and exposing the lace to the sun’s rays could deform it or turn it yellow. To let it dry, the shaded areas are the most suitable.
When the lace is completely dry, it will be possible to proceed with a light ironing, strictly with a warm iron. But be careful, since ironing must never be carried out directly on the fabric but using a cotton cloth to cover the portion to be ironed completely. In addition, the cotton cloth must be white, which prevents any residual color from remaining imprinted on the lace during the iron application.
Finally, remember to absolutely avoid the use of bleach or similar products to wash the affected fabric. Do not wait until the lace is filthy and difficult to clean, but carry out washing cycles at regular rhythms so that the detergents you will use (notoriously more delicate than bleach) can easily remove the dirt.
