How I Remove Stains & Clean Vintage Linens

Hello & Welcome to my channel! Some of you requested that I make a video showing how I clean & remove stains from the linens I buy. This video is just one way of soaking linens to remove stains. I had to keep this video under 15 mins so I wasn't able to tell you everything that I wanted to. So I added some extra infomation below. If you have any questions please feel free to ask in the comment section.
If you would like to see the BEFORE of these linens check out my Vintage Garage Sale Haul #10 video 😊
Items I used:
36 Quart Bella plastic tub
Oxi Clean Odor Blasters (powder) 1/2 scoop
Shout Color Catcher sheets. 1 sheet
Percil Pro Clean Liquid Detergent
Clorox Bleach Pen
Warm water
*****MORE INFO: I normally don't pretreat stains. So I didn't show that part in the video. If you have a few larger stains then I would recommend pretreating the spot with Percil. I only showed the products used in this video. There are a couple of other products that I would suggest for very yellowed or delicate fabric. I use Retro Clean & Retro Wash (found on Amazon) for antique fabrics, cold water soakings & heavily yellowed linens. Perhaps I'll do another video in the future showing cleaning with this products/methods. Natural items such as lemon juice & baking soda work well also. It's nice to have options that aren't chemical based. 😊.
VERY IMPORTANT
***Making the decision to use the washing machine and or dryer is an important one! Look through your linens for holes & loose threads. If you see one or both I would recommend hand washing and hanging to dry. Also with some more delicate fabrics you will want to eliminate either one or both & stick with hand washing only.
Disclaimer: I am in no way an expert at removing stains & cleaning linens! Please test spot your fabric prior & know what kind of fabric you will be soaking. I am not endorsed by any company & all opinions are strictly my own. This is just my go to method & I'm hoping it will help you. 😊
Please like, subscribe & comment!

[@kristinemarkle4367]

Thanks JoJo , This really helps. For linens that are too far gone...Holes , tears or big spots that dont come out ; I cut around embroidery and add to a special quilt I am making.

[@zaidadiaz4953]

Thank you so much for your advice! I followed your directions and my vintage tablecloths and napkins came out stain free and beautiful. They have sentimental value because they were made by my mother-in-law and my husband's grandmother. Now both my daughters can inherit a family heirloom that have been restored.

[@lainedyer960]

Thank you for sharing all your good linen cleaning information with such patience and detail! You are a great teacher!...And you make it so folks don't feel afraid to just "jump in" and start restoring some of these vintage linen lovelies!

[@paulafowlercreativetreasur608]

I used your method today. I followed every step...after putting the warm water in, dissolving the oxy clean, I had to dump it out, it was so dirty. 3 more soaking and changing water, they are now in the washer soaking. I am amazed at how clean everything is. I got tiny red dots out of a piece and yellow stains out of another, Thank you for the step by step detail on cleaning my vintage laces, tablecloths, and doilies. Thank you so very much!1

[@treasuretom13]

Thanks for helping us bachelors out..we don't have a clue!

[@TheThrillofTheThrift]

Julie I’m hoping you’re doing well. I really enjoy your channel and you’ve been so helpful. I bought the book you suggested “The Decorated Tumbler “ and I love it. You haven’t been around for at least a year and we’re all worried about you. God Bless. Deidra

[@nightimeyes5046]

Those are so pretty and they turned out so well from the cleanings! Thank you so much for sharing! I just finished a cross stitch design that my grandmother started years ago, and I was so worried because of the staining over the years that is affecting the aida fabric but I feel like this is going to help it to return to the bright white and help the colors to really pop! Fingers crossed!

[@threeheartsvintage7319]

Hi Jo Jo, shared this video with a couple of friends who needed to get stains out of old linens.....they said it worked like a charm from them....thanks for sharing.

[@sealightful]

You found some beautiful vintage Linens!👍❤️❤️❤️Thank you so much for sharing with us how you wash them🖐❤️❤️❤️

[@Thriftypapergarden]

I have a few spot cleaners that I use but primarily soaking in Oxiclean is my main cleaner. I bought a Marilyn Monroe collector doll wearing a white dress that was filthy. I submerged the whole doll, even after a minute soaking the dirt was gone. I turned a filthy doll into $50 profit when it sold. I wish that I had taken a before and after photo. Thanks for sharing. I enjoy the process of cleaning linens and am thrilled when it turns out well. Julie

[@LakesideTreasureswithJoJo]

+Thriftypapergarden Hi Julie!! I remember the Marilyn doll! She turned out great & to make $50 was amazing. I've tried other stain removers but always go back to OxiClean when I can. Cleaning the linens brings me great joy especially when the before & after are so different. Just like your Marilyn doll 😊. Thank you for watching, Enjoy your weekend!

[@livingthegoodlifechannel]

Also just wanted to say: What an AMAZING bedspread!!

[@sianscountrylife4925]

What a thorough video ...I realise it was from quite a while ago ...but thank you ❤

[@johnmcglynn4102]

Thank you. You have a great hobby and the best of everything to you.

[@donahollenbaugh9152]

enjoyed your information on removing age stains,,i also l0ve embrory linens etc. Thank you

[@violetlavender637]

I just found your channel and really enjoyed this video. I also collect vintage linens and use them in my projects. I too appreciate the work that went into making them and the age of them. Your video was helpful as to how you clean your linens. The bedspread is indeed amazingly beautiful. It reminds of a picture on the cover of a vintage magazine I have. I am going to look for it to see if it is the same lady. thanks for posting...all the best. Violet in Canada

[@monicaosterhaus6917]

Thank you for your knowledge in cleaning stained linens. I've been soaking so many items and been so happy with the results🙂

[@loishobbs9938]

I used this system and was amazed at the results. I wish I had taken some before and after pictures. I would have like the temperature of the water in the washing machine. Thank YOu!

[@scotishcovenanters]

This was so pleasant to watch. I liked all of the linens. So very sweet to collect the old pieces. As youi say, someone took much time to make them and she would be glad that you are enjoying them! (Seven days in a row works best with the Oxi-Clean ;-)

[@VintageChrystelle]

JoJo I certainly do miss your videos! I hope you are doing well and having a super summer thrifting and yard saleing! Much hugs!

[@Paula_KentuckyRed]

This is a wonderful video I have several linen pieces embroidered by my Grandmother and Great-Aunt. They are dinghy looking and some have stains. I have never seen the Percil around here but I use oxyclean. I am going to look for the detergent and give it a try. Thank you so much for the instructional video. 🌹

[@plumalynne1399]

Just found your videos. I really enjoy them.

[@AlexandraStubbs]

Thank you for this amazing tutorial! I just bought some vintage linens and there are a few stains on them. And I was desperately wanting to know how to get them out. But not damage the linens and ruin the beautiful designs.

[@LakesideTreasureswithJoJo]

You are very welcome!!!! I hope it helps you!! 🥰🥰🥰

[@livingthegoodlifechannel]

Thanks so much for sharing with us! I got a recipe from a linens dealer at a flea market that I patronize. (Gracious, but you would love that booth!) She uses a mixture of Oxiclean, Biz Bleach and Cascade Dishwashing detergent, but I have wondered over the years if it wasn't too harsh for some of my older pillowcases etc... and causing damage too soon. (Confession: I must have 200. Yikes!)

[@missyp1124]

Hi Jo Jo, I'm going to give this a try, I bought two baskets of antique linens at auction. Hope it works! Thanks.

[@lovemyhomelife2152]

Very helpful video. Thanks so much!

[@LakesideTreasureswithJoJo]

+LoveMyHomeLife 2 I'm so glad that you found this to be helpful! Thank you for taking the time to watch 😊

[@Squabetty]

Very helpful! Thank you for posting! I recently discovered gobs of linnets from my grandmother and great grandmother that all dingy, so I am excited about treating them as you did yours.

[@LakesideTreasureswithJoJo]

You’re welcome!!!! I hope this works for you 😊

[@TamsPlace]

Awesome vid! Thank you for doing a tutorial! I heard the train in the background...I live very close to the tracks myself😊

[@sherrelleinsig9204]

I leaned so much, thank you

[@LakesideTreasureswithJoJo]

Oh I’m so glad! Thank you so much for watching 😊

[@noquiltleftbehind]

Fantastic information. Thanks for sharing.

[@Ginaginashow]

Thanks for the info... I know what I'll be doing for the next few days!

[@livingthegoodlifechannel]

Hi Jo Jo. I am trying to reach out to you to see if you are okay. It's been a year since we heard from you and I know that you had been ill. I am going to say a prayer for you, and hope that you are okay.

[@Gggwoww]

There was a video uploaded by her a week ago! :)

[@dontpayretail_thrift2687]

Thanks so much for sharing, gonna give some a try today, the bedspread and framed one are awesome 😃😃

[@lindahayward2982]

Hello, It would of been nice to see the stains you removed. That said Informative tutorial thank you for your time 🌺

[@luckysweetheartvintage476]

JoJo - thank you so much for suggesting this video....it’s such a trove of great tips. I have a couple of color catchers from a laundromat (they had them kinda hanging out like free candy or something). I’m looking forward to getting a couple of items together for a soak. Btw what gorgeous linens!

[@LakesideTreasureswithJoJo]

Of course!!!! I hope this video helps you out💗💗💗 Color catchers have saved the day many times for me! 😂🤣

[@lisanjohnny1]

I tried spraying resolve carpet cleaner for pet stain remover and it works! No scrubbing necessary

[@GlowByCandlelight]

Wow! Everything looks so clean and crisp. I'm absolutely in love with the framed American linen. It's beautiful!!!! Good call framing it. If I'm ever lucky enough to find one like yours it too will be framed and displayed proudly on my wall. Great video JoJo. Thank you for taking the time to make it for us. ❤ It was very helpful. I'm off to find that detergent. Haha. 😁

[@Tigerroux]

Thanks for the cleaning tips. Love your collection of retro linens - such fun to see all the embroidery from the past. My grandmother made a lot of similar items and I took up the love of hand embroidery too. There’s a charm to these handmade items, and yes, they took time to make. The only other cleaning solution that I know for those really hard stains is a tube of DJ-7. However you have to be careful using it and works best on whites.

[@lindseyjeffries7948]

Thanks so much, JoJo! Very informative video!

[@queeniesnailcourtlong8743]

Thank you for making the video, I thought it was very helpful!

[@ILIKEUALOT]

Beautiful linens, thank you

[@lajunecrockett2381]

I love to collect them to....sometimes if the spot is far away from the design I take the linen and lay it on top of my WASH machine and pour a small drop of Clorox on it and in an Instant it's gone then hurry to the sink to rinse it out

[@wickandde]

Thank you so much for this video, learned so much

[@purpleshoespurp3462]

I love love love that bed cover wanna sell it Lol ? So helpful tfs.

[@cyndiduncan7795]

I kind of like the yellow patina on vintage linens.

[@sandimorreale3685]

Thank you for this video. God blesa

[@craft-o-matic2377]

Thank you for this! Would you use this same technique for cleaning vintage chenille bedspreads? xo Lisa

[@livingthegoodlifechannel]

Hi Jo Jo. Are you okay? I've wondered if you had a relapse since you have been gone for a couple of months.

[@sandimorreale3685]

Did you ever hear from her? This video blessed me. Thanks

[@livingthegoodlifechannel]

@@sandimorreale3685 Hello. She uploaded a video a little over a year ago? Then, nothing. I’ve checked on her Facebook etc... and no activity. I hope that she is okay.

[@katrussell6819]

Machines can damage lace and other fine fabrics so I hand wash them and line dry. Blessings.

[@SunRise-lr7ch]

W I'll this work on 35 year old satin bomber jackets. It's mine..Im just trying to clean the..whatever that dark stiff weird yukk from a box is off.. I won't die if I cant.

[@vintagedazzle]

Wow, so beautiful. I use Clorox spray cleaner with bleach on all-white items, is that just terrible? I don't have your patience.

[@jackiewilson6957]

I have some linen table cloths that have “food stains”. Any specific suggestions on that?

[@sonogramgrl]

What do you do with all of these? I'm just curious. I looked up how to clean antique knitted lace, because I have a piece of lace that has my husband's family name knitted. I don't know how old it is, but it has a pink/red stain, and the whole thing is more of a yellow, than the original white. I hope I can get it near it's original look, so that I can display it with my antique family (amber glass from 1930s) dishes. Thank you for the video

[@sonogramgrl]

Well, I finished the video, and you answered my question, lol. You collect them, because they're beautiful (I agree).

[@ohnoyce]

Cannot find the bleach pens ANYWHERE anymore. 😫

[@cece3194]

Hi I'm just wondering if you can help me. I do crafts and some sewing. I just got a super deal on huge rolls of 4" lace. Most are beautiful colors but one roll is 100 yards of brown lace. I have no use for this much brown. I thought I might be able to lighten it with either bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Any ideas? Thank you.

[@leticiaflowers2335]

So Pretty

[@livingthegoodlifechannel]

Hi Jo Jo. I wanted to check in with you again. Can you let us know if you are okay? I know that you had some serious health issues a while back, and since there hasn't been a posting from you in three months, I'm worried that you are ailing again.

[@leoismydog3091]

Living The Good Life ..I sent her a message on instagram but she hasn't responded :(

[@livingthegoodlifechannel]

Hi Darla. I guess that we can just pray for her until we find out. Thanks for letting me know.

[@bunnyboo786]

Hi! How do you put it in hot/warm water without it bleeding?

[@bunnyboo786]

I guess color catcher prevents bleeding?

[@worksofeagerhands8861]

What do you do with all your linens?

[@riteshmaurya5260]

Where are you and hope you are doing well!!!

[@stardust2415]

Where are You??? :( Hope all is ok with you!

[@leoismydog3091]

Pam Lenon I know I was wondering also