Česky (CZK)Lace care
You need to wash a hand-wound lace collar and bed linen with machine-wound lace. Can you put everything in the washing machine? Is there a difference? Of course there is. Each material and design has its own needs. And in order to keep clothes and home textiles in good condition, we must first find out what material the lace is made of and what the recommended symbols for maintenance and care of textiles mean.
We should take the time and care of delicate laces, which we care about very much, and wash them gently by hand. This is the only way to ensure their shape and color stability as much as possible. We recommend using traditional natural bile soaps, gentle ecological detergents and starches.
If we wash lace in the washing machine, use a short program for delicates and a protective net, do not mix different colors together and do not fill the washing machine full so that the lace does not wrinkle so much. Follow the care symbols from the manufacturer, who recommends appropriate maintenance for a specific product. In short, a delicate hand-rolled collar definitely does not belong in the washing machine, while cotton or linen bed linen and tablecloths decorated with machine-rolled lace can be washed in the washing machine without any worries, as long as we follow certain rules, temperatures, etc.
Washing
Although natural materials can withstand high temperatures, we recommend washing at 30–40 °C. It is better not to wring the lace at all or set it to the lowest spin speed.
Drying
It is ideal to dry lace in the fresh air, hanging it or spreading it out and shaping it into the desired shape on a mat. We do not recommend dryers, as the fabrics wear out and shrink more in them.
Ironing
We iron slightly and carefully the lace while it is still slightly damp, so as not to damage the lace pattern with the tip of the iron. We can use the experience of our grandmothers, who ironed delicate textiles over a clean, damp cloth, such as a handkerchief or towel. Cotton and linen lace do not mind higher temperatures, but be careful with synthetic materials (PES, acrylic), which can be irreversibly deformed and burned by an iron that is too hot.
TIPS:
First washing of linen.
You can soak linen lace in lukewarm water with a little vinegar before the first wash. The vinegar will fix the color shade and the colored lace will not fade as much.
Linen is initially stiffer, but it will soften over time and become more and more pliable and pleasant to wash. Do not add fabric softener to the rinse, linen has its own characteristic natural scent. We do not bleach or starch linen lace.
What about stains?
If there are stains on the lace, it is best to remove them immediately or before washing. A layer of salt and lemon is the first aid for red wine stains, and warm milk is used to clean dried stains. Lemon juice and warm milk can also be used for tea stains. Milk even works for accidents with chocolate and cocoa. But the sooner we clean the stains, the better.
Chances for faded and vintage lace
Pour about 3 liters of water into a suitable container and add 2 magnesium tablets (magnesium from a pharmacy or grocery store), immerse the lace for about 10 minutes, then rinse it in clean water and let it dry. This procedure should extend the life of older and more tired lace. If you have a truly antique lace at home, we recommend maximum caution. Such a treasure is cleaned with a solution of sodium lauryl sulfate (4 liters of hot water + 1 teaspoon of this substance with a neutral pH). Let the lace soak without moving for about an hour, rinse it with great care with warm water and repeat the process until the bath is clean. Dry the lace spread out in the air.
ADVICE FROM OUR GRANDMOTHERS:
Are you afraid to wash very delicate lace?
Place it between two clean damp towels and iron it.
This will remove the dirt.
Black lace is no longer black?
Wash it in sweetened black coffee.
To keep white white…
After washing, bathe white lace in milk and iron it while still damp. It will be beautifully white and firm.
Flour instead of washing?
You can also try cleaning fragile lace with flour. Sprinkle them a few times and carefully dust them, turning them in a bowl of flour, which will collect dust and dirt.
