Need Rust Stains Out of Baptismal Gown

Whink-Rust Stain Remover
I use it on close all the time
It works like magic.
M.
Aqua~Fit
Swim & Wellness Center
aquafitplano.com
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Hi J.,
If you don't want to use the dry cleaner, I would suggest Shaklee's Get Clean products. They are safe, nontoxic and work very well. Specifically the Liquid L and Nature Bright. You may have to soak it in Nature Bright for a little while then wash it with the Liquid L.
You can find these products and read more about them at http:/www.shaklee.net/healthforlife
Good luck,
Victoria

Here are a couple of ideas. The first is an excerpt from Martha Pullen's website (marthapullen.com). This is what she uses on her extensive collection of antique garments. The second idea is from http://fairychildheirlooms.wordpress.com/stain-removal/
Good Luck!

1.(Martha speaking)-I always use a plastic mop bucket of water and one half cup of Biz. I soak it for about 2 or 3 hours at first. Then rinse very carefully over and over again with the garment in the sink just running water through it. If the garment is in wonderful condition I put it in either a zip up sweater washing bag or put it in a cotton pillowcase and safety pin the top closed and then wash it on hand wash in the washing machine.

Now, Plan B is that if the garment has horrid rust stains or is filthy, I leave it in the Biz bucket for several days, changing the water and Biz each day. I might add that some museum curators do not whiten anything but rather just preserve garments by washing them in a very mild detergent just to get out the dirt and dust. I was in a museum in Scotland and saw, much to my horror, not only dingy white dresses displayed but they had also not been ironed. (Ironing adds years to any garment with the heat of the iron.) HOWEVER, I do not like dirty antique clothes and I do not own any museum pieces. I want to enjoy my things and I can’t enjoy them dirty, stained and certainly not ironed. I have washed every cotton piece that I own in the Biz bucket to whiten and then washed with Ivory Snow to finish. I have not soaked silk antique garments in the Biz bucket because silk is so fragile.

Now, let me address cleaning a totally fragile and/or torn up antique cotton garment. I would not soak something totally fragile and already torn somewhat in the Biz bucket. In those cases I simply place the garment in a sink, let it soak in Ivory Snow flakes, then rinse never picking up the wet garment from the sink. First place a towel in the sink before washing and rinsing. Then when you pick up the dress you will put no pressure on the dress since you will lift the towel which is underneath. Let the dress dry flat, then store, wrapped in acid free tissue paper in a drawer or on a shelf in heated and air conditioned areas. If you are storing any antique garment or lace, do not starch or iron them before storing them.

If you have a museum quality piece it is always good to check with a museum curator for their suggestions and possibly hire them to clean and/or repair the piece. I have cleaned all of my things myself but recently I advised a friend to hire a specialist in Victorian clothing to repair and clean a dress because it had historical value because of the individual who was married in the dress.)

2. I got these stain removal hints from three different Martha Pullen (Sew Beautiful Magazine) email newsletters. I found that I personally like this formula:

HOT WATER (enough to fill a big, clear plastic tub) , equal parts(about a cup of each) BIZ and the blue DAWN LIQUID DISH DETERGENT.

I throw all the stained clothes into the tub of hot water ( make sure the clothes are all the same color, don’t mix colors and whites) and let it sit for a couple days. if the stains are still there, I leave them in the water up to a week. then I dump the entire tub of clothes and soapy water into the washer. If there’s still stains, I repeat the process. (THIS FORMULA IS VERY SLIMY SO WEAR GLOVES)

I have used this method on yellowed heirloom pieces, and the heirloom clothes that I make. the only difference is that after I soak the item, I rinse it well and then I lay the item on a big towel, roll it up like a long snake, and then wring the excess water out. I hang it to dry.

Oh! and I just want to add that I accidentally washed an off-white piece of fabric with some red which turned it pink (ugh) and after soaking it in biz and hot water for a couple of days, it’s as good as new! The fabric was still wet from the washer when I started soaking it, and I agitated it and rinsed it out a couple of times and changed the water at least 2 or 3 times. To any of you who aren’t sure about it, all I can say is it’s worth a try, the fabric/clothes are ruined anyway so why not try it out!

Hi J.,

I would take the gown to an antique dealer in your area and ask their opinion. They are experienced at cleaning old things with safe products.

Good luck!
M.

My first instint was to tell you to use wink, (found at grocery stores) but since it is from the 1800's, I would take it to a specialty cleaners.

Yes try Whink. Its awesome. The only place I can find it is Walmart. Good luck

The Texas Women's University in Denton has a museum of restored gove first Lady gowns I would call the campus at ###-###-#### The gowns have been repaired and they document every kind of thread and stitch used. Keep calling to get the righ department Good Luck. My friend found her grandma's wedding gown and called them for cleaning. G. W

find someone who specializes in that type of cleaning, calling the museum is a great idea, I used to know someone at my College that would know but she isn't there anymore, but if you can't get answers at the museum then I would call the Art Institute and see if they have a Textiles teacher that might be versed in that. if you don't get answers from them let me know and I'll try and get you in touch with a friend of mine that is a specialist in clothing from the civil war era...

I had my Grandmothers wedding gown (late 1920's) and I was going to clean it, and if I remember correctly I was told to use Ivory snow laundry detergent on it.

I use "Whink Rust Off" (it is in a brown bottle) to get rust off of things. Wear gloves it is STRONG. Put a little on a q-tip and dab the rust spot. Takes rust away instantly. THen hand wash.

Good Luck!