Cleaning Lace
For Delicate or Vintage Lace:
Soak each piece for several hours in cold water. Then hand wash with mild detergent such as Woolite. Do not scrub. Lay flat to dry. Do not wring. If ironing is needed, lay down a thick towel and put a press cloth over it to prevent snagging and tearing.
For Light or Heavy Lace:
Check tag for instructions or dry clean only. If machine washable, put each piece in a mesh garment bag. Sort loads by color, material and quality. Use gentle/delicate/knit cycle and cold water. Let machine fill halfway and add mild detergent such as Woolite. Add lace in garment bags and finish cycle. To dry, leave in garment bags, and use air dry for light pieces and low for heavier. If ironing is needed, lay down a thick towel and put a press cloth over it to prevent snagging and tearing.
Storing Lace
To store lace, wrap pieces in acid-free materials such as cotton, unbleached muslin or archival paper. Then store in acid-free/archival boxes, available in cardboard or plastic.
Top Tips
1) Read any tags or instructions
2) No really, read the tag
3) Take extra care not to snag or pull the threads
4) Delicate or Vintage lace should only be hand washed or dry cleaned
5) Use only cold water and mild detergent
