Did you see my post about cleaning the old linen/crewel panel?
In case it should be of interest, this is the original post:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10261435
Now to tell you what I did, with great success.
I bought a jar of generic Oxyclean at Dollar Tree.
Dissolved about 1/3 cup in hot water.
Filled the bathtub about 3 inches of cold water and added the dissolved cleaner. Swished it around, added panel so that the whole thing was under the cold water.
Let it soak for about 3 hours.
Let the grungy water out and rolled the panel under cold water as it was draining. No twist or wringing.
I did this 4 times. Long soak! Each time the water looked a little better.
Final soak overnight, rinsed again several times in the AM and then hung the panel in the sun to dry.
Amazing difference. The linen backing is still a little off color but the crewel work looks like new. No damage to anything
The green backing is bright, no signs of any damage at all. I'm sure that if this was done with any twisting or wringing, the job would be a disaster but just:
Soak and roll, rinse, soak and roll---until the water looks clear-or reasonable so.
I am pleased. The hanging looks great, I can't believe the colors. They were not this bright when I bought this panel at least 40 years ado. I know it dates to the late 1800's. What a rejuvenation.
A caution. This may not work for you so be careful if you try it. I did not use any soap, just the generic Oxyclean and a lot of soaking and rinse water.
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