How to clean vintage handkerchiefs
There’s a romance about the handkerchief because it embraces the etiquette of it. A handkerchief is Victorian.
A girl may take her kerchief off her throat and wave it at an incoming guest. She might lightly toss a signal with it at departing friends. She might have waved it from a departing boat at on watchers. She might have worn it purely for fashions and good taste tucked daintily into the sleeve of her dress or gown.
A parlor handkerchief wasn’t a utility item. It was an ornament.
The treatment of the little lacy square was important. Handling the kerchief well was a triumph of culture and good breeding. It was a lady’s most treasured bit of bric-a-brac.
Handkerchief etiquette
Don’t
- tuck the handkerchief in the front of a dress.
- put it in your mouth.
- bite or tear it.
- rub your forehead with it.
- wipe your hands with it.
- blow your nose with it.
- flirt with it.
- wind it between your fingers.
- lie it down on a table or chair.
Do
- sniff it for its sweetness.
- delicately touch the lips with its lacy edge.
- dry a tear drop.
- design it to match the embellishments of the garment worn.
- rest it on the lap.
A delicate little thing of white linen with lace around its edges was the one handkerchief desired above all others. Small embroideries okay, of course.
Caring for and cleaning
little piles of handkerchiefs by hands ensured the little treasures were as fresh as from shelves of a shop and smelled of fields of violets.
- Never allow vintage handkerchiefs to become overly soiled.
- After using a vintage handkerchief store it immediately.
- Soak the handkerchiefs in a bowl filled with cold water and mild soap suds for 30 minutes.
- Rinse the handkerchiefs in cold water.
Now for the washing
- Place the handkerchiefs in a basin (or bowl) of hot water.
- Dissolve a spoonful of borax in hot water and add to the basin (or bowl).
- Lightly pat and rub the handkerchiefs gently until they are clean.
- Rinse the newly cleaned handkerchiefs in cool water until all traces of borax and soap are gone.
The whitening process
- To a bowl of milk add 2 drops of violet. Violet serves as a natural bluing agent.
- Place the handkerchiefs into the bowl of milk.
- Allow the handkerchiefs to soap for 5 minutes or so.
- Partially dry each handkerchief by patting it between the folds of a thick white towel.
- Finish drying the handkerchiefs by lightly ironing on a very low setting.
Notes
- Do not use starch. The milk serves as a natural starch.
- Place a piece of heavy flannel over the ironing board prior to ironing.
- Fold the handkerchiefs and store after washing and drying.
How to make a handkerchief apron
A handkerchief sewing aprons is made by gathering a large handkerchiefs to a waist band. Turn up the bottom and stitch down to form three pockets for thread, scissor, etc.
