I have a 4'x6' hand-crocheted tablecloth that has set in coffee stains (from many years ago). Is there any way I can remove the stains safely without damaging the crochet? I have washed it in bleach but the stains did not even lighten. Thanks for any advice you can give.
Try Fels Naphtha Heavy Duty Laundry Bar Soap found in the laundry section of almost any store. This is a bar soap you wet and rub into the stain. I have used this to remove set in blood stains and it removed it with no problem at all.
If all else fails, think about dyeing your tablecloth in your washing machine. I had an ivory crocheted tablecloth that I dyed a pearl grey. Tan or Grey should cover your stain or at least make it less obvious.
I have removed old horrendous stains by using 1 cup of powdered "Biz" and 1 cup of "Clorox II" powdered bleach in a bucket of hot water. Stir until the powders dissolve. Add your stained items right away or wait until the mixture cools. I let one item soak for 5 days and the stain ( baby formula from 30+ years ago!!) finally came out!
Try some SHOUT either is stick or liquid, let set overnight, if that doesn't work why not soak the tablecloth in coffee and change the color? I bet it would be pretty, I can't guarantee it would work but if it was mine I would try it. Perhaps a dry cleaner could give you some advice.
Thank you for all the great tips. I thought about tea-dying (or coffee dying) it after seeing a tip here which is likely what I will end up doing. I had forgotten about Fels Naptha - I used to use it about 25 years ago and it worked great. I'll try that again as well as the biz and clorox II. I'll post later on the results I get. Thanks again!
I've had great success using OxyClean. Also, try using Borax and your regular laundry detergent. These products helped keep my baby's clothes in perfect condition with no visible stains.
If the tablecloth is white, you may want to try "bluing". It's a liquid that mixes into the wash water, but doesn't damage like bleach would.
i have a vintage little tableclothe with yello stain tried clorox didnt work tried wash soap didnt work I had a lime squeezed it on stain let sit ten /twenty minutes in the sun and wala stain gone
