Cleaning an old veil

Philippa36

Does anyone know the best way to clean a rather yellow looking old tulle veil. My cousin has loaned me her veil and its obviously not been kept out of the light as its yellowed slightly. I'd love to wear it as its just the right length and style I was looking for but don't want to damage it.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

honeypop

From what I have read before, a 'yellowed' veil can't normally be cleaned as it isn't dirty, it's that the fibres have been damaged and deteriorated by sunlight and oxidisation (exposure to the air). If it's all over, the chances are it's not actual dirt.

There are specialist companies who can try and restore old veils, for approx £100, eg: http://www.honitonlace.com/honitonlace/veils/index.htm carry out cleaning and restoration.

If you wanted to have a go at it yourself, beware that it might not turn out right and the veil might not be in usable condition afterwards, but I found these two methods on websites:

1) Put the veil in a solution of white soap, and let it simmer a quarter of an hour. Squeeze it in some water and soap till quite clean. Rinse it from soap, and then in clean cold water, in which is a drop of liquid blue. Then pour boiling water upon a teaspoonful of starch, run the veil through this, and clear it well, by clapping it. Afterwards pin it out, keeping the edges straight and even.

2) Things You’ll Need:
Oxygen cleanser
Fabric wash
Towel
Step 1:
Take the veil to a professional cleaner if it is an antique or you aren't sure that it is washable.
Step 2:
Proceed with cleaning your wedding veil if you are confident it is safe to do so. Fill a tub, basin or sink with lukewarm water. Add a small amount of oxygen cleanser and a small amount of gentle fabric wash.
Step 3:
Let the veil soak in the mixture for a few minutes. While it soaks, move it around a few times to let the cleansers penetrate the fabric.
Step 4:
Clean the veil with your hands very gently. Swish it around in the water in the same way a washing machine agitates clothing. You can also squeeze it a bit to dislodge some of the soil.
Step 5:
Run the veil under cold water to remove the dirt and cleaning solutions. Swish it in another tub of clean cold water. If there is still cleaning solution in the fabric, you will be able to see it in the water. If you still see some cleansers coming from the veil, repeat the rinsing process until it is all gone.
Step 6:
Repeat Steps 2 through 5 if there is still some soil or discoloration in your wedding veil.
Step 7:
Lay the veil on a clean dry towel and fold the towel. Press gently to get the water out of the garment. Drape the veil over a curtain or shower rod, clothes hanger or a skirt hanger. It needs plenty of free-flowing air to dry properly.

Seahorse_Princess

I brightened up my veil by using the stuff thats for whitening lingerie you could try that. I got my veil from a charity shop so i dont know how old it was or where it had been kept and the stuff worked a treat.

Philippa36

I might just try hand washing it in a little net curtain brightener. I just didn't want to rush in there seeing as its not mine!

I bought 2 others from Ebay but neither of them are quite right - maybe I should practise with them first :rotfl: