What Will Remove Age Yellow From Fabric?

From the Laundry Room

• Ordinary laundry detergent and chlorine bleach are time-honored remedies for yellowed fabrics. Fill a 5-gallon bucket or sink with the hottest possible water for the affected fabric, then add ½ cup of liquid detergent and ¼ cup of bleach. Stir the solution until all of the ingredients are thoroughly blended, then add the material. Let the fabric soak overnight, then dump the entire bucket into the washing machine. Select the gentle cycle and wash as usual. To increase the cleaning power of this particular remedy, substitute automatic dishwasher detergent for regular laundry soap; it contains a higher percentage of surfactants and bleaching agents to help remove sutbborn stains. This cleaning method is not recommended for fragile fabrics as it's somewhat harsh.

From the Bathroom

• Other effective bleaching agents are hydrogen peroxide and Vitamin C tablets. Soak the affected fabrics in a solution of 1 part hydrogen peroxide (3 percent) and 8 parts cold water, or create a soaking solution from dissolving 15 to 20 crushed Vitamin C tablets in 2 qts. of lukewarm water. Submerge the fabric in the mixture and allow it to soak for up to eight hours. Rinse and launder as usual.

From the Kitchen

• Lemon juice is a natural bleach that can be used to whiten fabrics. Stir ½ cup of lemon juice into 1 gallon of hot water, then pour the solution over the material. Allow the fabric to soak for at least 30 minutes, then rinse and dry flat. You can substitute distilled white vinegar for lemon juice with similar results. While these remedies are safe for use on most fabrics, they should not be used on silks, as the acids in the compounds can damage the delicate fibers.

Considerations

• Fabrics that have been yellowed by time and age should be handled carefully. For the best results, hand-wash all items in mild detergent or baby shampoo. Squeeze excess water from the material without wringing or twisting. Line-dry all items or lay them flat. Don't put yellowed fabrics in an automatic dryer, as the heat can cause the color to set, making it even more difficult to remove.