19th C.? Oh, not even amusing! Are you teasing me, Susan? Has anyone counted how many times I have warned about using old cleaning methods from old print sources on old laces? There are even horrible instructions that involve boiling lace. The soaps were harsh, and harmful residue remained in the fibers. Distilled or de-ionized water was not used, and we know that tap water was quite ugly. My grandmother used to boil all water that would be used for cooking or consumption, but even that would not counteract dangers in water delivered via old pipes - remember the documented cause of illness and death of some British monarchs - from lead! All the old washing recipes were before anyone knew the terrible long-term effects, and before professional lace conservators existed.. Please, let us not even plant old instructions in today's over-stimulated brains. Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace and Embroidery Resource Center ------------------------ In a message dated 9/19/2012 2:51:57 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [email protected] writes:
Hello All! Just as a reminder--& for our esteemed Jeri--I recall seeing a recipe in a vintage publication that called for using gin to clean lace! If I ever find that citation again--Digital Archives ??--I will share. <G> With apologies to Orvus, Sincerely, Susan Hottle, Erie, PA USA - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003/albums/most-recent
