How do I clean vintage linens safely? Which products work best?

Isn't there a special cleaner with a name that starts with the letter "O" that is recommended? I have several old hankerchiefs that I want to sanitize and use as trim on bed linens.

Answers:
I looked it up in my two best resource books, Linda Cobb Talking Dirty with the Queen of Clean and Judith Millers The Care & Repair of Everyday Treasures, the guide to cleaning & restoring your antiques and collectibles. Both suggest using Dreft or Woolite if you use the washing machine. Or simply Ivory dish soap if you hand wash which is what they recommend for fine linens, hankies, tablecloths, etc. If you need to get odors out, add borax which is safe for all fabrics. I used their techniques on fine hankies, aprons, gloves and table linens I inherited from granny and they all can out beautifully. I also say if they have lace around the edges, are embroidered, or embellished better to hand wash, however.

Other answers:
carefuly
carefuly
OXY CLEAN TAKE "EM TO THE CLEANERS
Williams Sonoma has a great detergent for linens. I use it for all my laundry. One capful is all it takes. Nice scent too.
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