can you bleach vtg bras?

zannew

zannew

Registered Guest
Hi,

I purchased a corset bra at an estate sale. It's a Maidenform "Much Ado" bra and has garters attached. There is some yellowing on the cotton fabric. I would like to bleach it but am afraid of damaging the elastic? Will it weaken it or make it get yellow?

Thanks!
 
I wouldn't bleach it, I don't think. I'd be worried about weakening the elastic and/or the fabric. Perhaps a weak solution of blueing? Or, Biz--which I don't think is as toxic as bleach. Or, there's a powdered mix for antique & vintage fabrics called retro clean. I have some, but haven't tried it yet. You can buy it at www.retroclean.com. I've heard from others that it does a great job.
 
I wouldn't bleach, but then I never bleach vintage fabrics. I would soak in Napisan Oxywash, it's probably called something different there, it's an oxygen cleaner. I wouldn't leave it for long though.

Nicole
 
On many fabrics - and I'd check this case by case - soaking in a lemon juice, water mixture and putting in the sun works nicely.
 
Oh yes, I remember now that my mother used lemon juice and water mixed with sunlight to whiten an antique christening gown of my grandfather's, Thank you - I shall give that a try tomorrow - supposed to be sunny and warm here!
 
Another good and gentle product for whitening is Bicarbonate of Soda (I think it's just called Baking Soda in some countries?). You can either make a solution of it for soaking, or make a paste with a little water and apply it to badly yellowed areas (I've used that technique successfully on antique cotton night dresses for the yellowed collars and cuffs), then leave it for a few hours and rinse off.

And yes, sunlight is also great.

Ruth
 
I had an old, old white cotton dress that had been in storage for eons. A mess. I soaked it in a lemon juice mixture and then let it dry in the sun TWICE and it was gorgeous after all that. My husband couldn't believe it was the same "ugly thing from that yard sale." ha ha
 
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