Replies

1. 
   Sarah_Kayla | Oct 19, 1999 02:36am | #1

   *
   try a borax/water solution - dissolve some borax - a 1/2 cup
   or so in hot water -about a quart. When it is cool add this solution
   to a gallon or so of water. Soak the
   gown - sometimes it needs a day or more. Hand wash in clear
   water with a mild soap. Rinse well. Roll up in towels to
   absorb most of the water & hang or lay flat to dry. I have
   used this method with very old linens (well over 50 years
   old) - with a fair amount of success.

   I don't know about doing this with synthetic fabrics but
   this works well on cotton and on linen.

   have fun!

1. 
   Betty_Kershner | Oct 19, 1999 07:20am | #2

   *You may damage the taffeta, if its acetate, if you soak it in water.

1. 
   Marion_E._Ruppel | Nov 16, 1999 07:43pm | #3

   *This may sound offbeat but when I get doll dresses that are stained or yellowed, I put them in a mason Jar with an efferdent tablet that has been dissolved and shake them up for a day or two. Most stains come out. The acetate may cause a problem. Most old doll clothes were cotton or linen batiste. even the trims were cotton.

1. 
   Bill_Stewart | Nov 17, 1999 12:38pm | #4

   *Michelle, the greatest danger in washing taffeta is the shrinkage which cannot be undone. If the gown is too big for the baby it won't matter. BUT if it is the right size now it will shrink and be too small. Try to locate a dry cleaner who is experienced in restoring yellowed clothes. It is a form of bleaching and you may have to agree to not hold them responsible for what may happen. Besides the borax, the more usual method of whitening is to use 1 tbsp NON SOAPY ammonia in a gallon of plain warm water. agitate well to mix. soak garment. towel dry, air dry, press. If the thought of ammonia is daunting, you can also use the same formula, but with plain old Hydrogen Peroxide. Hope this helps, Bill.