One of the most comprehensive and informative workshops held at our Triennial in Indianapolis was conducted by Alice Scarbrough from the Diocese of Texas. All aspects of linen construction and maintenance were covered. Alice emphasized that this meant stewardship — constructing, taking care and extending the life of our linens was another form of stewardship within our worship experience. If you have a chance to participate in a workshop held by Alice, I highly recommend that you do so. Her amazingly wide range of knowledge concerning altar linens is not to be missed. Workshops such as this show us why attending future Triennial NAGA meetings has great value.
Here are a few invaluable tips from the workshop.
Alice’s Stain Removal Tips
• It is important to remove any stain as soon as possible.
• Grease stains -— It is best to use a dry process.
o Use talcum powder, pharmaceutical talc, white tailor’s chalk, or Fuller’s Earth
o Use white blotting paper, place paper down first, sprinkle with powder, put fabric next powder, next sprinkle the fabric with a small amount of powder and top with white blotting paper. Let this stand for several hours, then iron. Wash after this process.
• Wine and fruit stains — Rub the stain with ice cubes and blot as quickly as possible.
o Spot clean with Orvus and distilled water solution, then the wash item.
o Rub the stain with a damp piece of Ivory soap and allow to stand for several hours. Rinse well and wash.
o Rinse a red wine stain with white wine.
• Tea and coffee stains — Wash in soap and water or use Shout, Oxiclean, or Arm & Hammer
• Ink — Soak the stain in warm milk or lemon juice and salt.
• Wax — Iron with fabric sandwiched between two layers of white blotting paper.
• Blood — Use the saliva from the person who’s blood it is or use dog’s saliva. Another person’s salvia will not work.
• Stubborn stains (age spots and rust) — Soak in solution of white toothpaste and distilled water. Rub in with a soft brush. Allow to dry and rinse. Reapply if needed. Some stains need many applications to work.
• Lipstick — Use the grease process or use Zout.
• Clorox — Do not use. This breaks down and weakens the fibers in the fabric.
General Laundry
• White linens — Hand wash in cool or room temperature water using a mild soap (Ivory or lanolin). If heavily soiled use Orvus or OxiClean and distilled water.
• Silk — Dry clean or use vinegar and distilled water. If using vinegar and distilled water, test for color fasting first.
• Rinsing — If white vinegar is added to the rinse water it will give sheen to the embroidery.
• Drying — flat dry whenever possible. Hang item if it is too large. Do not put in dryer because of heat.
• Starching — Do not starch ecclesiastical items
• Ironing — Iron from the center out, upside down, being careful around the corners of embroidery. Do not steam in order to avoid rust spots. Use a covered plywood board for the ironing of fair linens. Iron as little as possible in order to extend the life of our linens.
Workshop reviewed by JoAnn Ziller