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White Marks On Tan Linen

Pre-washed some French linen fabric, and after ironing and allowing it to air dry noticed light white lines in some areas. My first instinct was soap residue, so re-rinsed the item again several times and the water was clear as it was after the first laundering (used several rinses then, and the water was also clear when done).

Contacted the store where I purchased the material and they said I must have done something "wrong", or perhaps it is just a natural flaw with the material. Can't think of what since I've been washing and ironing linen for more years than I care to remember. Did not use starch, ironed on the wrong side, did not use any bleaching agents or brighteners.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Candide

Reply to
Candide
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Could it be where it was folded, like sun streaked/hem line white? Just some thoughts FWIW. Michelle Italy

Reply to
Atom1

Strange you say this, since many of the lines follow a pattern of wrinkles; that is they look like the natural wrinkles and such linen has after laundering.

Candide

allowing it

brighteners.

Reply to
Candide

Could this be a "pigment dyed" piece that has abraded the dye from the wrinkles during drying?

At this point, I'd go ahead and wash and dry it again... see what happens. If you get a new set of wrinkles and white lines, the greater complexity of the pattern may be interesting.

I might also cut a swatch and try overdying in a low water immersion technique, sort of like Ann Johnston uses in "Color by accident". Several layers of overdyeing generally look better (more complex, less splotchy) than one.

Reply to
Kay Lancaster

Think this is natural French linen. The color is a tanish/kakhai colour, sort of a dark oyster. Certinanly do dye came out in the wash water, nor on the bed sheet laundered with in to "balance" the load in our front loader washer.

complexity

Well I've laundered it several times, the last few with only water and water softener to release any residue left over from previous laundering, or soap scum. Someone suggested soaking the linen in water to which one cup of white vinegar per gallon of water was added.

Some of the lines are fainter, but still visable under bright lights. Strange thing is the lines are on both sides of the cloth too. Going to contact the vendor tomorrow and see what they have to say.

I'm wondering if some how the heat of the press iron damaged the linen somehow?

splotchy)

Thank you for the tip, but really curious to find out what the problem is with this piece in case it was something *I* did, so not ever to repeat the mistake.

Candide

Reply to
Candide

I doubt it, unless the iron was glowing red! Linen of this weight will take a very hot iron - the hottest setting.

Reply to
Kate Dicey

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