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How can you safely remove "foxing" from antique cotton fabric?
"Foxing" is the pattern of tiny, rust-colored spots scattered across old fabric, and while the cause is not completely clear, it is linked to the oxidation of the byproducts of mold or bugs.
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Often what we think of as blood stains or rust stains are actually what is left of a dead bug. These stains are nearly impossible to remove. Many quilts folded and stored for years will have brown stains that often look like furniture polish, blood or rust but are actually caused by dye migration. Changes in temperatures can cause this to happen and most stains caused by dye migration cannot be removed because the dye has permanently stained adjoining fabrics. You can do more damage trying to remove dye migration.
Oxidative bleaching with hydrogen peroxide may reduce the color but will further weaken the cloth.
The portion of the textile that is obscured by mildew is weaker than the unaffected areas. Chemical treatment ("wet-side spotting") may be deleterious to the fabric, to the dyestuff, and/or to the finish. If the growth has damaged enough fiber surface, removing the growth will reveal a perceptively damaged--and perhaps discolored area. Radical treatment may only abrade this surface more; washing and agitation may increase the likelihood of rips, tears, and holes.
Oxidative bleaching with hydrogen peroxide may reduce the color but will further weaken the cloth.
The portion of the textile that is obscured by mildew is weaker than the unaffected areas. Chemical treatment ("wet-side spotting") may be deleterious to the fabric, to the dyestuff, and/or to the finish. If the growth has damaged enough fiber surface, removing the growth will reveal a perceptively damaged--and perhaps discolored area. Radical treatment may only abrade this surface more; washing and agitation may increase the likelihood of rips, tears, and holes.
Try Oxiclean. I sometimes work with old lace and linens and I've found it very helpful for removing age and storage stains. Use the laundry additive and just follow the package directions, although if your fabric is very delicate you'll want to carefully monitor the time you soak it. I would try one application, maybe a second if the first doesn't do what you need. If two applications don't work, that will have to be that. Repeated use on natural fabric can cause tiny holes in the fabric. I learned this the hard way!
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