How do you clean wool?

[Bayliss]

I may be in trouble for posting this but I am in need of accurate advise/help. I own an 1925 vintage car which I am conserving rather than wholesale restoration. This vehicle has an gorgeous burgundy 'West of England' 100% wool headlining. It is in good condition and original, other than general age grubbiness and an few water stains it is like new if that makes sense. How best to go about cleaning this lovely old material please? Sorry if this offends anyone being its not period house.

 

[Penners]

Presumably the headlining is stretched tight, with some wire formers holding it in shape? Is that roughly right?

Have you tried anything yet? If not, I think I would start by simply wiping it carefully with a clean cloth dipped in a bowl of warm, soapy water. Obviously you'll have to get it wet enough to try and wash out the dirt, but I would keep a supply of old, clean towels, and try to dry it as much as possible immediately after the wetting treatment.

But for goodness' sake don't take that as any kind of expert or even experienced view. It may be completely wrong. It's just what I would try.

 

[Moo]

If, as Penners suggests, the woollen lining is stretched tight over wires, would it be possible to remove it? It would certainly make cleaning much easier, though either way you would have to be very careful not to wet or scrub it too enthusiastically. The last thing you want is shrinkage.

 

[Gervase]

I know from a friend's long-running Alvis restoration project that headlinings are a nightmare and, however tempting, should never be removed except as a last resort as you'll never get them back looking remotely as they should.
I'd suggest a soft sponge or cotton-wool pad dampened with a little spirit vinegar (or lemon juice and salt) diluted with distilled water and very gently applied, followed by a similar gentle swab with dilute Bicarbonate of Soda solution is all you really dare risk. And the older the stain, the harder it is to remove. If it's old wool, be careful - water will weaken the fibres, so don't saturate them.

 

[yamin]

On the bicarb of soda line, I wonder if a first try might be to scatter Bicarb of soda liberally over the fabric, then hoover away after 15 mins or so? Might be worth a first try?

 

[AMc]

On the bicarb of soda line, I wonder if a first try might be to scatter Bicarb of soda liberally over the fabric, then hoover away after 15 mins or so? Might be worth a first try?

I'm not sure how you'd do that without turning the car over? I certainly wouldn't remove the original liner to try and clean it - as others have said you'll never get it back properly and if you're not aiming for concourse condition then some marking is to be expected in a car that's 85 years old.

 

[philpjuk100]

I remember a publican cleaning his snooker table with a piece of white bread! it seemed to work well on stains the bread soon becoming grubby,never tried it myself but worth a try if you have a bit hidden from view. phil. he always finished his table with a fine brush and then vacumed it (misspent youth!)

 

[philpjuk100]

how about ebay item 390175648860 !

 

[Bayliss]

Thank you for all the comments and suggestions, I received more replies here than all of the car forums put together! I will be leaving the headliner in place as others mention the nightmares of removal. I am investigating the suggestion of the snooker table cleaner, looks promising. I have also been advised of an product called Pancrasol, it is not available here unfortunately but I have friends in France where the product is made and they are investigating the product for me. The last thing I want to do is spoil what I have and so whatever I try its going to be an small corner area first. Thanks again and I will post results in due course.

 

[Moo]

And before-and-after pictures, too. On PPUK they're compulsory.

 

[LadyArowana]

This is probably a question best answered by a textile conservator, it might be worth asking at one of the auction houses if they have someone that they could recommend one who would be willing to do a short e.mail or telephone consultation for a small fee. I think one of the conflicts that you will have is that the techniques that would be good for cleaning the wool, a dilute solution of something like woolite, lots of clean water and lots and lots of cotton buds, will not be good for the wire frame, which might rust and leach unsightly stains through to the cloth. Good luck with the project, and do post some pictures.

 

[Bayliss]

I will do some pics as soon as possible.

 

[Flyfisher]

I don't mean to belittle the collective wisdom of PPUKers, but might not a vintage car forum be a better source of experienced information about this particular question? I'd still love to see some photos though.

 

[Bayliss]

I don't mean to belittle the collective wisdom of PPUKers, but might not a vintage car forum be a better source of experienced information about this particular question? I'd still love to see some photos though.

I did ponder for an while before posting and made an appropriate statement regarding the inclusion of my question on this forum. On balance I thought along the lines that the members here may well have knowledge of vintage fabric items and care thereof. I have already tried all the vintage car forums with the question prior to posting here, desperation coupled with confidence I guess. No offence to anyone here with my off topic question and I assume the moderator would have removed the question if it was to far away., I hope the answers may help others with 'fabric worries' Thank you to all who have responded, now back to vintage homes

 

[Flyfisher]

Actually, I've just noticed that you'd already said that you'd tried car forums, so my apologies for an unnecessary suggestion.

But no need to be apologetic for posting the question - it's a item of 'period property' after all. :wink:

PS: we're still hoping for a photo . . .

 

[JoceAndChris]

Don't worry Bayliss! No crime at all!

 

[Penners]

On the bicarb of soda line, I wonder if a first try might be to scatter Bicarb of soda liberally over the fabric, then hoover away after 15 mins or so? Might be worth a first try?

I'm not sure how you'd do that without turning the car over?

:lol: :lol:

 

[JohnB]

If the car in question was a Morris Traveller, it would be perfectly appropriate to discuss it here. Many years ago I remember seeing a program on the telly where Dame Edna Everage was visiting Stratford upon Avon, and looking at the timber framed houses. Then she spotted a "half-timbered car" .

 

[Bayliss]

Thanks Flyfisher, I will ask my Son to post up some pics next weekend, I am an hopeless techie numpty.

 

[Flyfisher]

Then she spotted a "half-timbered car" .

An old colleague had a Morris Traveller that, sadly, was scrapped after failing its MOT test due to rotten timbers. Apparently, they are structural components. Good job they don't do that sort of thing with old houses!