Cover the kitchen or bathroom sink with a towel. Fill the sink with lukewarm water, approximately 115 degrees Fahrenheit, and add 1 tsp. of liquid detergent. Mix the detergent gently in the water without agitating it.
Place the vintage lace into the water on top of the towel and allow it to soak for at least one hour.
Rinse the vintage lace by running lukewarm, clear tap water over it with the sink drain open. Remove the lace after the water runs completely clear. All soil must be completely removed before the bleaching the lace.
Bleach the vintage lace with sodium perborate bleach, according to the instructions on the container. Sodium perborate is available in retail stores.
Drain the sink completely and gently wring out the lace. Place the linen on a clean, dry and absorbent towel.
Sponge the lace gently and when it is no longer dripping with water, lay it out on a dry sheet on a flat surface in sunlight.
Shape the lace carefully into its original shape. Make certain to weight the sheet and lace with heavy drinking glasses to prevent them from blowing in the wind.