Thread: Washing linen strop

I recently picked up a vintage strop, and the linen component is very dirty and greasy. I was wondering if anyone has ever tried to clean one in the washing machine or is this a really bad idea?

I think it would be a bad idea, although I've never tried it. I just use some soap and a big bucket w/a soft brush and rinse thoroughly. YMMV, however.

I've had good luck with Woolite, a bucket of cold water and a nylon bristle brush. Flat air dry on a table. If the linen was a lumpy one with a couple of phone books on top. Phone books are still good for something. If not lumpy just air dry with no weight on top.

I just cleaned one with a soak in Oxyclean rinse and airdry.

I still use Neil Millers advice on my natural linen strops. I lay the strop out flat and use a spray on carpet cleaner and a softer fingernail type brush to brush it all in. Once dry I use my shop vac to vacum both sides several time. Linen comes
out spotless. The only thing I have changed is once the strop is first laid out flat I use a rectangular earth magnet sliding it
all over the strop and it will pick up metal dust.

Originally Posted by lz6

I still use Neil Millers advice on my natural linen strops. I lay the strop out flat and use a spray on carpet cleaner and a softer fingernail type brush to brush it all in. Once dry I use my shop vac to vacum both sides several time. Linen comes
out spotless. The only thing I have changed is once the strop is first laid out flat I use a rectangular earth magnet sliding it
all over the strop and it will pick up metal dust.

Never thought of that. Great idea. Now I will say that the only linens I've washed are from vintage strops that came from the bay. Either because they were really funky, or because of lumps. The magnet is a heck of a good idea too.

Originally Posted by lz6

I still use Neil Millers advice on my natural linen strops. I lay the strop out flat and use a spray on carpet cleaner and a softer fingernail type brush to brush it all in. Once dry I use my shop vac to vacum both sides several time. Linen comes
out spotless. The only thing I have changed is once the strop is first laid out flat I use a rectangular earth magnet sliding it
all over the strop and it will pick up metal dust.

Excellent idea! Thanks to you (and Neil Miller). I'm off to get some carpet cleaner, and will report back on its effectiveness. Thanks also for all the other great ideas.

Question? After washing and drying do you re chalk or re paste your linen strop?

Originally Posted by Johnus

Question? After washing and drying do you re chalk or re paste your linen strop?

I have in the past, I used regular white Chalkboard chalk, and hairspray.. I have also used the Dovo White paste