How to Clean Linens, Fabrics,etc.

This is going to be lengthy, because I am going to copy exactly what the article said. It was dated 9/11/1994.
CLEANING, STORING FAMILY HEIRLOOMS NOT HARD TO DO
There's no secret "ancient-Chinese" or otherwise, involved in the cleaning and storing process of the fabrics of cherished heirlooms.
In fact, Ludi Frye says all a person needs is a bar of soap, a cotton sheet, a bath tub, some regular washing detergent, non-chlorine bleach and a little patience.
Mrs. Frye restores and prepares wedding dresses, baptismal gowns, fine linens and just about anything that's made of 100% natural fibers.
"I'm not interested in man-made fibers. If it's polyester, it's really not for me," Mrs. Frye said.
The first step in the cleaning process requires rehydration of the fabric. Fill a tub with warm water and soak until water is dirtied. Drain and add more water as needed. Mrs. Frye said this process could take anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of months. One-quarter cup of detergent can be added after water is clear. For strong, resilient fabric, Mrs. Frye said she just adds a little washing detergent and lets it sit until the cleaning process is complete. For more delicate fibers, Mrs. Frye uses Ivory liquid (in various amounts) in lieu of heavier detergents. If the item requires bleaching, any oxygenated, non-chlorine bleach will do.
No elbow grease is needed. "If there is a secret, it's in the soaking." For storage of treasured possessions, Mrs. Frye said there are some definite no-no's. No plastic. No wood (unless acid-free.) No paper products (unless acid-free.) No chlorine bleach. And, no mothballs.
Lining a box and wrapping the item in a cotton sheet is all you need for storage purposes. An acid-free box ix preferable, but Mrs. Frye said if the item is enveloped in the cotton sheet, it's secure.
A bar of unwrapped deodorant soap stuffed in a cotton sock and placed between the sheet and box will ward off all bugs.
Mrs. Frye said the box should be stored under a bed or at the top of a closet and checked every two years. She said items should be aired out and the sheet washed or replaced if any yellowing does occur.
"You have to treat these things like you'd treat your skin. Most things need to breathe, and fine fabrics are no different," Mrs. Frye said.