Doilies

I've been ironing doilies, most of which I found in my mother's drawers (never used, never washed).
Some of these are very old, but they are not used. There is a vast quantity of them, and most are undamaged.
This is good, because I may be able to sell them, once I've ironed, starched, and blocked them.
But why have such things and not use them? I really do not understand. When I arrived here, 6 months ago, she had covered what furniture she had covered, with material which looked like towels. The ends were unfinished, and it kind of looked sloppy and shabby.
Everything is covered in dust - lots and lots of dust. I've been chipping away at the dust, but it is still there, covering everything in the house. I think I may need to get some air-filters or something, because it is just everywhere.
But the doilies are collected and I've put in the 2nd load of them into the washer, and trying to iron out the first load. My back hurts, and a great many of these will have to be washed again to get the age-stains out.
I don't understand why she doesn't use any of them. There are lace doiles and needlepoint embroidered, and they are just lovely. A few are damaged, but most are just lovely.
Cleaning them up is going to be a huge undertaking, as every one of them needs to be cleaned, just from having been laying around for so long. 
There are hankies, as well.
Hand embroidered, hand crocheted, cross stitch and just loveliness.
Lots of work, though.