Cleaning quilts

[Margo C.]

I've used Synthrapol for years to help control bleeding fabrics and just saw this post on Pinterest. I'm thinking it's worth a try!



Quilting Tip of the Day: Dawn dishwashing soap is great to wash your finished quilts. It's similar to Synthrapol, a detergent dyers use to keep fugitive dyes from redepositing on fabric. I use just a tablespoon or two per quilt so it doesn't foam up the machine. I also wash new fabric with it for the same reason. (Wash new fabric in HOT water.) Cheap and available everywhere.

[Andree B.]

Margo! Today is your special "tips" day? :wink:

I will give this one a try, some manufacturers have some reds that seem to always bleed...

Thanks!

Andrée

[Margo C.]

Thanks Andrée! If you do try it, please share your thoughts!

[Nancy R.]

Dawn is also recommended for this in the Craftsy fabric dying class. I can't remember offhand who the teacher is, but it's really good! She said that you have to make sure to get the blue Dawn. The other Dawns won't work.

Nancy

[Margo C.]

Thanks for the added info, Nancy!

[Margo C.]

Huh--will have to try this.

[Margo C.]

Thanks Margo!

I've never used Syntrapol. Instead, I've been successfully using Shout Color Catchers for washing clothing and quilts that I think might bleed. They are a little pricey and never seem to go on sale, but they are readily available at supermarkets and very convenient to use. I currently have a full bottle of this Dawn under my kitchen sink. So, can I use this instead of the color Catchers?

[Margo C.]

Nancy, I haven't tried it so don't know how to advise you other than to say "try a sample".

I will do a small piece before I try it on a finished quilt!

[Susan B.]

I'd like to tag on to this thread for advice. I've attached two pictures from one of two identical twin quilts that I've inherited from my step-mother (God rest her soul). I wish I had more information about these quilts. There is no labelling. I suspect that her mother made them because Bobbie was not crafty/quilty in the slightest. The overall design is cross-stitched simple Baltimore album style and hand-quilted. They've been in her house for as long as I've known her, 30 years.

The front is yellowed and the back is quite white in comparison. I don't know if this is bleached versus unbleached muslin, or if the yellowing is from age. The back almost feels like a polyester blend, although I have no way of telling. The thread looks like DMC embroidery floss.

I'd like to wash them, but my hands would never stand hand-washing. Do I dare put them in a front-loading washing machine on delicate cycle? Opinions, please!

[E.M. T.]

That floss can be a pain !! I wash a lot of it in pillowcases, doilys and such....most is color fast. That being
said there's always the oddball in the bunch...red or blue for me....that isn't. Color catchers help...synthrapol or
try the Dawn...and don.t let it sit damp to dry as the color can wick out into the fibers... And a healthy dose of
courage !! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :mrgreen:

[Susan B.]

So, do I put it in the dryer on fluff or very low????????

[Margo C.]

Another product that I haven't personally tried yet (but intend to soon) is RETRO CLEAN. This product is intended as a soak and claims to "Safely Brings Age-Stained Textiles Back to Life".

http://retroclean.com/retroclean/

[E.M. T.]

What kind of batting, Sue?

[E.M. T.]

My suspicion is that if the "yellowing" is all over the front and there is none at all on the back--it is probably a difference in fabric. I have a couple of quilt(not that I have made) that are that color yellow and it is from my DH oily skin. I haven't found anything that gets it out completely.

[Susan B.]

I have no idea what kind of batting. It's not really poofy, or really flat. The yellowing is not extremely consistent which makes me think it's age related. Dear step-mama would take these quilts off the bed as soon as my then-husband and I walked in the door. I wonder what she thought we would do to them :lol: :lol: