Cleaning quilts

[Susan B.]

Susan, was the quilt around smokers? My friend Kathy gave me a quilt that was covered with nicotine that kept washing out until I finally quit washing and just used. If that is the case--cleaning might help.

[Susan B.]

Not to my knowledge. I think my father had quit by the time he met my step-mother.

[E.M. T.]

I think I'd sneak a peek....along the binding some where...just to be safe. Only a few minutes to sew back up.

[Susan B.]

oh my, Marilyn, then I would have to do a burn test to see what I had. What information does this give? And since the binding is hand-sewn, does that mean I should re-attach with hand-sewing? arggh! This sure is a learning process, but I'd like to take care of these quilts.

Margo's link to RetroClean looks interesting, and after watching the demonstration, makes me think I should just wait another 6 months until warm weather when this quilt could hang over a deck railing or on a sheet in the grass, to dry, maybe just using the washing machine for spinning out the water. There's a testimonial from Eleanor Burns who is always funny.

[Kathryn S.]

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/

I got some of the Retro Clean at the quilt shop, to wash a cotton batiste christening gown. I had bought the gown at an "antique" shop probably 20 years ago and it had yellowed. The Retro Clean did remove most of the yellowing, however the fabric seemed to have acquired a few more tiny holes in it than it had before I washed it. I would definitely try out the product on some fabric before using it on a precious quilt!

Kathy

[E.M. T.]

Well, Sue.....perhaps nothing is gained....Just might make the choice of wash methods a bit easier.
I'm not sure when poly became the batt of choice...knowing if it was poly...not likely to be a blend...
it might handle machine wash better than a cotton. Well.. in the end ,it is a gamble when you aren't
the maker. Any chance you could use a top loading washer ?? Then you could "schloss" by hand and spin
out. Waiting till spring might be good, too. :roll:

A long time ago, on a TV program ( I don't remember whose :roll: ops: ) the guest was an antique textile collector/restorer
who recommended this mixture and process :

Equal parts of liq. Ivory dish soap and Powdered Clorox 2 ( not liquid !)
dissolved in water as hot as article can stand and enough to cover
it. Put item in, agitate some and let sit several hours...overnight,etc.
Rinse very well...it will take several rinses...then dry. I've never had
it cause a problem and it seems to work well. Some times I have repeated
it before drying. Surprising how good it does on doilies, hankies and other
small things. The powdered Clorox 2 might be hard to find these days and the
liq. just doesn't work.
I never tried it on some thing large or in a washer.....just basin washing.

[Geneva C.]

I've used Orvis, a horse soap, for years to wash my quilts. In fact, I use it to wash all our clothes. It's cheap and is not a detergent which tends to fade colors. You can find Orvis at any farm or tack store. I buy the big plastic jug which is now up to $23.00 or so. It lasts for 6-8 months. I use a small teaspoon for each load. A lot cheaper than Tide or other detergents.

Geneva

[Geneva C.]

I used the sythropol in hot water in my top loading machine. Put the quilt in and hand agitated--with the quilt I was talking about with the nicotine, it took several washes--let set, when I remembered it was still in the washer, I went back and agitated until water is cool, spin the water out and fill with rinse water--as Marilyn said I usually do at least two rinses, then I spin the water out--twice. With the old quilt I put it in the dryer on low heat. Came out well(probably could have used a couple more washings but I didn't want to damage it(although it is a very sturdy quilt--no weaknesses in the quilt as I don't think it was every used).

[Diane F.]

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!

I talked to an antiques dealer who told me never to store quilts or any fabric in cedar chests. She said that the oils from the cedar cause the fabric to yellow. Could this be the cause of the yellowing?