Annaquilts

Hmmm I wonder why?

Tothill

I have a top load machine and have made a fair number of rag quilts.

I set the machine to presoak, it does not drain on this cycle. Once the cycle is complete I run a strainer through the of the water to remove as much of the thread scraps as possible. I reset the cycle to the beginning to let it agitate some more and repeat. I do this 3-4 times in total. It may seem like overkill, but I get a huge amount of thread scraps. Then when I put it into he dryer, I clean the lint trap several times.

I would not wash a rag quilt at home if we had a septic tank. I cannot imagine the harm all that lint would cause.

PaperPrincess

If it's a smallish quilt you can wash it in a zippered pillow case. You can also try a mesh bag. with the pillow case, it will take several washings because there's not as much agitation. I would never try it in a domestic front loader. not enough water or agitation.

ManiacQuilter2

There have been previous post about taking them to the laundromat at least the first time washing. There is an abundance of fuzz created by all the snipping of the edges. Lucky you had a husband to resolve the plumbing problem.

gingerd

Mine go to the laundromat! I won't do them in our washer or dryer.

dunster

I've had no problem washing them in a top load washer, but I clean it out pretty good after the quilt is washed and I empty the lint filter in the dryer several times while drying the quilt. I also check the vent (that goes to the outside of the house) at least once a year.

ckcowl

I always take them outside & shake, shake, shake them ALot before putting in the washer, then when they finish the wash cycle I take them out & shake them again before the rinse cycle. Again before going into the dryer. Empty the lint trap every 15 minutes & usually take them out & shake them 2-3 times before dry. Large ones I have taken to the Laundromat, I still take them out & shake them before going into the dryer & a couple times before dry. I don't know about a front loader-- have never heard anything but problems with them so don't own one

AudreyB

I put mine in the dryer for 10-15 minutes before I wash them. The dryer gets a fair amount of lint. Then I wash them twice, skimming the threads off the top of the water often during the wash cycle. Then back to the dryer, emptying the lint trap ever 5-10 minutes.

I often take mine to the laundrymat, but I put it through the dryer first to rid it of as much of the lint as I can.

ruby2shoes

No problems with my front loader and dryer;I didn't do anything special and they handled them fine. I was quite surprised, and relieved! Now all these comments have me thinking it was just a lucky "one off" for me and I'm wondering if I'll be so chirpy about it all the next time around!!!!

katesnanna

I don't have a dryer (no need) so when I made a rag quilt I just banged it against the wooden fence and that loosened and removed most of the fibres.