Front load HE washer and quilts
10-15-2011, 10:16 AM
#11
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
One thing you want to be careful of with a front loader is washing a quilt that might bleed. When there is very little water, the bleed is concentrated in what little water there is. In a washer with a lot of water, a small bleed is diluted so much it doesn't stain anything.
Someone did this awhile back on the QB -- washed her new quilt in a front loader and many of the reds bled. Fortunately she was able to re-wash it in Synthrapol in a large bathtub with lots of water. Synthrapol in combination with lots of hot water lifted out all the bleeds. The problem could have been avoided by initially washing with Synthrapol in a machine that uses a lot of water.
Once bleeding is no longer an issue, a front loader is fine for quilts. Also, large laundromat front loaders probably use enough water to be okay for a first-time wash. When using a top-loader, it's important to not allow the machine to agitate; stop the machine, hand agitate by pushing up and down, then advance the knob to spin.
Someone did this awhile back on the QB -- washed her new quilt in a front loader and many of the reds bled. Fortunately she was able to re-wash it in Synthrapol in a large bathtub with lots of water. Synthrapol in combination with lots of hot water lifted out all the bleeds. The problem could have been avoided by initially washing with Synthrapol in a machine that uses a lot of water.
Once bleeding is no longer an issue, a front loader is fine for quilts. Also, large laundromat front loaders probably use enough water to be okay for a first-time wash. When using a top-loader, it's important to not allow the machine to agitate; stop the machine, hand agitate by pushing up and down, then advance the knob to spin.
10-15-2011, 10:26 AM
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Canada
Posts: 3,460
Originally Posted by athomenow
I have used mine to wash quilts. Works great because there is no way to put the machine off balance. I use the gentle cycle and cold water.
10-15-2011, 12:03 PM
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 2,103
Originally Posted by QuiltnNan
i didn't realize that not going off balance was possible with that type of machine
10-16-2011, 09:26 AM
#18
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 6
Thanks for all the input everyone! I never use real "detergent" on my quilts as they can actually begin the bleeding process. I will try to mix up a more liquid version of my quilt soap and try that...will let you all know if the results later!
10-16-2011, 09:34 AM
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 2,103
Originally Posted by kquilt53
Thanks for all the input everyone! I never use real "detergent" on my quilts as they can actually begin the bleeding process. I will try to mix up a more liquid version of my quilt soap and try that...will let you all know if the results later!
10-16-2011, 09:38 AM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Nevada
Posts: 650
I've used my front loader often and never had a problem. I do use color catchers if I think there is a possibility they might bleed. The one thing I have found is they do not do a good job with raggy quilts. They just don't agitate them enough to fray them the way we like.
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