Kim Bohannon

Hey everyone... I have this white quilt that was given to me and my husband when we got married 8 years ago. Well, the quilt is turning a nasty dirty white. Is there a way to restore it? I have a small washer that can wash it, but not very well, so I may have to take it to the laundry mat. However I need to do it, I need to treat the whole quilt with something to restore the white, am not into using bleach if there is an alternative.

Thanks for your imput!

sueisallaboutquilts

Kim, there is a product I just love called Retro-clean. You can get it online. Great product. I've used it for many items, including quilts that were yellowed, etc. I soak my things in it for a couple of days. Then wash as usual.
Great stuff!


http://retroclean.com/

Tink's Mom

Try oxyclean with your detergent...it will brighten it.

leatheflea

clorox II

nnewman

I use a scoop or two of Oxy Clean in with my detergent and let it soak for a day or two on many of my thrift shop quilt finds. It has really been amazing how well they clean up. If there are specific stains, you can make a paste with the Oxy on them.

I do think it is very important that your washing machine is big enough to wash and rinse the quilt well. If you are not able to use a bigger machine, I would suggest rinising multiple time to be sure to get all the dirt and soap out.

ptquilts

I have had good luck with all fabric bleach (not chlorine). The secret is a long soak, think days not hours. I did a vintage quilt for a client once, when DH saw the finished quilt he thought I had ruined it - I had to explain, no, that was not a beige fabric before, it was white and just very, very dirty.

candlequilter

I agree with everyone else on the several days of soaking. But I would cautious you not to use the laudrymat for a bigger machine. True the machines may be bigger but you could actually end up getting more dirt residue from the laudrymat than getting it clean. When so many different types of soap are used in machines like that plus you never know what was previously washed in it before you use it and you could end up with gunk from that and the excess soap build up.

needles3thread

Susieallaboutquilts, I just ordered some Retro-clean.
I have some old feed/flour sacks that have brown spots.
Have tried oxi-clean & it does a good job, but makes the
colored parts lighter.

sueisallaboutquilts

I swear by this stuff. It's really cleaned up a lot for me w/o fading. Glad you like it! :thumbup:
OOPS- I thought you said you already used it. Be sure to follow the instructions and soak for as long as possible!

blueangel

I have used oxy clean with good results.