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henryparrish76 06-18-2009 02:51 PM

Whats the best way to clean all of the fabric I own? Story of why I need to do it is below.


Okay the room set aside for quilting is being cleaned but it is taking a while. We had an infestation of mice this winter(sarcastically wonders why to himself as if he didnt know....... thanks to the unclean roomie we have who I will be getting rid of as soon as I get a full time job) and they pretty much destroyed a bunch of my fabric and patterns, one of bookshelves, one of my quilting hoops and left a mess all over the quilting room behind and under the shelves etc. It's going to take a few more days to clean.

I had to throw out a bunch of the fabric that were on the bottom shelves of the bookcases and almost all of my batting had to be thrown out.

I am upset. Also how do you throw a friend out of your house but save the friendship?????? She is a nice person, just very unclean and I cant take it anymore.

patricej 06-18-2009 03:15 PM

Henry, dear, Henry.

make very sure it's her fault before you accuse her. my house usually looks like a bomb went off - in every room - but i don't have mice. how old is your house? are you sure they didn't find lots of inviting openings they can use to come in from the cold?

maybe it's the house. but, if it's been checked over by professionals and they've confirmed it's the roomie, toss her out. she's not a friend if she risks your health rather than pick up her mess.

amma 06-18-2009 03:58 PM

I agree with Patrice, Henry. I have had mice come into a couple of places where I have lived...and it was not because of unclean conditions, it was getting cold and they managed to find a way in. We even had an issue in one place with rats in the garage...but we did live out in the country and they found it to be a nice warm place to nest.
I am so sorry that you have lost so much of your stash... :( :( :(

henryparrish76 06-18-2009 04:14 PM


Originally Posted by PatriceJ
Henry, dear, Henry.

make very sure it's her fault before you accuse her. my house usually looks like a bomb went off - in every room - but i don't have mice. how old is your house? are you sure they didn't find lots of inviting openings they can use to come in from the cold?

maybe it's the house. but, if it's been checked over by professionals and they've confirmed it's the roomie, toss her out. she's not a friend if she risks your health rather than pick up her mess.

The house was built in the 1970's. We have never had a mouse problem before this winter. I had a professional come out and look the house over and he said that room was an invitation to them to come in because of the dog food that is all over her room. ( Her dog doesn't eat from a doggie dish)

henryparrish76 06-18-2009 04:16 PM

So do I need to Clorox bleach the ones that are white/light colors ? Use some special kind of detergent on the darker colors or what? I want to make sure that the fabrics are clean and germ free from whatever mice can leave behind.

Piedmont Quilter 06-18-2009 04:25 PM

Oh Henry ~ I'm so sorry you have lost some of your stash and going through this delima. Since you have had the house checked by professionals, if I can give my 2 cents -

Sit your friend down and explain if she is to continue to live there some rules must be followed.

#1 Your room - your space - - - MY house - MY rules

#2 Keep your room CLEAN

#3 If dog is allowed to stay in house, he/she can no longer eat off floor in bedroom. Must eat in different room of house that IS NOT considered living area; ie utility or laundry room.

#4 If these rules cannot be followed, in order to keep our friendship in tact, maybe we need to dissolve this living arrangement. (Give her 30 days to find somewhere else to live)

That's just my 2 cents worth :wink:

Blue Bell 06-18-2009 04:26 PM

I have had a mouse problem, too. They can get in the house via the tiniest opening. I feed the birds sunflower seeds so the mice have lots to eat. I finds piles of sunflower shells in the garage. I had to throw out fabric, as well. I felt bad about that, so know how you feel..

henryparrish76 06-18-2009 04:35 PM


Originally Posted by Piedmont Quilter
Oh Henry ~ I'm so sorry you have lost some of your stash and going through this delima. Since you have had the house checked by professionals, if I can give my 2 cents -

Sit your friend down and explain if she is to continue to live there some rules must be followed.

#1 Your room - your space - - - MY house - MY rules

#2 Keep your room CLEAN

#3 If dog is allowed to stay in house, he/she can no longer eat off floor in bedroom. Must eat in different room of house that IS NOT considered living area; ie utility or laundry room.

#4 If these rules cannot be followed, in order to keep our friendship in tact, maybe we need to dissolve this living arrangement. (Give her 30 days to find somewhere else to live)

That's just my 2 cents worth :wink:

Thanks I have explained that to her about an hour or so ago. We shall see how it goes.

henryparrish76 06-18-2009 04:35 PM


Originally Posted by Loretta
I'd go with Colorsafe bleach. Its better for the fibers of your fabric.

Thanks Loretta!!!! :)

amma 06-18-2009 04:38 PM


Originally Posted by henryparrish76
So do I need to Clorox bleach the ones that are white/light colors ? Use some special kind of detergent on the darker colors or what? I want to make sure that the fabrics are clean and germ free from whatever mice can leave behind.

You will need to find some kind of disinfectant to use as you wash them. I would call a disaster cleaning complany (that cleans up after fires, floods, etc..) I have bought cleaners from them in the past for various reasons and they may have something that will disinfect without further damaging your fabrics :wink:


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