Okay, so today I finished another scrappy quilt using a lot of old fabric from the 40's and 50's. I found this fabric in my MIL's basement. I hardly ever wash until I'm completely finished with the quilt, I like that puckered look, well this time the stink stuck around! I let it soak for an hour or so then put it through the wash, and it still smells "musty". Any ideas on carefully making a quilt smell better. P.S. I have used tons of her fabric in the past and never had this problem.

Arm and Hammer Washing soda or detergent

I used vinegar and baking soda in the wash and let dry in sun, took the smell out..

Drying it outside in the sun may help. It is a beautiful quilt.

Borax.

Yep, vinegar should help. Thanks.

beautiful quilt.

I would wash in vinegar and rinse it a couple of times. Your quilt is beautiful :D:D:D

Beautiful quilt!!! Vinegar & hang outside to dry!!!

But in the shade, not in direct sunlight! Don't want that beautiful quilt to fade.

I so appreciate all the help on this board! Many times I have read to wash a quilt with vinegar and/or baking soda to take the smell out. I really don't know what this means. Do you add these to your regular detergent in the washer? And how much of either/or? Thank you - I am sure these are dumb questions:)

Aw, what a pretty quilt! Yes I add the vinegar OR Baking soda with the reg. detergent.

I would always tell my kids the only dumb question is the one that doesn't get asked!

I'd be asking the same thing because I don't know either.

In a regular washer that fills with water and agitates, I would add about 1/2 to 1 cup each of baking soda and vinegar to the drum, let fill with water, agitate for a few minutes, then soak. I don't use detergent at this point. The chemicals in regular detergent coat the fibers, that why you smell the laundry "scent" on your clothes. The baking soda and vinegar help cut through any residue on the fabric. Then dry outside if possible or at least air dry as the heat from the dryer can bring the smell back out.

I also use soap on the laundry rather than detergent. Soap works well sometimes where detergent won't. You can use about a 1/4 cup of liquid castile soap (like Dr. Bronner's, available at most grocery or health food stores) instead of detergent in the wash cycle.

Good luck.

By the way, what a cute quilt!

oatw13 said "In a regular washer that fills with water and agitates, I would add about 1/2 to 1 cup each of baking soda and vinegar to the drum, let fill with water, agitate for a few minutes, then soak. I don't use detergent at this point. The chemicals in regular detergent coat the fibers, that why you smell the laundry "scent" on your clothes. The baking soda and vinegar help cut through any residue on the fabric. Then dry outside if possible or at least air dry as the heat from the dryer can bring the smell back out.

I also use soap on the laundry rather than detergent. Soap works well sometimes where detergent won't. You can use about a 1/4 cup of liquid castile soap (like Dr. Bronner's, available at most grocery or health food stores) instead of detergent in the wash cycle."

Thank you! These directions are perfect!

beautiful

did you get the smell out yet?

Fabreeze.

I second that.

Very nice quilt
I have used the baking soda and vinegar many times and it hasn't failed me yet!

Baking Soda?