Thread: Protecting white fabric

I've never made a quilt using white and strong colours but my next quilt for my grandson is going to be made with squares of different shades of blue and squares of white. Now I have prewashed all my blues on a warm wash with a couple of colour catchers....is there anything else I should be doing to make sure the blue doesn't bleed the first time the quilt is washed. Going to a little boy I'm guessing this is going to happen frequently! Help please.

Did your colour catchers stay white when you washed it. if yes I suppose it is ok. But I would let it soak many hours anyway and see if the water remains clear!

Originally Posted by ManiacQuilter2

The best way to be totally safe is to make sure that his mother always uses a color catcher in the wash. Make sure she also washes the quilt in warm colors and light tumble dry in the dryer on very low heat. Many non-quilters do not know how to properly wash a quilt.

Just a note, when I gift a quilt I "always" include a box of color catchers and Quilt Care instructions.

Judy in Phx, AZ

I use white frequently in my quilts with lots of other bright and dark fabrics. I always prewash ALL fabrics with color catchers and never had an issue with the white staying white. I think you did all you can do and should be fine!

Thanks everyone. Helou, my catchers came out pale blue so I'm guessing there may still be some bleed left in the fabrics. Good idea ManiacQuilter2, I'll give my daughter a box of colour catchers with the quilt...... Yikes, I thought cutting out all my pieces was going to be scary..ha! This is way scarier for me! Can't wait to run back to my usual, trusty earth colours!!!

You may want to consider using Synthropol prior to cutting. It will remove any excess dye. I have also used dawn dishwashing liquid prior to cutting , a few tablespoons in the cycle can be just as effective as Synthropol

I would wash in Synthrapol. If you want to make absolutely sure, after pre-washing everything, I would cut a piece from each fabric and either sew them together or safety pin them together and wash again. This will show you if the white picks up any color from the other fabrics. Some whites will not pick up color; other whites will. It's not only about how much the colors bleed; it's also about how much loose color the light fabrics will pick up.