Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
Question: How to Keep Fabric Stash Fresh Smelling? >

Question: How to Keep Fabric Stash Fresh Smelling?

Question: How to Keep Fabric Stash Fresh Smelling?

Old 08-31-2012, 08:07 AM
  #21  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
Default

It's not just cedar balls that can damage fabric. Anything made from wood fibers, including cardboard boxes, contains acid that gradually eats into fabric. "Archival quality" papers and cardboards have been treated to remove the acid, so they are safe, but they are also horribly expensive.

In short, you do not want to store fabric in contact with paper, cardboard, or wood of any kind (including cedar chests). It's okay to store fabric or quilts in a cedar chest *if* they are encased so the fabric does not have direct contact with the wood.
Prism99 is offline  
Old 08-31-2012, 09:02 AM
  #22  
Super Member
 
ghostrider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,688
Default

To add a PS to Prism's post...that only applies to unsealed wood. Painted or urethaned shelves, for instance, are safe. Also FYI, the bolts that fabrics come on are acid free...I tested several of them.
ghostrider is offline  
Old 08-31-2012, 10:02 AM
  #23  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Vermont
Posts: 1,095
Default

In my experience, once a fabric has developed a "smell" whether its from humidity, dust, lack of air so the chemicals in the fabric take over, you won't get rid of the smell until the fabric is washed. Any new fabric placed with the older fabric will adopt the same smell. All of the above recommendations are good for clearing the air in the room, but not in the fabric. Seems you have two choices, wash all the fabric now and cure the cause or wash the quilts when they are finished to remove any oder.
paulswalia is offline  
Old 08-31-2012, 10:24 AM
  #24  
Senior Member
 
HouseDragon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Kaua`i
Posts: 616
Default NO Febreze, PLEASE!

Please, please don't use Febreze if you give away or sell your quilts. Those of us who are allergic to Febreze can get contact dermatitis that can take weeks to get rid of and it can act as an attack trigger to those of us with asthma.

Unfortunately, I've had both happen to me. I woke up with every part of my body not covered by my nightie broken out after sleeping one night under sheets washed in a laundry soap "with Febreze" at my DD's. And I could never understand why the back of my legs would break out after visiting my DDIL's: they sprayed their couch with Febreze.


Thank you to the poster who suggested the charcoal shoe inserts. I know that idea is going to come in handy at some point!

I store my fabrics in plastic bins stacked on top of each other with a rolling bin at the bottom of each stack. Because of their construction, the bins are not air tight which lets air circulate to a limited extent. Fabrics are usually washed as they are bought but not always. I pink the cut edges before washing which makes it quick & easy to tell "Washed or not washed?".
HouseDragon is offline  
Old 08-31-2012, 03:11 PM
  #25  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,370
Default

What kind of test did you do to tell that the bolt cardboards are acid free?
bearisgray is offline  
Old 08-31-2012, 03:52 PM
  #26  
Super Member
 
ghostrider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,688
Default

Originally Posted by bearisgray View Post
What kind of test did you do to tell that the bolt cardboards are acid free?
There are inexpensive pH testers that artists (and scrapbookers, I believe) use to test papers and matboards (first got mine for printmaking).

It's like a felt tip pen. The mark changes color to indicate the acid level with a high, moderate, or acid-free rating (can't find my 'score card' at the moment). I've also tried it on corrugated cardboard to confirm it works and that tests high.

Dick Blick is one source, but I'm sure there must be more...maybe even Michael's.
http://www.dickblick.com/products/ac...kTracking=true
ghostrider is offline  
Old 08-31-2012, 03:56 PM
  #27  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,370
Default

Originally Posted by ghostrider View Post
There are inexpensive pH testers that artists (and scrapbookers, I believe) use to test papers and matboards (first got mine for printmaking).

It's like a felt tip pen. The mark changes color to indicate the acid level with a high, moderate, or acid-free rating (can't find my 'score card' at the moment). I've also tried it on corrugated cardboard to confirm it works and that tests high.

Dick Blick is one source, but I'm sure there must be more...maybe even Michael's.
http://www.dickblick.com/products/ac...kTracking=true
Learned something new - thank you.
bearisgray is offline  
Old 08-31-2012, 06:35 PM
  #28  
Super Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 4,688
Default

I have found that using white vinegar in the wash and rinse cycles will get just about any smell out of fabric. I can't tolerate any of the candle smells or many soaps -- and the fabric softener sheets gives me migranes so I have to use other things to remove the smells.

My fabric is in the finished daylight basement, but fortunately no smells yet.
QuiltnLady1 is offline  
Old 09-01-2012, 03:54 AM
  #29  
Super Member
 
k9dancer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Mena, Arkansas
Posts: 1,351
Default

If your room is carpeted, that may be contributing to the problem.
k9dancer is offline  
Old 09-01-2012, 04:51 AM
  #30  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Missouri
Posts: 1,250
Default

Prewash your fabric. Store fabric in containers that allows the fabric to breath. Never store in plastic containers, they do not allow the fabric to breath. Unwashed fabric outgasses formaldhyde, and it has chemicals from the dying process.
Pieces2 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Janet P.
Main
61
04-01-2019 11:53 AM
Purl
Main
25
07-04-2015 06:33 PM
CAS49OR
Main
37
04-18-2015 09:58 AM
Ariannaquilts
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
22
07-20-2014 04:15 PM
quilterj
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
19
10-07-2009 04:33 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter