flood damage to fabric - how to recover??
 

Our area recieved some flooding and some of our quilters had fabric that got wet, and they weren't home at the time. The yardage isn't a problem, they can figure out how to deal with the cleaning and determining if there is mold/mildew etc and if the fabric is salvageable or not.

But, what about precuts? One gal had jelly rolls and charms plus some HST she had cut - can these be salvaged? Won't the edges shred? I had thought perhaps place in a mesh laundry bag, then fill the bathtub, and by hand swish it back and forth gently.

Any ideas, experience, advice? Thanks.

What you suggested will work - just lay the pieces out on towels - they will probably need to be ironed afterwards - but - it can be done.

Just depends on how much she wants to salvage the fabrics.

I would do the hand wash thing with any of the precuts as well. Use a regular detergent so they get any dirt/mildew out of the fabrics as well. Hand washing should not shred the edges beyond use. May not need to overly agitate - just let soak for a bit then lay flat to dry.

It depends on how long they were wet if there will be any mold that develops. I would had wash the pre-cuts and launder the yardage in a washer as soon as possible.

I feel bad for all who have to go through this and it seems like this year there have been a lot already. Hope she can get some of her fabrics reclaimed.

We lost our home in a tornado and I lost fabrics. A friend took a jelly roll that was wet and dirty and hand washed it and air dried it by hanging on things about the house. She later ironed the strips. It worked