ruby2shoes

But if the quilt is to be only ever washed in cold or warm water, why do you prewash in hot water? Won't cotton shrink in warm water? And isn't prewashing in warm water emulating how the quilt is to be cleaned during its' lifetime? When I was a veterinary nurse I was taught that the best temperature to remove blood stains and so forth was cold water, and most stain remover products are also compatible with cold or warm water washing so why would you use hot water on a soiled quilt? Hot water can set some stains/dirt I thought?

jamannix

I am a novice at anything domestic. When I used starch on my fabric I just bought the cheapest starch I could find.
I probably over-sprayed but I always ended up with some white starch spots.
I finally tried "Best Press" unscented and it works perfectly.
I also use "Retayne" and presoak my fabrics in hot water. I rinse them to get the Retayne out and then line dry in the
good months, followed by minimal dryer time to take the wrinkles out.
I'm sure there are many ways of prepping fabrics but this has worked for me so I haven't experimented further.

quiltingshorttimer

We are also on a septic system and the soil is basically clay--which causes some lateral field issues. While I am cautious of what I put into the drains, I have never worried about chemicals that are in fabrics--ALL fabrics, whether cut goods or clothing come with chemicals and we wash our clothes, right?My "honey wagon" man says just don't flush things that would clog the filtering system--like tampons, Kleenex or egg shells--none break down. Unless its a blizzard outside, I also compost vegetable scrapings, etc. to minimize the stuff that goes into the drain.

A friend that owned a quilt fabric shop said all fabric should be tested for dye issues by rubbing a swatch of whitepaper hard on the fabric-if you see ANY color,then you have to wash until none rubs off.

ghostrider

For many of us, shrinking is a main purpose of washing in hot water. Another is because you never know how the quilt will be handled once it's out of your control. There were lots of reasons given for hot water prewashing in this recent thread.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...r-t266226.html

mojo11

I never thought of this. You use vinegar and water spritz to get solid creases out of clothes- good idea.

QuiltnLady1

I used to not pre-wash but after having some red and blue bleed onto some white fabric I started prewashing everything. I too don't store starched fabric (too tempting for bugs) so press, ruler fold then starch and iron just before I cut it.

rj.neihart

I wash, then air dry all newly added fabric. I have learned not to iron until I'm about to make use of the fabric. I don't starch - have you tried sewing or quilting once there's starch on the fabric? egads! Talk about needing pliers to pull thread through! If you're one who sends out quilts to have binding put on, due to no fault of your own for not liking the binding part, think of the poor soul who has to put that binding on once starch has been used....it's a crime I tell ya, a crime!

Toni C

[QUOTE=rj.neihart;7236685 have you tried sewing or quilting once there's starch on the fabric? egads! Talk about needing pliers to pull thread through! If you're one who sends out quilts to have binding put on, due to no fault of your own for not liking the binding part, think of the poor soul who has to put that binding on once starch has been used....it's a crime I tell ya, a crime![/QUOTE]
hahahaa I starch the limp right out of mine and put on my bindings and I'm good. Some of my fabric can stand on it's own Toni

Jennifer23

Speaking as a chemist, I wouldn't recommend this. Vinegar is an acid, and over time it will deteriorate your fabric. This is why acid-free pens, paper etc are used in scrapbooking - even very small amounts of acid, over time, will cause natural fibers to break down. Throwing it into a hot dryer will accelerate the process.

dd

I always use white vinegar in my laundry and dishwasher. We have very hard well water. The vinegar takes care of the lime and dishes comes out spotless. I use in washer with towels to counter act the soap. Towels come out soft even on the clothes line without fabric softener. I'm told it also kills germs. Can't smell it on fabric when it's dry. I even use it on my hair sometimes. It all washes out the next time you wash anything. Been using it for years.