Originally Posted by FranW
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:)
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!