Originally Posted by
nanacc
I do the same as some of the others. All of mine(my clothes also) in hypoallergenic laundry detergents. As for odors, I find that a little vinegar helps and does not add anything harmful.
When making charity quilts of any sorts, and for any destination .... you are best to check the "rules" first before making it. Some have specific requirements regarding fabrics, battings, construction, sizes (minimum/maximum) laundering, etc. It'd be better to know up-front than to have a quilt rejected, and thus be disappointed.
When pre-washing fabric, I give it a lot of tough love! My normal laundry detergent (unscented) with hot water for the wash and a colour catcher to monitor what happens! Then similarly a hot dryer. If bleeding occurs, then I will usually re-wash as sometimes it's a once only thing. If it continues, then a Retayne treatment. Then after the fact it's TLC with cold or warm water, regular laundry detergent and a gentle warm dryer.
As already said by others, I'd sooner find out what's going to happen to a fabric before I put a lot of work into it ... bleeding? shrinkage? texture/quality? Some fabrics have a lot of filler, and turn wimpy and flimsy after the fact. Some tighten up the weave and become a nicer than ever fabric with all that abuse! And one cannot always predict about these three, as to which fabrics it might be!
