Originally Posted by
sandilee
What about taking it to the cleaners?
Quilts should never be dry cleaned, especially old ones like this. The chemical, etc. used in dry cleaning can be very harmful,to the fabrics and colors and the dry cleaning solution isn’t very clean. I know of only one professional well-known quilter (Par Campbell - RIP) who always dry cleaned her quilts BUT she had a good dry cleaners who always used new, clean solutions. The other suggestions for cleaning and soaking - like Oxyclean - are good ones. My sister and I used a lot of OxyClean and a good long soak in the washing machine for tablecloths, etc. left when our Mom passed away. She was a heavy smoker and they looked horrible. The long soak and an. Easy wash and rinse made them look brand new again. Personally, I’d also be careful of spot cleaning as you don’t know what the stain might be from.
Very cute quilts - looks like maybe from the 40s or so. It’s sad you have no history and you are so correct - please label your quilts - and be clear - something like - “To Bobby for his 5th birthday from Grandma” doesn’t say anything.
Sandy in Mooresville, NC (visiting in CO)