Can old thread be salvaged?
 

I have read two different opinions (facts?) about old thread. One says "toss it."

The other is what I am asking about. I think it said something like put it in a plastic bag in the fridge or freezer and it will be revitalized. Does anyone know anything about this method? Does it work? What exactly are you supposed to do with the thread? Does it restore the thread to anything like new?

Thanks for everyone's input. I have so much old thread and I hate to toss it all. I collect a certain kind of sewing caddy and every time I get one, it tends to have a few spools of thread, many never used.

I guess the question is how "old" do you mean by "old"?

I don't see how putting thread in the frig/freezer would revitalize it ... though I have no facts on this.

One thing I've been told before is to take a length of the thread off the spool, and just pull on it ... if it breaks too easily then it's probably too "old"! If you're wondering how it should be ... try breaking some relatively new thread for comparison.

There was a couple of threads this week, with ideas on what to do with old spools. I'm guessing that these are probably wooden spools?

I use old and cheap thread for mending and basting. I would not use it for anything I would want to last for any length of time.

I use the easily breakable thread for hand basting my quilts.

There are many ideas at this link for using wooden spools:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...s-t195522.html

I'm not telling nobody what kind, how old, or where I got/get my thread from! LOL!