quiltncrochet

I received an old quilt top from a neighbor who would like me to try to finish it. It was made by her mother who died when my neighbor was about two and she's 83 now. It has been in a storage shed for the last 25 plus years and desperately needs some cleaning. Some of it has yellowed from age but the red fabric in it is still very vibrant. I know that I don't want to put it in the washing machine but will probably gently wash it in the bathtub. My question is, what type of cleanser should I use. I know there are different kinds out there but need some input on what some of you have used. Thank you for any help you can give me.

Lisa_wanna_b_quilter

Retro Clean has worked wonders for me on old quilts.

ptquilts

I would test the red fabric first to see if it will run. Take a white cloth, wet, and rub on the red fabric. See if the color transfers onto the white.

jo bauer

I have great luck with a product called "Restore" sold in most quilt and fabric stores. I just wash on the hand wash cycle in cold water (saves having to wring the quilt). However, be careful with the vibrant red. You might want to test it's color fastness with a damp white cloth of some kind (tea towel, wash cloth, etc.) before you wash it. However, I always use a shout "Color Catcher" or two when I pre-wash my fabrics, they really do work. I just bundle all the colors together in the machine and let the color catcher do its magic, so if the red is not colorfast you could even add one to the water in the tub.

Treasureit

I have used this also and had really great results...but I do like the idea of testing the red first....if it runs...you can use a product to stabilize it....but I can't think of it right now...hope someone else can... . The problem is would you keep the stains in too?

ManiacQuilter2

There was a real good post on washing an old quilt in the bathtub. You might want to try find it by doing an advance search. It was posted within the last 12 months.

KalamaQuilts

Is it just a top? It will probably be string city nightmare. I have two ancient tops that were washed and no amount of money would entice me to try to work with them now.
Just something to keep in mind.

You could call and talk to a museum, see what they might recommend, but am guessing just vacuuming.

would love to see it!

Tartan

​TEST that red fabric! I have a bad feeling it's a bleeder.

Jan in VA

As I read this post it occurred to me there *might* be a way to stabilize this top before you wash/clean it.
You could add a backing of muslin to the top -- NO batting -- using the birthing method and using a larger stitch which you could remove/pick out more easily after the washing.
After the 'quilt' is "birthed" (turned inside out), you could 'tack' or baste the two layers together every few inches using a thread and stitch that you can remove later after washing and drying the 'quilt'.
Wash on very gentle/hand wash settings, or in the bathtub if you want to deal with the bulk of the thing when it's wet.
I personally probably would not dry it in the dryer - to avoid any more tumbling and risk of the original stitches and seams coming apart. If the weather is decent I'd dry it in the yard, in the shade, between two sheets for an hour or so. You could do a little pressing while it's barely damp before removing the basting stitches and the backing attachment.

Jan in VA

quiltncrochet

Thanks for all the info. I will test the red fabric, had wondered about it running. I do use a color catcher most of the time and would definitely use one here. It is only the top, I wondered about doing a loose basting stitch all around the edge of the top to hopefully help with any raveling. If I get everything figured out I'll try to post a picture. Thank you again to everyone.