Help ruined my girlfriends quilt don’t know what to do!!
09-13-2020, 11:21 AM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 4
Help ruined my girlfriends quilt don’t know what to do!!
So my girlfriend has a quilt hand made by her grandma who now is to old to make a new one. My puppy peed on it so I panicked and threw it in the washer. It came out crusty and hard. Is there a fix to this? Or at least a way to make it better? The best answer I found on google was to let it soak in fabric softener or conditioner. But I want to get input from people who are experienced before I go and accidentally make it worse. From what I can tell it’s made from cotton but not 100% sure. Really know nothing about fabrics or quilts
the quilt for reference:
https://imgur.com/gallery/KvIFZYb
the quilt for reference:
https://imgur.com/gallery/KvIFZYb
09-13-2020, 11:36 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Vancouver Island / Arizona
Posts: 458
Hi Miggsd: I don't think I can help but perhaps some else can with more information. Did you wash in hot water and what did you use for a cleaner. Just had a thought did you dry it on high heat? Another idea might be to take it to a fabric store. They should be able to tell you what your content is. If they don't have any suggestions then posting that information here may help. I am sure someone else will be along shortly with more ideas. I wish you luck. Welcome to the board.
09-13-2020, 11:43 AM
#3
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 4
I did wash it and dry it on high heat... ik I'm an idiot.
I have been told by people on the quilting subreddit to soak it in vinegar and then machine was it on cold and gentle, using detergent and fabric softener. Is this a good idea or will i make it worse?
I have been told by people on the quilting subreddit to soak it in vinegar and then machine was it on cold and gentle, using detergent and fabric softener. Is this a good idea or will i make it worse?
Last edited by miggsd28; 09-13-2020 at 11:44 AM. Reason: change in info
09-13-2020, 11:49 AM
#4
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 15,911
It could be the batting used that made it crusty and hard. Some of the batting years ago was not good quality. I would take it to a quilt shop, not a fabric shop, and get advice before doing anything else to the quilt. Being able to see and feel the quilt is important.
09-13-2020, 12:06 PM
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,053
Ok, first off is to admit what you did. Before my husband moved to be with me, I sent him a quilt and in the last panicked bits of moving, he packed some linens of his which had been stored next to the ferrets and were stinky and it got into the quilt. We could have treated it better/easier, but he panicked and hid it from me until he really abused it.
So next thing I would try is to fill the bathtub with pretty warm warm and a small amount of baby shampoo, you can get that at the dollar store. Soak it in the bathtub, you don't want to use shampoo or dish soap in the laundry machine. Be gentle, don't pick it up by the corners while wet, stomp on it to get as much of the water and soap out before putting it back in the laundry for another round, on gentle, with a gentle normal detergent. I often advise using a laundry basket, the top with big holes in it to put the quilt in and use that to agitate it in the basket.
When you dry it, if you have laundry balls or can get them, this would be the time You can also ball up tinfoil into roughly tennis ball sizes. Dry on medium-high heat, and check often, ideally you want to remove just on the edge of dry so the last moisture is lost with cool down.
So next thing I would try is to fill the bathtub with pretty warm warm and a small amount of baby shampoo, you can get that at the dollar store. Soak it in the bathtub, you don't want to use shampoo or dish soap in the laundry machine. Be gentle, don't pick it up by the corners while wet, stomp on it to get as much of the water and soap out before putting it back in the laundry for another round, on gentle, with a gentle normal detergent. I often advise using a laundry basket, the top with big holes in it to put the quilt in and use that to agitate it in the basket.
When you dry it, if you have laundry balls or can get them, this would be the time You can also ball up tinfoil into roughly tennis ball sizes. Dry on medium-high heat, and check often, ideally you want to remove just on the edge of dry so the last moisture is lost with cool down.
09-13-2020, 12:14 PM
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Flagstaff, Arizona
Posts: 9,475
Oh no! I feel for you and I am sure if she is a good friend she will understand. It was an accident but I do understand that you would like to make it soft again. I think Irishrose is right-if the batting is polyester then the heat would have made it hard. You do have some other great ideas given to you by others. Good luck to you and let us know how things turn out.
09-13-2020, 12:16 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 834
Oh no! I understand your panic.
My concern is- did the batting melt from the heat of tte dryer or is something just embedded in the fabric and can be washed out? If its A - No recovery. If its B - there is hope.
I AM NOT A SPECIALIST. these are just my best ideas. If you can get to a local quilt shop (as others have recommended) so someone can lay eyes and hands on...that is your best bet.
1 - soak in tub in warm water.. You need it to relax and let whatever that made it crusty loosen. Do NOT add anything to the water for this first rinse.
2- not in love with the vineager idea. Changing pH might break down the fibers more. Dawn dish soap (no substitutes!*) Cleans everything and if its good enough for penguins after an oil spill - its gentle enough for you. You are still in the tub btw. Be sure to use your hands only to squash water thru the puppy place. No rubbing. That weakens fibers.
3 - rinse well. Rinse it again. Use laundry basket to transfer from tub to machine. Wet quilts are heavy and can pop seams. Rinse again
4 - machine rinse on gentle and spin dry. (Machine will get more water out). See if you can feel if its still crunchy. Repeat step 4 if necessary.
5 - machine dry LOW COOL until 90% dry. Then leave in a spot (away from the puppy!) To let it finish drying flat. I put mine on tthe spare bed and turn on the ceiling fan. Flip every few hours. Drink heavily to alleviate the anxiety.
Return to friend and TELL THE TRUTH. Bring wine. Drink heavily together.
So thats my best advice.
*edited - ok fine. Iceblossom had a point. Baby shampoo will work here too.
My concern is- did the batting melt from the heat of tte dryer or is something just embedded in the fabric and can be washed out? If its A - No recovery. If its B - there is hope.
I AM NOT A SPECIALIST. these are just my best ideas. If you can get to a local quilt shop (as others have recommended) so someone can lay eyes and hands on...that is your best bet.
1 - soak in tub in warm water.. You need it to relax and let whatever that made it crusty loosen. Do NOT add anything to the water for this first rinse.
2- not in love with the vineager idea. Changing pH might break down the fibers more. Dawn dish soap (no substitutes!*) Cleans everything and if its good enough for penguins after an oil spill - its gentle enough for you. You are still in the tub btw. Be sure to use your hands only to squash water thru the puppy place. No rubbing. That weakens fibers.
3 - rinse well. Rinse it again. Use laundry basket to transfer from tub to machine. Wet quilts are heavy and can pop seams. Rinse again
4 - machine rinse on gentle and spin dry. (Machine will get more water out). See if you can feel if its still crunchy. Repeat step 4 if necessary.
5 - machine dry LOW COOL until 90% dry. Then leave in a spot (away from the puppy!) To let it finish drying flat. I put mine on tthe spare bed and turn on the ceiling fan. Flip every few hours. Drink heavily to alleviate the anxiety.
Return to friend and TELL THE TRUTH. Bring wine. Drink heavily together.
So thats my best advice.
*edited - ok fine. Iceblossom had a point. Baby shampoo will work here too.
Last edited by Rff1010; 09-13-2020 at 12:18 PM.
09-13-2020, 12:22 PM
#10
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,379
Hmmm that is a very interesting quilt, to say the least. Looks like minkee or fleece on one side, and linen on the other? You say it's crusty and hard. One of the pictures looks like the top fabric pilled badly. Is that what's making it crusty and hard? Did you use powdered detergent, or liquid?
