Should I wash runners?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Midwest
Posts: 251
Should I wash runners?
I have always hesitated to wash the table runners I make. Is it normal procedure to wash a runner once it is finished? I don't want to ruin them but wondering if I am skipping the final step in construction. Your help would be appreciated.
#2
I have runners on all my bedroom furniture and my sofa table in my living room. I wash them right after I make them just like I do my quilts. There should be no reason they would get ruined. I do not pre-wash my fabric but I do use color catchers and have never had a problem with color running. I think it is really important if you use starch like I do. In my low humidity area so it probably doesn't matter about getting bugs from the starch but I want the table runner to be soft and wrinkled.
#6
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,538
It depends. Did you pre-wash the fabrics? Is your runner done with bright coloured fabrics surrounded by white of cream? If you didn't pre-wash then you might get some bleeding into the background.
If you pre-washed, then I would wash it when needed and block flat to dry.
If you pre-washed, then I would wash it when needed and block flat to dry.
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 9,018
Washing a finished something is a personal preference. I do not prewashing fab,I do not starch when constructing,I do not wash after completion. Things in my world only get washed ( some machine, some by hand) when the thing: quilt, runner, placemat, whatever gets dirty.....I will air fluff things in dryer periodically...usually seasonally, with change,before storing or using.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Kauai, Hawaii
Posts: 376
I use fabric guard on mine (test on a scrap of each fabric first - most modern fabrics will handle with ease) before the first wash. Also use on matching placemat sets -- really helps with those little spots that occur at the table, and lasts for quite a few washings.
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