I end up with a ball of string with fabric flags hanging off of it when I try to wash a bunch of fabric. I tried according folding and then pinning the ends, still got a wad-o-tangles, this time with pins sticking out of it; putting it in a mesh bag, got a wad-o-tangles in the bag; and the latest try is cutting the edge with pinking shears. Waiting for the load to finish now to see if that worked.

Any suggestions to avoid the next Gordian knot?
Julie

I don't usually prewash, but when I do I zig zag the raw edges.

Me Too :)

cut off the corners it helps

I wash on the gentle or hand wash cycle and don't have the knotting problem that I use to have.

I pink mine and they don't come out too bad.

I have found either using my pinking scissors and/or my wavy cut rotary blades, really works well....and if I see that on my fabric I know it has been washed.....

I find the pinking works fairly well for me.

I baste the ends of my fabric, then place in a mesh bag and end up with minimal threads

I serge around the raw edges = no raveling.