I had a Maytag with the same type of filter. Life has not been the same since that machine died - after 18 years of great service.

That would be me. When I returned to take the quilt out of the dryer, a plumber was hard at work snaking the drain. I sneaked the quilt out as inconspicuously as possible.

Laundromat!! for ALL Rag Quilts.. and new towels too. That fuzz that comes off will clog the pump in washers.

I've only made 2 rag quilts and it didn't occur to me they could cause problems. I must have gotten lucky because they both got washed in my front loader and dried in my dryer no problem. The flannel that I used was pretty tightly woven, so it probably didn't shed nearly as much as a homespun would. Also, I used rag snips and snipped the fabric after it was sewn rather than die cutting with a rag die and then sewing. Don't know if that would make a difference or not.

The laundromat was on my way to the grocery so I stopped to ask. The owner of the laundromat here said there was a 'grinder' on each machine drain, like the food grinder on a dishwasher. The industrial machine has a powerful grinder so even stuffing from toys or pillows won't clog that up. He said the commercial washers come with those on it now anyway. He said he hasn't had a clogged drain since he put the new washers in. My next washer will be a commercial one for sure. Doesn't cost that much more then a regular one. He said he would order it for me when I got ready for it.

I washed a couple of rag quilts in my washing machine, but until this thread, I did not know what clogged up my washing machine outlet drain. I will remember this for the next time, because I had to go and borrow a snake to unclog it.
Thanks for the information.
Cathy

I have washed rag quilts in my front loader without any problems, too. And dried in my drier, no problem. I guess we should "knock on wood" :)

If this is true, and no reason to not think it is, the new top load washers that adjust the water for the load size, will not be good either. Hard to find a washer where you can decide how much water you need to wash your clothes.

When I made a Raggy Jacket, I dampened it and then took it out in the yard and shook the daylights out of it and then brushed it for a long time. I then washed it in my top-loading machine. However, when I dried it, I stopped the dryer frequently, cleaned the filter well, and continued until the jacket stopped losing lint. Took a long time, but I have washed and worn it since with no problems.

I would never attempt to wash any rag quilt in my home washer, no matter the make or model. I made quite a few some years back and they all went to the Laundromat for washing, then took them home and shook them vigorously and then into the dryer.

too many layers
 

Flannel rag quilt - whether full size or lap size, in my opinion, is one layer thick. When you wash the quilt, the rag edges fluff up creating thickness to keep those using it warm. I made my first lap rag quilt in 2013 and had no problem washing/drying it. Sorry you have had so much trouble washing it. I hope you will not quit making a rag quilt because of what you experienced. God bless you.

I now found directions for making it with two layers of flannel or woven fabric and using a piece of batting in the middle. The first rag quilt I made had 3 layers of flannel. It used a layer of flannel in the middle instead of batting. This would indeed give 3 edges to rag making it very fluffy when finnished. I have never seen a rag quilt with one layer of flannel to be ragged. Are there any instructions online to do it this way? Indeed it would cut down on all the lint.

The one I made was a layer of flannel, a smaller square of batting, and a regular quilting cotton layer (I used a layer cake actually).

I remember it being fuzzy but not more than a couple of new towels. I did a lot of lint trap cleaning from the dryer, but I can't remember having any problems with the washer.

I know lots of people take them to the laundrymat. But I always have pity for the person that uses the machine next. What a mess. I love the idea of a chenille brush. Thanks.

Hey Annaquilts (original poster)... just a thought here. I made rag pillows, and one small lap quilt, using a die a couple of years ago. These were gifts going to my Mom's family after she passed away, using her old clothes. Most of the clothes were either knit (like t-shirts) or fleece, and some polyesters. I washed and dried everything in my very old washer and dryer, no problems. But, those fabrics do not shred and lint as much as flannels or cottons, which is probably why I didn't have any issues, and I just thought about it after reading this thread.

I guess my point is that rag quilts can be made of anything, and if folks are really concerned about not being able to wash/dry them and being banished from the Laundromat, :) all is not lost.

When I made my daughter's rag quilt, I took it outside and hung it up, then beat the heck out of it with a broom before washing. Tiny pieces of thread flew off everywhere! Granted there was still a lot that came off during the washing and drying, but I think I probably got at least a third (if not more) of it out by doing this.

Donna

I asked the owner who has several local laundries about rag quilts in the washers. She did know what they were too. She said it would have been a problem several years ago but not now. The new machines are clog proof. Whatever that means. So go to the laundry that has the better machines.

This is good to know. I would definitely not want to cause machine or plumbing problems by washing these quilts at the laundromat. I think I will try this.

I have made several rag quilts. I have an old king size sheet that I have folded in half and stitched up both sides and I put the rag quilt in it and stitch up the opening. I can then wash and dry the quilt in my washer and dryer. Once it comes out of the dryer I unstitch part of the seam and take the rag quilt out and shake. Do this outside because threads are everywhere.

What a brilliant, practical idea!

Indeed this sounds like a great option. I think I will try this.