In the process of binding a new quilt for a customer, the corners of the quilt have become dirty. (Just the bound corners.) How would you clean them? Would you was the whole quilt? If so, how? Or, would you wash only the corners? and how would you do that. The fabric was not pre-washed.

I would ask the customer to make the decision.

Yeah!

:thumbup:

Did the corners become dirty while the quilt was in your care?
Or did the customer deliver it to you in that condition?

if they got dirty in my care i would fess up to customer and let her decide

....... and I'd be prepared to be paying a hefty price.
And if it came that way ... I'd tell the customer and let her decide.

How dirty are these corners?

Well, I don't do them for customers but none of my gift quilts are ever given without being washed. They naturally get a bit "icky" from unwashed fabric through to completed quilt and need a wash IMO. Plus I want to be sure nothing is going to come apart and I like the crinkled look.

I guess I wasn't clear, I made the entire quilt for the customer.
She has not seen it yet. It is complete except for the dirty corners.

In that case, I would launder the quilt before giving it to the customer. This way you can also check for bleeding fabrics and any seams which may come loose. Then you can do any minor repairs necessary.

I agree!

Yes, I would wash it before giving it to the custoomer.

Ditto I think so too. :thumbup: Good luck

Try some Oxymagic and a paper towel.

I think I would try something similar to this - but I'd use a clean cloth (paper towels always 'ball up' for me) - try either just warm water or a mild solution of a cleaner. Treat the corners like you are getting a "spot" out of something. Good luck & let us know how it goes.

I don't think I would wash it without her knowing. I would show her the corners and offer to launder it or give her a break in the price of the work you did. I would be afraid if I washed it, the colors might fade and you would have a bigger problem on hand to explain to her. Good luck--I'm sure she will have some understanding of the situation.

Wash it.

I have really good luck with the tide pen.

I would tell her before washing it ...

Have any of you ever tried dry cleaning a quilt? How would that work to prevent any fading?

How dark are the colors used in the quilt top? If you don't think they will fade I'd hand wash just the corners in cold water (you'll need help) and use a mild detergent and rinse well and hang in the shade on a clothesline. You can then press lightly or steam that section when dry. I would probably do one corner first just to make sure everything is okay. Is it just the bare corners, binding or a large section?

Definitely talk to the customer. The last thing you want to do is wash it and she has allergies...doesn't like your detergent...the unwashed fabric bleeds....you don't need those liabilities. :)

My understanding is that you should never dry clean a quilt. :)

I can't imagine making a quilt for someone and NOT washing it. If there are any problems you want to know about it before the recipient gets it, so you can address any possible problems. Frayed seams, bleeding colors, stains,etc.

I'd wash it....

If the fabrics were not prewashed I would get some Retayne and follow the directions on the bottle to the letter. That product will lock in the dyes in the fabrics. Hopefully it would remove any soiled areas as well though it's not a wash product. Be sure and very hot water when washing and pop into the dryer asap. I usually dry to slight damp and then hang over a rack to finish drying.

To me washing it would be part of the "making a quilt" process.

I would definitely check with the customer before I washed it. Did you prewash the material before making the quilt? Even if you did I would also use retayne if I were going to wash it or have the customer wash it using retayne that you might furnish. After using the retayne, then you will need to wash it like you would any other one that just needed washing. HOWEVER, my suggestion to you and to the customer, whoever washes it after using Retayne, I would also put at least 2 color catcher sheets in the wash even if the fabrics were pre-washed before making the quilt ASK ME HOW I KNOW!. But I would definitley check with the customer first and get her wishes. You might explain to her that when quilting you do handle a quilt constantly, and even with clean hands and workplaces, body oil can soil any thing, and dust from the air, no matter how clean your home is can accumulate on any area. Don't dryclean, that might set the dirty corners in permanently.
I would try as someone earlier posted to wash with a damp cloth just one corner and and press well to see how that turns out, before making an effort to wash the entire quilt. You may just have to wash each corner. If washing one corner doesn't work, then definitely check with the customer before washingthe entire quilt!!
Can you show us a pic?

Pictures of the quilt and the corners coming Monday. Right now the plan is to use a damp cloth dipped in a solution of Synthrapol and cold water to see if that cleans the corners before washing the quilt; then washing the whole quilt in Synthrapol. I will let you know how it works out. Thank you for the many suggestions