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May I suggest that you throw something simple into the dryer first--maybe a towel. I almost ruined a brand new afghan years ago using a dryer that had lost its heat control. Some yarns almost burned.

Worth a few minutes and few cents if you intend to use the laundromat's dryer.

"Good thing there are laundromats now thou, as NO WAY could I get down on these 77 yr. old knees"

You said it sister. May in Jersey who will be a great grannie end of August.

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Originally Posted by Great-great granny

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Originally Posted by patdesign

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Originally Posted by Great-great granny

MANY years ago when I 1st started quilting (before the days of too many laundromats), I read an article about washing quilts & have used this.

Using a mild soap, wash them in a bath tub, agitating them by GENTLY pushing them up & down. Drain & push water out (don't "wring"), repeat w/rinse water several times. Then lay on a sheet w/another sheet on top in the yard to dry.

Good thing there are laundromats now thou, as NO WAY could I get down on these 77 yr. old knees :cry:

Then of course laying it out may get unwanted deposits that would necessitate another washing. LOL Im 72 with 2 bad knees, I couldn't either. :lol:

Hi Pat, that's why I included "w/another sheet on top" in the yard to dry.

Also, noticed some on here mentioned 'hang over a line, shower, etc". Quilts are so heavy when wet, if hung over something, it could make the quilt tend to end up distorted & out of shape.

AGREE THAT WILL DO THE JOB MOST OF THE TIME, until you get a really wet one! :lol:

beautiful quilt, I always wash my quilts when done and then I line dry them, since I live in a townhouse by the water (lots of silt floating around) I put a clothesline in the garage just for my quilts, works great!

I wash all my king sized quilts in my washer .I do not let the machine agitate I soak it for 10 min. set the machine to spin out of wash and let it soak on rinse for 5 min. and then set on spin.I wash with shampoo. if it is gentle enough for your hair it is great for quilts.I have been doin g this for 10 years on my own personal quilts and they are in A one shape.I do have a close line.Is there any way you could string aline in your garage or from tree to tree or use a neighbors.I hang them wrong side out.Hope this helps.

I have a friend who has a front load washer -
Beware of the laundramat - they are not aways clean.

I use sheets on the grass to dry mine.

Use the laundry soap from a quilt store and if you would like send it to the cleaners and let them do it. They have all kinds of room and give them the soap you want them to use. It is beautiful. I sure she will love it forever.

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Originally Posted by AlwaysQuilting

Its a beautiful quilt.
I do just as you said.
I take each quilt to the laundrymat and use the jumbo front loaders (and throw in a couple color catchers). And I stop the dryer every couple minutes to un-roll it.
I use Dreft detergent. I figure if it gets baby items clean it'll get a quilt clean, and it's gentle.

I agree with Always Quilting - Dreft is best.

I prefer to wash my quilts in a laundry detergent that has as little in it as possible. I use the same soap I use for diapers (and no, you can't use Dreft on diapers) and it's always worked great. I've used both a Martha Stewart Eco-friendly soap from publix and an Eco-friendly bare-bones soap from whole foods. Whatever you use, read the ingredients. That can be a real eye-opener.

There is a special soap for quilts and I forget what the name of it is and am not home right now so can't tell you the name.