So I was super excited today when DH bought me a plastic storage set to put all my fabric in. Up until this point, my growing stash has been in plastic bags on the couch and floor in our dining room.

So I was very frustrated and a little annoyed when I found that the cat (who needs to be spayed) has apparently 'sprayed' on some of my lovely fabric! :( :cry: It smells absolutely horrible - so I thought I'd ask what's the best way to wash them? I've NEVER washed my fabric before and attempted to wash two pieces in the sink, but they don't dry very well and I think that will be a very painstaking method if it even works.

Any suggestions?

I would just put them in the wash on gentle cycle and cold waterwith a regular detergent. Make sure you throw in a couple of color catchers per load.

I would definitely put them into the washing machine with soap and oxiclean.

It'll take more than detergent if I remember that smell correctly. Baking soda, Oxyclean, vinegar, Boraxo??? Any might work. Pinesol would work, but I wouldn't be able to use the fabric afterwards because I'm allergic to it.

there is a product called urine out, that i have had good luck with when it comes to animals

I had heard that you need to serge the edges before washing - is this true?

You don't HAVE to stitch the edge, it just keeps it from fraying, however.....maybe try this... http://www.sewaquilt.com/prevent-fraying-fabric.html (clipping the corners)

as far as what to use to get the smell out, there is a product that you can buy at walmart or any sporting goods store. It is called Hunters Specialties SCENT-A-WAY it is a laundry detergant that really works! If you don't get 100% of the smell out they will just go right back to it and pee on it again!

Soak in Oxy-clean and drain, then wash with a good detergent. Add vinegar to your rinse. You can also add baking soda to a hot wash water. Just don't put all the additives in one water.

Line dry if possible.

Thanks so much for all the advice. I really appreciate it. Luckily there's only about one bag of fabric that she got to (and a box of several hundred 2.5" squares...but I might not even mess with them...).

My little boy chihuahua (Tinker) should be Stinker - he occasionally tries to "mark" in the house, especially one corner of my white bedspread. :?

I bought a product called Urine Trouble (by the same company that makes Mary Ellen's Best Press) and it does a good job of breaking down all the chemicals in the urine so that they don't attract the dog back to that same spot. It gets out the stains and spots, too.

There are other brands that use the same kinds of enzymes to remove the chemicals that attract animals, just look in the carpet cleaning section of your grocery store. Febreze makes one, Resolve makes one - check the label to see if it has these cleaning enzymes.

I wish I could find some way of training a dog not to mark - I love my pets but this is the one thing I can't handle - eliminating in the house.