When you pre-wash fabric, should you add softener?

I read somewhere not to use fabric softener, but they did say why. Interesting question. I will be curious to see the replies.

Me too, Sadiemae. I have some in the washer right now. lol Guess I'll just have to stop it before it goes into the rinse cycle.

I don't remember why, but I do know everything I've read says do not add softener.

From what I've heard, fusibles do not adhere well to fabric that has been "softened"

Some people are allergic to fabric softeners.

Softeners make it soft, so if we want to starch to make stiff for cutting, sort of a waste, ?????

Yep! But I always use softener because of the static.

Good point, but then do you starch it before you cut it?

Fabric softeners are fats. I only use fabric softeners on synthetic fabrics.

I never use softener until project is completely done then use it.

For a great alternative to fabric softener, use this:
a small amount of vinegar in the rinse water. Just regular white vinegar. No joke! Your fabrics/laundry do not smell! And the vinegar helps with static too.
I use a Downy ball, and put my vinegar in that. Have done it that way for a long time! :)

it depends... if you are going to use any fusable product or starch you should not add fabric softener.
when prewashing i never add fabric softener, i do add it when i wash the finished quilt. but never when prewashing, in fact when i prewash i run the fabric through the cycles twice, first with a small amount of detergent the second time without so i know there is nothing left in the fabric that may cause a problem no matter what i'm going to do...be it using a fusable or dyeing the fabric.

For the dryer, I got some blue balls with spikes on them, (or that's what they look like). I got them at Bed Bath & Beyond or some where like that, and then found them at Walmart. My Walmart has them for about $5.00 right now. I have 2 sets of 2 in my dryer, and they work well to keep the static away.
Make sure the balls are soft, and not hard as a rock!! A pair that I first got at Walmart got quickly taken back and exchanged. They went THUMP, THUMP,THUMP in my dryer and I couldn't stand the noise. The soft ones are quiet.

I don't use softener - I don't even always use detergent.

One thing to remember is that some fusible weg will not stick well if you use dryer sheets.

I don't use softner because I want them to be stiff when I cut. Static isn't a problem because of starching and pressing. I don't press fabric until I'm ready to cut. When I bring a new haul in, I wash it, fold it and stash it until an inspiration.

i don't prewash cotton fabric..never had a problem. i only prewash flannel because it shrinks more than cotton.

i had wash/soak and air dry on a towel,batiks..because i have had the colors run.

i wash after the quilt is all done, before it leaves the house..

Do you pre-wash flannel if you're making a rag quilt? I thought it wouldn't fray if it was pre-washed.

No, never.

no, i don't prewash it for a raggedy quilt. what makes it fray, are the cuts you make..then after it is washed, it will fray beautifully!
cotton and flannel shrink differently, with flannel being the most ..sometimes on baby quilts i mix cotton and flannel.
and of course, this is just my humble opinion!

i used to wash all my fabric..then spend a day pressing it..when i first started quilting. not anymore. i think the colors in fabrics are made differently than they used to be.
occasionally i use a color catcher in the wash with a quilt..not very often.
if your not sure if the color will run, wash it. better safe than sorry. but me personally, no problems.

and I NEVER wash nickles/pre-packaged charms or jelly rolls.

what are nickles...? oops, besides the 5 cent piece :lol:

I double wash as well, with detergent only the first time and without anything the second run through. Then, I hang the material on the line to dry, or inside if the weather doesn't permit. Then, no static!

I'm confused about the fats thing. Does that mean the fabric will become a dirt magnet like the spot on the carpet where the milk spilt? I had never thought of that. I always use fabric softner unless I will be fusing which is hardly ever.

5 inch charm squares..
and then there are 10" squares

I never use softener on anything.

softner makes fabric harder to cut
no softner fabric still a bit stif

why do sum quilters wash quilt after they are finished
bought one from usa all collours had run

i never pre wash
if i think it might run i test it first

If I want to avoid static, I use a dryer sheet. It accomplishes the same thing, but doesn't leave the film on the fabric that a fabric softener does. I don't use softener simply because I don't use it on my towels. (Although there is no relationship.) If I'm not going to wear it, I don't use softener. I only use softener to avoid wrinkles in my clothing.

I took a couple quilting classes, and this is what I was taught

Rinse your fabric only no soap no nothing

dry fabric for about 15 to 20 mins, then it is easier to iron, as it's still damp!

I have never questioned the teacher, as she is in a Guild!

TreeFrog

I'm the oddball on this one. I do wash all my fabrics with detergent before using, and then (horrors!) use a softener sheet in the dryer. I'm a cheapskate and usually wash the new fabrics along with other colorfast articles to make a full load. I don't, however, use any fusible materials or basting sprays, so the softener doesn't matter much. I did start starching material before cutting, and so far the starch has worked well even with the softener. The vinegar softener is wonderful, too, because it doesn't leave any residues. I'll have to rethink the softener issue when I start doing some applique. I'm grateful you asked the question.

The reason you wash the fabric in the first place is to remove the "finish" put on by the manufacturer and to pre-shrink the material before use.

If you use fabric softener you are adding back a "finish" which can make the material hard to applique, adhere to stabilizers, etc. You want your fabric to be free of additives/finishes and to be the finished size when you cut it and quilt it.

i dont because i want as many chemicals as i can get out of the material , but when i iron it i go crazy with the starch
dont over dry it so much that you get a lot of static in the material sometimes i take it out of the dryer when it is just a bit short of being all the way dry and iron

Great idea Mariposa, Thank you!

I prewash because I have had flannel shrink up on me. If you mix manufacturers, some may shrink more than others, voice of experience speaking here. Not fun when your quilt is warped!!

For those that prefer not to pre-wash, here are some of the things that MIGHT happen when they ARE washed.

The fabrics might bleed (the dyes in the fabrics)
The fabrics might shrink
The fabrics might shrink unevenly
The fabrics may become very limp and/or wrinkled when the sizing is removed

In my experience, these things can happen with LQS fabrics as well as fabrics from chain stores.

But hey, if you-all enjoy gambling - don't let me spoil the excitement and anticipation of the washing results.

I remember hearing not to use softners on childrens PJ's- makes them flamable. I stopped using altogether - so my clothes are rough????!!! LOL

Or not.

If the dye isn't set in the original fabric it isn't likely to set in any fabric that picks it up, it'll wash out eventually.

Cotton fabric is guaranteed to wrinkle and need ironing after washing.

I've even used washed and unwashed fabrics in the same quilt. Couldn't tell the difference after the quilt was washed.

I said it's a gamble. Sometimes one wins. Sometimes one loses. Sometimes it's a tie (but not very often).

well, i've always had trouble with fusible web working for me - UNTIL this week when i actually WASHED my fabric like the directions said - PERFECT - bonded very well. DUH! surprising what following directions will do.

Thanks everyone. Interesting answers here. I guess it's a matter of personal choice for everyone.

The reason I asked is because the fabric came from a house that hasn't been aired out in months and the fabrics had been stored for a long time, they smell musty.

I've only washed a few of the pieces. Think the rest will be washed without the softener.