I'm trying to figure out what is the best way to wash a finished quilt. What brands of soap does everyone use?

woolite

Thanks! That's easy enough to find and not expensive!

If the fabrics are not pre-washed, you might want to throw in a dye catcher sheet. You can find htem in the supermarket.

I always use Synthrapol for the first wash. It is widely available online and in quilt shops. Synthrapol suspends dye in the water so it does not settle into other fabrics. That way I do not have to worry about small dye bleeds. If the water colors at all, I continue to use Synthrapol for subsequent washings until there are no more dyes bleeding.

I wash them in my regular laundry soap and dry them in the dryer. That's what my kids will do too. So this way if there are any problems I'll catch them before they get them. :-D

I use my Amway detergent for my HE washer. Just a touch.

I have tie-dyed for many years and Synthrapol always does a great job. I use many heavy concentrations of light and dark dyes, and the Synthrapol keeps them from muddying up the final results. Good stuff and a little goes a long way.

That is what I do. Although I do not have children, I do give some of my quilts away, and this is a good way to see how they will stand up to it.

Thank you all for your responses. I will give both Woolite and Synthrapol a try!

Yep that's what I do too. I do use a color catcher the first wash though.

great idea

That's what I do, too. I wash in warm and dry on hot. If anything is going to happen to it, I know before I give it away.

You need to be careful with Woolite, I believe that it has a bleaching agent in it. At least it used to, I was told to never wash my needlework (cross stitch) with it because of that.

Believe it or not, I wash in Mane Tamer. Horse shampoo, available at a tack and feed store. Its great, no fade, and gentle. I always throw in a dye catcher sheet too.

me too!

Me too. I use Tide and Downy Ultra so I wash my quilts in COLD water with Tide and Downy and put in the dryer and that's what I recommend to everyone who gets one of my quilts - easy care. With two patriotic quilts I did have some red bleeding issues and got the red out quickly by soaking in biz but that's the only time. Being a patchwork scrap quilter, my quilts have a variety of colors in them.

My favourite is Orvus, also an animal washing soap, from tack/feed store.

Since I prewash all my fabrics before I make the quilt, I just use a regular detergent in cold water and then hang dry my quilts.

I use regular Tide and throw a cup of white vinegar in the washer. It sets the colors.

I wash my quilts with the rest of my laundry. Like it was said before, I figure that's what the recipient will do. My biggest shock is how well the quilt holds together. :o

I use Orvus for all of my laundry. A big jar of it is about $22 at our local Sounthern State store but it lasts me months. It works great on quilts or any other laundry.

Front loader washers are easier on your fabric.

Funny how everyone has the same thoughts with this one. :D

I do the same thing and I have the new set of Kenmores that are being advertised now that have the 5 motions to the wash. I call it the "Fingers of Death" if it lives through that then it will live through anything!!

But I wash on the normal/casual setting and dry on the normal cycle.

Billy

I use Quilt soap from a quilting store. It does not take much.

I use Synthrapol or Orvus (it's far cheaper at a farm supply than at your quilt store). I avoid Woolite. Color Catcher -- yes. HE machine on gentle -- yes. Dryer -- yes but on fluff only, then I lay the quilt out on sheets to finish air drying.

I printed some washing instructions off the internet--sorry I can't find them in my "favorites," or I'd give you the link. It was a nice sheet that I now hand out with my quilts when I give them as gifts. One of the things on that sheet is to wash them in a front-loader. Top loaders pull at the threads when they agitate. Front loaders don't agitate, and so they are easier on the quilts. If you don't have a front-loader, take a good book or some hand-sewing and go to a laundromat.

I go with the Orvus too.

is synthrapol sold in grocery stores, I've never heard of this

Same here! Except I do have children, lol.

What is a dye catcher sheet? Brand? Where to buy?

That's what works for me, knock on wood, I have never had a bleed yet even with my son's cranberry and white quilt.

Orvis, it is sold at quilt shops. but you can get it at Tractor Supply. It is used for washing horses. I know, crazy. Cheeper at supply store. Very gentle. I know someone that washes her hair with it.

I was just wondering if you have a front loading machine, will synthrapol still be able to work with the low water level?

I have no clue as to what to use. I guess I would use my cheap laundry soap. Penny

I heard this too, which is why I don't use it either for needlework etc.

That amazes me as I thought they advertised to use for all your hand washables. Guess formulations have changed. I was considering getting woolite for my quilts but tide has never hurt them but I do NOT buy the tide with bleach either.

The dye catcher sheets are called "Shout Color Catcher". It comes in a box. I think that there are 3. You can get them at Walmart or your local supermarket. They're great and they really do work!

I just bought Carbona Dye Grabber at JoAnn's today. 50% off until Saturday.
Connie in Indy

retayne or synthrapol the first 2 times. orvus after that.