Washing Machine with Accessible Lint Filter: Rag Quilts
 

I love making flannel rag quilts, but my fancy new washing machine does NOT have an accessible lint filter.

Can anyone recommend a washing machine model...older is fine...that works well for washing rag quilts, where you can clean out the lint filter as it plugs up in those first washings, where the ragged fibres all wash out of the quilt?

Make and model number would help me in my search.

Many thanks!

You might try asking on r/Appliances

I did a quick Google search, but it sounds like most of these newer machines with "removable" lint traps require you to remove the front panel of the machine.

I'm confused ... as I did not know that washing machines had lint filters.
Though it makes sense ... especially under the conditions of ragged quilts.

So, my only suggestion would be to check before you buy, whether it be an old model or brand spanking new!

As for lint filters in dryers ... they certainly are variable as to their size and abilities.

Good Luck!

I would wash rag quilts at the laundrymat.

I am fine removing the front panel, that is how I cleaned the pre-pump lint filter in all my previous washing machines.

New washers don't have accessible or any pre-pump lint filter, they depend on the drum holes serving that function, but for rag quilts, the fibres get through those holes and clog the pump! Thank heaven my machine was still on warranty when I learned that.

So. I want to buy an older model that has a lint filter I can clean myself. The washer gets a ton of lint in it for the first rag quilt wash or two and I don't feel good about leaving a laundromat with that mess, besides the fact the nearest laundromat is about a half hour drive away!

Could you put it in the dryer on "air fluff" (tumbling with no heat) for a bit first and let the dryer lint filter catch a lot first?

I don't think the dryer would get much of the fluff out of the newly made rag quilt. It seems the bulk really comes from the agitation in the water of the washing machine.

Have you tried power washing, with only water, the quilt outside on a clothesline then brushing the rags with a chenille brush? Then put in washing machine. It makes amazing rags, looks like chenille. There is a well-known quilter who uses a grass trimmer to rag his quilts. Maybe Ricky Tims or John Flynn. I can't remember.

one by one that sounds like a whole lotta work!

I took my rag quilts to the laundromat and had to alert the attendant to clean the machine after I used it. Then, the lint filter on the dryer needed to be changed before the quilt was fully dry. I think I'd try making it wet and then tossing it into the dryer before washing. There seemed to be a lot of lint in the dryer.

My front loader did, was a pain in the butt to clean. But it did help catching lint and other things like tinsel or other small stringy objects. I don't think my current Maytag does, I guess I should find out...lol Mine doesn't

Not much help with the washing machine part, but after washing I shake my raggy quilts outside. Removes a lot of threads and then proceed to machine dry. The threads are all small enough that they won't cause and issue to the birds who may use them for nest. They don't seem to make getting to the washing machine filters any easier than they make sewing machines easy to get into to clean.

I have one that's only a few years old and it has an external lint trap that's easy to get to. I don't know what model it is, but I'll look today and report back to you.

Thanks Tropit!

My machine is a Kenmore, series 100. it has a lint trap on the top surface. I don't know when we got it. My dh might have inherited it from his mom a few years ago. its a simple, all white model. I can't get to the placard that gives more details. It works great.

Unfortunately, Kenmore is just a rebadge Sears did on any number of manufacturers (they didn't actually make any appliances). You'd need the full model number and the "magic decoder" to know who actually produced that washer.

OK...I'll see if I can find it today.

So far, in spite of sending out queries to various guilds etc. I have had no feedback on anyone on what washing machines they have that can safely handle those initial washings of their rag quilts.

So if you know anyone who makes rag quilts, could you ask them for me what washing machine model works for them?

Maybe first wet it with a spray bottle of water and then put in dryer. Most of the loose threads will come out. Then wash the quilt in the washer.

TBH - I Googled this after you first posted. 100% of the results I found said people who make rag quilts go to a commercial laundromat for the first wash or two. Home machines just aren't designed to handle the lint load.

Thanks mkc I think that is the route I will take, and clear the use of the machines with the laundromat owner first. I am really reluctant to just leave a big mess.

I'm sorry, but I can't get to the serial number. It's on the back and I can't pull out the machine. :(

Thanks Tropit!