Washing Quilts
 

What to use when washing our quilts? It seems that regular laundry detergent does affect color after a time. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Personally, that's all I use...same detergent that I use for all of my laundry. Wash in warm water, dry in dryer till done. I guess if your're concerned about fading, during the prewash phase, use vinegar to help set the colors??? Supposed to help retain colors but I've not done it myself.

I wash in cold water, regular detergent , about every three weeks. because they are used on bed all the time. Put in dryer until dry. joyce j

Do a search on this topic. I use special quilt washing stuff that I think that I got a Joanns or my LQS but my LQS recommends stuff that is used by farmers to wash horses etc. You can buy it at a farm supply store by the gallon but it is very expensive and a gallon goes a long way. I will air dry my quilts to save wear and tear that the dryer does to the clothes.

i use ivory snow since most of ones i do are baby quilts for charity

I just use cold water and regular detergent.

I use Tide coldwater, (no scent) and Shout colorcatchers and dry in dryer.

I also use Tide cold water, dry in the dryer until nearly dry, then hang outside if it's nice out for the fresh air smell.

I use Orvus paste which is a concentrate. I happen to go to a Feed and Grain store (birdseed) and they ordered a 7 pound container for me. 10 years later, I'm still using it, but I will have to order some soon. It's about $26 and can be ordered through janitor supply companies, veterinary companies, feed stores and the like. Typically used as a horse shampoo, it's very gentle and often recommended for quilts and fine needlework as it doesn't have the additives common in most detergents. For my water, I use between 1/8 and 1/4 cup per wash - either one large quilt or 2 smaller quilts (or one quilt and other stuff). You can also use Woolite - it does not contain bleach of any kind. In either case, I use cold, not warm or hot, to wash quilts.

I disagree with posters who say that they just use regular detergent. Most detergents will fade your colors over time because they contain bleach or variants.

As far as drying, I usually hang outside to dry (for thick batts, fluff for 10 minutes on low in dryer after you take off line), but if I need to use the dryer, I set it on low or delicate and dry until just damp. Then lay out to finish drying. Drying it to death just shortens the quilt's life.

[edited to add] Just wanted to add that if you wanted to use regular detergent and dryer to clean/dry your quilt, there is no reason why you can't. Lots of women do. You should simply know that your quilt will not last as long.

I've also heard of using Orvus paste. I've been intending to go down to Coastal Farm and Ranch Supply, because I know they have it, but I just haven't made the trip yet. After reading the previous post I think I will make that trip sooner than later.