I was wondering if anyone could tell me what kind of soap they would recomend washing an older quilt in. There is so much wonderful wisdom on this board I figured I would ask and see what everyone else washes their new and older quilts in. I have heard Orvus is good, but I don't know for sure. I have a blue and white quilt I got from a flea market that is in good shape (not real fragile)that I would love much more if it was washed. Also does anyone have any advice as to what the best way to wash and dry it would be? :D

i was told to use woolite with cold water only and to use a cycle that doesnt aggitate or use front load washer. on drying if you use dryer to pull it out before it is all the way dry and to lay it out to dry the rest of the way. thats what i was told from lqs owner but maybe someone else can also give you an idea.

I use a detergent that I get at the quilt shop. I double rinse them to make sure its all gone. Then I line dry them.

I use Orvus.

I use OxyClean

I was given an antique quilt that had been in box for quite a while. I wanted to hand quilt it but decided it had to hold up being washed before I put all that work into it. So I put it in the washing machine on regular cycle and ivory soap pwdr nad it came out beautiful. Then I layered it with my batt and backing and hand quilted it. It is a Sun Bonnet Sue and I love it. However I am not sure I could recommend doing this with all old quilts.

i wash mine on a delicate/gentle cold water wash using dreft soap - don't remember why i had some, but i do.....Put vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser to help get rid of the soap...Then i laid them on the back porch to dry.

I use baby shampoo. It rinses well, and after soaking it seems to do a good job cleaning.

I was just going to say this. Baby shampoo is a very gentle cleaner. You don't need much in the washer. It works well as a cleaner because most contain a bit of mild detergent.

I wash it with the soap I purchased at my LQS, using my washing machine on the "handwash" setting.