Laundry issues with a rag quilt???

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05-28-2015, 04:58 AM

#11

IowaStitcher

Junior Member

Join Date: Jul 2010

Posts: 269

I saw a clip on a quilt show about "fluffing" a rag quilt with a nylon string weed eater. Then shaking or vacuuming to take out some of the excess before the initial wash.

05-28-2015, 05:52 AM

#12

ruthrings

Super Member

Thread Starter

Join Date: Oct 2011

Location: San Diego

Posts: 1,200

I'm glad that possibility occurred to me. Thanks all for your advice. Laundromat, here I come.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManiacQuilter2

My friend washed a rag quilt in her home and had a large plumber's bill to pay for that mistake. So we always would take our newly cut rag quilts to the coin-op laundry. Just NOT worth the risk of paying for a plumber to come out and unclog your drain.

05-28-2015, 09:32 AM

#13

slbram17

Super Member

Join Date: Aug 2009

Location: United States

Posts: 2,222

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruthrings

I'm just finishing a rag quilt using denim, shirt fabric, and flannel squares on the back. I have 1 inch seam allowances and I'm snipping the seam allowances perpendicularly (is that a word?) to the seam. I envision a huge amount of raveling. Am I going to have trouble with threads clogging the drain of my washing machine? Have any of you experienced this?

OK, I have not done this since I haven't made a rag for a while, but I have read where you can use a butter knife to comb the seams before you wash it. This helps reduce the threads that go into the washer.

Serita

05-28-2015, 11:25 AM

#14

Geri B

Super Member

Join Date: Jun 2011

Location: Illinois

Posts: 9,018

Quote:

Originally Posted by nanacc

I always take rag quilts and very large quilts to the coin-op laundry in town. No need to take a chance.

Yes, that's cheaper than having your pipes unplugged by a plumber! ....or burning out washer/dryer...... Not worth the risk

05-28-2015, 02:39 PM

#15

nena

Super Member

Join Date: Jun 2009

Location: WV

Posts: 2,800

I had to get a new washer because of a rag quilt. Never again! It was homespun fabric.

05-28-2015, 05:13 PM

#16

Dyan

Senior Member

Join Date: Jul 2011

Location: Ohio

Posts: 608

I have a laundry tub next to my washer, I take the drain hose and tie a old sock around it, and let the water drain through it, I get enough lint to about fill a 2 liter pop bottle, But I wash them here at home.

05-28-2015, 06:35 PM

#17

Pam B

Super Member

Join Date: Jul 2007

Location: central Indiana

Posts: 1,166

I almost always take in town to a laundromat. We have a septic tank at our house and I don't want to mess anything up with that. The one time I did it at home, the next time I did laundry my machine would not agitate. I ended up pulling miles of tangled strings of thread out from under and around the agiatator. I cleaned the dryer filter often, also.

05-29-2015, 01:52 AM

#18

ruby2shoes

Senior Member

Join Date: Dec 2012

Location: Australia

Posts: 732

I have only made 3 rag quilts and had no problems with them in my front loader washer; did get a goodly amount of fluff out of the dryer but no real drama.