DogHouseMom

Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to wash a bunch of them in the sink with Dawn and rinse in vinegar to make sure all the chemicals are gone - mostly because I don't want lingering chemicals to stain the quilt down the road.

Not too worried about the flammability aspect as the quilt will stay in my home - not a gift - and as we don't smoke in the house I can't imagine it will be a problem. But I will certainly keep this in mind if I ever decide to make a string quilt as a gift for anyone.

I've been saving loads of them in my used Tide-Pod's containers. It's time to dig them out and use them!!

Peckish

Don't get me started on those laundry and dishwasher pods. I have so many friends who have had to pay repairmen to come repair their machines because those pods don't dissolve completely, and they gum up the works. I'm sticking to liquid detergents.

sewmuch

Good to know, haven't tried them yet, now I won't....
Interesting topic on the dryer sheets, I have always used muslim as a backing, something new to try...

Mkotch

I had no idea that dryer sheets would be flammable outside the dryer. I used to recommend using them, but now I'm not so sure.

I have made string quilt blocks without any foundation at all with good success, as long as I iron them well after adding a string or two. I really hate removing paper from the backs.

quilterpurpledog

I prefer lightweight non woven, non-fusible interfacing for applique (and would use it for string quilts if I made string quilts) because it is made for that purpose. I am a re-cycle,r but, I think using used dryer sheets is just a bit too far for me. There are just too many unknowns about the chemicals they contain when it comes to latent effects.

ILoveToQuilt

Just a note on using dryer sheets in the dryer. Make sure you clean your lint trap (the screen which catches the lint) religiously. Clean out the lint and WASH the filter well. The chemicals and scents in the sheets leave a residue on the lint trap which prohibits the flow of air through the filter. The build-up of the chemicals can cause a dryer fire. Dryer fires can burn your entire house down, so please take the couple of minutes to wash your trap. BTW, I never leave my dryer running if I am not at home as an extra precaution.

redstilettos

Peckish, you bring up a good point about concentration. After a while, the impact of many sheets could be too intense. (I put bounce sheets in my car to prevent mice while it is stored for the winter, and in spring...whew! I smell like a laundry mat when I drive it for a while!)

I would think the poster is hopefully talking about the used ones? That way the smell is a non-issue?
Unsure....

Geoduck

I have been saving dryer sheets and finally decided to try one for a string block - and it will be the last one I use for a quilt. They may be OK for a wall hanging but waaay too stiff for a quilt.

Chris Denno

I use cheap muslin and leave it there.

Peckish

Ah but you missed that tidbit in my post - I was using used dryer sheets, and the smell was still definitely an issue.