Advice of Washing or Not Washing Garage Sale Fabric?

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10-19-2011, 02:59 AM

#41

piepatch

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2010

Posts: 2,909

I would wash it! If I know it is garage sale fabric, I personally wouldn't buy it unless it had been washed. I see some of the fabric being offered in classified as "washed", so I know people will buy it already washed. We are advised to wash all thrift store washables before we use them to eliminate the possibility of bugs, and bed bugs in particular.

10-19-2011, 03:26 AM

#42

Joset

Super Member

Join Date: Feb 2011

Location: New Rockford, ND

Posts: 2,003

i wash all my fabric before i use it. and that i would wash before bought in to my house.

10-19-2011, 03:55 AM

#43

#1piecemaker

Super Member

Join Date: Oct 2007

Location: Ashdown, AR

Posts: 9,238

I think you would have to be your own judge. I would certainly unfold it and examine it for stains, etc. I learned to do that even with new fabric. You just never know what is inside.

10-19-2011, 03:55 AM

#44

angelarose

Senior Member

Join Date: Jul 2010

Location: Broadway, Shenandoah Valley, VA

Posts: 478

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tartan

You could go directly to the laundry mat and put in the hot dryer for longer than 30 minutes. This is what I read that 30 minutes of heat kills bed bugs? That is the pest I would be most worried about.

The idea about the dryer sounds like a good one. If I didn't use the dryer, I'd wash it first before using it or before putting it on sale. I'd feel better about its being pre-washed. That just me. Good luck :-D
A.

10-19-2011, 04:06 AM

#45

angelarose

Senior Member

Join Date: Jul 2010

Location: Broadway, Shenandoah Valley, VA

Posts: 478

Quote:

Originally Posted by angelarose

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tartan

I just wrote an attachment and haven't any idea where it went to, but what I wrote is this:
Washing, drying and ironing the fabric would help show you the quality of each piece. If I'm wrong, please someone PM me.
Thanks,
A.

10-19-2011, 04:28 AM

#46

AprilG

Senior Member

Join Date: Aug 2011

Location: Orfordville, WI

Posts: 363

I use my "steam sanitizer" setting on my dryer for 20 to 30 minutes. My new dryer tells me how long by the weight of the load. I didn't realize that I would need an engineer's degree to use the darn thing!

10-19-2011, 04:34 AM

#47

alwayslearning

Super Member

Join Date: Feb 2011

Location: Central Florida

Posts: 1,465

Why should someone else buy something you would not bring into your home? Just think of you being on the receiving end and treat the fabric the way you would want it to be treated if you were buying it and paying shipping.

10-19-2011, 04:53 AM

#48

cherrio

Super Member

Join Date: Jun 2010

Location: Ohio, the land of 4 seasons. sometimes all in the same week!

Posts: 2,487

Quote:

Originally Posted by bearisgray

As long as a note is attached to the item when it's posted, I think it would be up to the buyer to do whatever.

There are some that do not like to work with washed fabrics.

I would wash it/say that it has been washed. if they want it they buy-if not/they pass. simple. do what is right for you.

10-19-2011, 04:54 AM

#49

grumpy90650

Senior Member

Join Date: Mar 2010

Location: league city, texas

Posts: 619

as stated above, the epidemic of bed bugs, and other critters is rampant right now, so, even tho i do not usually wash fabric, i would at least dry it, and maybe just rinse it in hot water, then dried...and state on your description that the fabric has been washed...

10-19-2011, 04:58 AM

#50

MissJMac

Senior Member

Join Date: Oct 2010

Location: North Kansas City, MO

Posts: 561

I buy fabric from thrift stores and garage sales all the time, but none of it finds its way into my sewing room until it goes through the laundry room. It may be sealed in plastic, etc. but you have no way of knowing where its been or what its been exposed to.