posted on May 19, 2002 05:40:07 PM
Hello....Is there way to launder old quilts with minimal soiling (just mustiness and light discolorations)or must they always be handled professionally? Have no experience with doing this. How can I find "expert" cleaners? Hate to rely on yellow pages, but this may be only way. Help, please, with any insight.
posted on May 19, 2002 07:33:18 PM
Why not auction it as it is and have the person that buys it do the laundering. I think that would be the best if you don't know what to do. The person bidding on ti would surely know what to do.
posted on May 19, 2002 08:39:16 PM
I agree to sell it like it is and describe it completely.
If it is not in a fragile condition, you might hang it outside if possible to air it out, or just lay it out on the carpet and put a fan on it for a while. This might help some of the mustiness.
posted on May 20, 2002 06:16:38 AM
If it is a smaller quilt, you can put it in one of those dry-cleaning bags & put it directly in your dryer (lo-med setting). They come out looking & smelling fresh.
Anytime you clean a quilt, you run the risk of damaging it. Spot clean when you can & air it out (outside out of direct sun or in dryer on "air dry" regularly. If you really must wash it, I suggest going to a laundermat & using one of those giant washers, cold water. They are pretty gentle. Use a laundry soap specifically for hand-washables. Dry on LOW SETTING!
posted on May 20, 2002 08:10:33 AM
We have had the best luck with a soap named "Orvas"(sp). I don't have it in front of me. You can find this a most Tack Stores, horse supplies. On a gentle cycle and air dry. However it is best to sell your quilt unwashed. The musty smell could be from moisture and could have possibly weakened the stitching.
posted on May 20, 2002 10:03:57 AM
I recently bought a very old quilt and the person who sold it must have put in a bag with what smells just like arm & hammer carpet powder freshener that you sprinkle on .... I can tell it was not washed but has a nice scent and I am going to use as is since there are no stains or dirt
posted on May 20, 2002 05:51:55 PM
I've bought a number of old dirty quilts at auctions very cheap. I took them home, soaked them in the bathtub with Tide and one of the stain removers. After soaking it, I let out the water, but in clean water and squashed it up and down and rinsed it twice. Then I hang them outside for a day in the sun. Lots of trouble but I like old quilts.
posted on May 20, 2002 05:54:24 PM
I should have added that I have previously washed an old Civil War family quilt and hand woven coverlet the same way. They didn't fade. I was told to do this by a museum curator. I was told not to have them drycleaned.
posted on May 21, 2002 03:35:34 PM
In order to protect the fabric now and for future years, Orvus is the only way to go. If you can't find it at Farm & Fleet or similar store, you can get small quantities at a quilt supply shop and some fabric stores.
Fill the bathtub, adding Orvus. Place quilt in neatly and let soak for a couple of hours. Rinse over and over and over again! Do not wring, support the quilt when moving it--try to put as little stress on the wet fabric as possible. Gently roll in lots of towels to remove as much water as possible. Then lay on a freshly mown lawn out of direct sunlight and it should dry in less time than you expect.
I would be EXTREMELY upset if someone sent me a smelly dirty quilt or one that had been incorrectly cleaned. A quilt is history and needs proper care so future generations can enjoy it.
However, if it is one of those "Made In China" things with stitching so big you can catch a toe in it, just throw it in the washer and dryer. Those quilts are disposable.
regularly. If you really must wash it, I suggest going to a laundermat & using one of those giant washers, cold water. They are pretty gentle. Use a laundry soap specifically for hand-washables. Dry on LOW SETTING!