Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Pre-wash Fabric to Eliminate Bugs!!! >
  • Pre-wash Fabric to Eliminate Bugs!!!

  • Pre-wash Fabric to Eliminate Bugs!!!

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 07-01-2011, 10:15 AM
      #21  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Oct 2010
    Posts: 647
    Default

    Around here I have heard the flying brown bugs called wood roaches. At least they aren't disease laden like cockroaches. They don't try to attack food or hide in cracks, but they do like wood even painted. Usually they are only active for about a month so if yours are like mine they will be gone soon.
    Kat Sews is offline  
    Old 07-01-2011, 10:17 AM
      #22  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Jul 2010
    Posts: 1,789
    Default

    Seal your fabric up in a plastic bag and leave it for several days, preferably in a hot place(trunk of car?) that should kill any hitchikers. We do this all the time with DH's hunting clothes. Used to do this with the kids bags of bedding/clothes after camp too. Lack of air plus heat kills them.
    bakermom is offline  
    Old 07-01-2011, 07:10 PM
      #23  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Jun 2011
    Location: Michigan. . .FINALLY!!!!
    Posts: 6,726
    Default

    I am a faithful pre-washer! I am allergic to the chemicals that are on the fabrics that make them look all nice and crisp! After touching new fabrics, my hands will become itchy and break out and it takes several days to weeks to calm it down. It happens all the time when I go through a fabric store because, as most of you are, a fabric toucher. I have to wash my hands immediately and apply a prescription cream. If I sew something with unwashed fabric, I pay the price!!! I wash in warm water, gentle cycle, no fab softener and iron with Mary Ellen's Best Press.
    auntpiggylpn is offline  
    Old 07-01-2011, 07:19 PM
      #24  
    Super Member
     
    Moonpi's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Mar 2007
    Location: Central FL
    Posts: 4,829
    Default

    eek! Glad I'm a pre-washer!
    Moonpi is offline  
    Old 07-01-2011, 07:24 PM
      #25  
    Banned
     
    Join Date: Dec 2009
    Location: Enid, OK
    Posts: 8,273
    Default

    being from the SOUTH..I hate cockroaches...to me they mean FILTH...I can not stand the thought of them and have seen them thriving in elecrtical appliances, and cardboard the most! They LOVE cardboard and fabric...

    Right now you need to BOMB your room...leaving ALL drawers and closet doors wide open...

    THEN you can buy this stuff called Roach Proof...it is a powder that comes in a plastic bottle and you snip the end off and it sort of POOFS out..put that around all the baseboards of the room and anywhere else you think they might run to!

    THis stuff is also great for silver fish and spiders....LOVE IT...even had it shipped to Italy to use there...

    I wish you luck...and yes everyone should always wash their fabric when they get it...if not for bugs, then the 37 carcinogens that are on it!
    jaciqltznok is offline  
    Old 07-01-2011, 07:26 PM
      #26  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Jun 2011
    Location: Michigan. . .FINALLY!!!!
    Posts: 6,726
    Default

    Originally Posted by jaciqltznok
    being from the SOUTH..I hate cockroaches...to me they mean FILTH...I can not stand the thought of them and have seen them thriving in elecrtical appliances, and cardboard the most! They LOVE cardboard and fabric...

    Right now you need to BOMB your room...leaving ALL drawers and closet doors wide open...

    THEN you can buy this stuff called Roach Proof...it is a powder that comes in a plastic bottle and you snip the end off and it sort of POOFS out..put that around all the baseboards of the room and anywhere else you think they might run to!

    THis stuff is also great for silver fish and spiders....LOVE IT...even had it shipped to Italy to use there...

    I wish you luck...and yes everyone should always wash their fabric when they get it...if not for bugs, then the 37 carcinogens that are on it!
    AMEN!!!!
    auntpiggylpn is offline  
    Old 07-02-2011, 03:56 AM
      #27  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Oct 2010
    Posts: 853
    Default

    Ewww...these posts are enough to scare me away from buying fabrics in certain places. Not! But, I will be very careful. We are not apt to purchase used fabric, but this can happen anywhere I suppose.

    I sent a queen-sized double wedding ring to an Oklahome long arm quilter once. It came back with a large bug quilted right in between the top and the batting. I had a terrible time getting that out and repairing the stitches. They did not make any adjustment and I never sent them another quilt to do. Yuck.

    Roach proof is mostly boric acid and I have used that a lot in Mississippi, Georgia and even Tennessee. It does work and is not that expensive. Good luck in removing your problem!
    purrfectquilts is offline  
    Old 07-02-2011, 04:48 AM
      #28  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: May 2010
    Location: Fort Worth, TX
    Posts: 1,343
    Default

    I live in TX and have never had bugs in my fabric...I even store some in bins in the garage. I would be totally grossed out if I were to start finding bugs in my fabrics, and I buy most of my fabric here in the state: only some is shipped to me from out of state and that has never happened to me....,knock on wood....good luck getting rid of those nasty critters.
    dinlauren is offline  
    Old 07-02-2011, 05:06 AM
      #29  
    Super Member
     
    Baloonatic's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jan 2010
    Location: Central Coast CA
    Posts: 1,918
    Default

    Originally Posted by np3
    I live in California. I read all of the posts on the reasons why some prewash and others don't. I have NEVER had any bugs in my fabrics. I buy from lots of shop hops around the state and from shops from here to Texas and back. I also order a lot online. And the only time I wash my fabric is when it has an odor. I guess I am one of the lucky ones.
    I live on the coast just 2 hours from np3 and I too have never experienced any kind of critters in material, ever. So very sorry it happened to you and hope that you can find where they hitched onto your shipment :(
    Baloonatic is offline  
    Old 07-02-2011, 05:09 AM
      #30  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Nov 2009
    Location: Texas
    Posts: 607
    Default

    I live in Texas and have fabric big time. I have never seen a flying little roach in my fabric or my house. Of course, we are air conditioned and have it on most of the year. Can't imagine.
    martha jo is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    Chasing Hawk
    General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
    12
    11-02-2013 05:57 PM
    xxxxxxxxxx
    For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
    10
    06-30-2012 10:25 AM
    Jacqndbox
    Main
    19
    02-22-2012 08:34 PM
    craftybear
    Links and Resources
    24
    09-04-2011 07:48 PM
    Julie in NM
    Main
    73
    08-08-2011 02:59 PM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter