Very Old Quilts
#2
Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: East Central Indiana
Posts: 68
Originally Posted by The Bag Lady
I have a very old quilt that has been in the family. It smells very musty ----any suggestions on how to clean it to remove the odor. Thanks The Bag Lady
hope this helps!
#3
Here's what the experts at UNL have to say: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/vi...extiles_facpub
I would certainly NOT spray it with anything, wash it, or hang it over a clothesline. Depending on age and condition, I would not put it in a dryer either.
I would certainly NOT spray it with anything, wash it, or hang it over a clothesline. Depending on age and condition, I would not put it in a dryer either.
#4
I can't believe anyone would try to wash an old quilt in the bathtub. Even if you drain the wanter then try to squeeze out most of the water out of the quilt , it would weigh a ton. I wouldn't have enough towels in the house to try to blot the excess water out. Hanging on the line or laying out flat to dry would take so long.
I don't have a sensible suggestion for getting the odor out, but I have hung dry quilts on a line outdoors, especially in winter.
I don't have a sensible suggestion for getting the odor out, but I have hung dry quilts on a line outdoors, especially in winter.
#5
Thanks Loretta.
There are some worn spots on the quilt. Also, it looks like it was made from someones clothes. I will have to air it outside in the spring because we are having snow right now.
Bag Lady
There are some worn spots on the quilt. Also, it looks like it was made from someones clothes. I will have to air it outside in the spring because we are having snow right now.
Bag Lady
#6
Originally Posted by Barb_MO
I can't believe anyone would try to wash an old quilt in the bathtub. Even if you drain the wanter then try to squeeze out most of the water out of the quilt , it would weigh a ton. I wouldn't have enough towels in the house to try to blot the excess water out. Hanging on the line or laying out flat to dry would take so long.
I don't have a sensible suggestion for getting the odor out, but I have hung dry quilts on a line outdoors, especially in winter.
I don't have a sensible suggestion for getting the odor out, but I have hung dry quilts on a line outdoors, especially in winter.
#7
Originally Posted by Barb_MO
I can't believe anyone would try to wash an old quilt in the bathtub. Even if you drain the wanter then try to squeeze out most of the water out of the quilt , it would weigh a ton. I wouldn't have enough towels in the house to try to blot the excess water out. Hanging on the line or laying out flat to dry would take so long.
I don't have a sensible suggestion for getting the odor out, but I have hung dry quilts on a line outdoors, especially in winter.
I don't have a sensible suggestion for getting the odor out, but I have hung dry quilts on a line outdoors, especially in winter.
If you have a lot of birds in your area you don't want to put it on a clothes line outside either, for obvious reasons. (Darn birds just love to sit on my quilts and deficate! :evil: ) Instead, lay a sheet out on the floor and spread your quilt out to dry on it. If you have a fan, put that near the quilt and turn it on. The airflow will help it dry faster.
Somewhere in my quilt room I have the instructions for this. Let me see if I can find them (without getting lost myself!) and I will post them. If nothing else, you'll get to see how the Smithsonian treats their quilts.
#8
Originally Posted by Tiffany
Somewhere in my quilt room I have the instructions for this. Let me see if I can find them (without getting lost myself!) and I will post them. If nothing else, you'll get to see how the Smithsonian treats their quilts.
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: North Carolina - But otherwise, NOTW
Posts: 7,940
I have washed very old quilts in the bathtub, using very small amount of dish soap mixed well in the water first, then carefully submerge the quilt, and just pressing with my hands to "squeeze" the water through it. It works really well. Then I use a gallon pitcher to pour fresh water over it to rinse (after draining the tub). After no more "bubbles" are coming out, I press with my hands again to get as much water out as possible, and it takes a while to do this. Then I roll the quilt up and pick up the whole thing at once. Then lay it out on plastic covered with white sheet on the floor in my extra bedroom. It takes about 3 days to dry, and I turn on the ceiling fan on high to help that process. They come out clean and fresh smelling, and much more flexible after that. I have only done cotton ones, though. I would not attempt wool or silk.
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