dunster

I think it would depend on what made it so icky in the first place.

ghostrider

I'm still trying to think of something that falls between "too icky to touch" and "not terrible enough to throw away".

That said, I've machine washed pieced tops on gentle cycle (air dried flat) with no problems at all and have also spot washed parts of others by hand. None of those were 'yuk' cases, they just needed some piecing markings washed away or needle holes closed up before sandwiching and quilting. There aren't any shrinkage variations with spot washing because my fabrics are prewashed.

didi

Put it in a plastic bag with coffee, that gets the musty smell gone, don't know about the icky to touch.

lclang

DO NOT SPIN...I would soak it in a big plastic tub of water (or a bathtub), then drain and smoosh out all the water you can, but no spinning or wringing. If you can get most of the water out you could lay it on a sheet on the floor to finish drying. It could also be rolled up in a large towel or two to help take out excess water.

Reba'squilts

I have had to wash one of my quilts before sandwiching. Did it on gentle, no problem. One real dumb thing I did many years before I learned to quilt was to wash my Husbands Grandmothers quilt top. It sat in our closet for many years and I thought it was in need of cleaning. It turned out fine, lucky for me because the whole thing is hand pieced. I took it to our local quilt shop and had them sandwich and long arm it. The top is at least 100 years old. I would be afraid to wash it now!!!!

thread mess

I agree about soaking it in a bathtub, using half cup of vinegar in cool water. Gently squeeze while using a cool rinse. Use towels and sheets and roll the quilt top to remove as much water a possable without wringing it. Then air dry it open and as flat as possable.
Both of my parents and both of my husbands parents were smokers. That 'icky to touch' may come from old cigarette residue. You will notice if it is, if the water turns a yellowy brown.
This soak should help it all. Good Luck!

bibi

I did wash on gentle a quilt top to get all the glue out so I could take it to LA once I realized doing my own quilting was not possible. It was a lot of work to straighten the quilt top. But after a good press it was ready to go. LA did an awesome job with the quilting. While it came out OK would not do it again. Just soak, of use the other non-washing techniques. Best wishes.

AUQuilter

I too wouldn't think twice about washing it either in a laundry tub or bathtub after airing outside in the sun for an afternoon. I bought a few tops at estate sales and one came from a smoker's home. I have used a solution of Oxyclean in cold water and let soak for a day. Then rinse and a bath of vinegar for the rest of the day and then a final rinse with Woolite as the final cleaner and rinse well.. Then as Thread Mess said, use towels to dry and put out outside to finish drying it.

mirish2

Sprinkle it with baking soda and let it sit awhile, then immerse it in cool water which has a cup or two of white vinegar added to it. The mild chemical reaction between the vinegar and the baking soda will lift some dirt and "ick" out of the fabric.

AZ Jane

Depends on the "ick". Is it smell or someone poured maple syrup on it? Smell, you can try laying in the sun, spray with Febreeze (if you can handle that), place in plastic bag with newspaper for a couple of days. If it is "touch icky, is it centralized? Can you hand wash the one spot? Make sure you check the fabric and seams to make sure it is fix worthy, nor everything should be saved.

Most say to not wash a top-only because of raveling and wrinkling. You can cut the strings after (it's a pain) and iron (it's a pain) but it is doable. If it comes down to washing, the most gentle cycle your machine has. I have a hand-wash cycle, I can pretty much wash anything in that one.