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Thread: Stain Removal

  1. #1
    quilter.martha's Avatar quilter.martha is offline Senior Member
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    Default Stain Removal

    Hello Ladies:
    I have a question for all of you. I have a very old quilt top made by my great-grandmother. It must be 75-80 years old and is pretty fragile. (She made it after having had a stroke. The whole thing was hand pieced and her stitches are pretty large in places.) I'd like to finish it up someday, but there are some pretty large stains on it that I'd dearly love to remove. Does anyone have a safe, guaranteed method for removing stains and/or cleaning really old quilts? I'd love some input. Thanks!
    When life throws you scraps, make a quilt!

  2. #2
    scrappycats's Avatar scrappycats is offline Junior Member
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    Default Re: Stain Removal

    The type of stain would determine how to remove them. Do you know what the stains are from?

  3. #3
    quilter.martha's Avatar quilter.martha is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Stain Removal

    I think they are just age spots. Is there such a thing?
    When life throws you scraps, make a quilt!

  4. #4
    Sandy Navas's Avatar Sandy Navas is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Stain Removal

    I have age spots all over . . . and yes, there is such a thing. I would try one or two things on a small inconspicuous spot - one would be lemon juice and see if that will take the stain out. The other would be hydrogen peroxide - nothing stronger than what you can get off the shelf at the drug store.

    A gentle soak in a stain remover solution probably would also work and then a gentle squeeze and drying in the sun.
    Be warned. I am BORED.
    This could be dangerous.

    When you get cold just go stand in the corner.
    They are usually 90 degrees.

    A giraffe's coffee would be cold by the time it reached the bottom of his throat.
    Ever think about that? No? You only think about yourself??

  5. #5
    quilter.martha's Avatar quilter.martha is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Stain Removal

    Quote Originally Posted by Sandy Navas View Post
    I have age spots all over . . . and yes, there is such a thing.
    Sandy, you make me laugh. Thanks for the advice!
    When life throws you scraps, make a quilt!

  6. #6
    Sandy Navas's Avatar Sandy Navas is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Stain Removal

    Martha, I did a search and came up with these instructions:

    Instructions
    Things You'll Need

    * 2 white towels
    * Color-safe bleach or oxygen bleach containing sodium perborate
    * 2 white cloths

    1. Place the quilt on a level surface with the brown stains facing upward. Lay a white towel folded in half directly under the stains. Dampen the brown spots with cool water.

    * 2. Dampen a clean white cloth with a bleach containing sodium perborate. You can commonly find sodium perborate in color-safe bleaches--such as Clorox 2--or in oxygen bleach. Oxygen bleach comes in a powdered form; mix it at a ratio of 1 cup of oxygen bleach for each gallon of water before submerging the cloth in it.

    * 3 Blot the brown stains--do not rub--with the dampened cloth. Start at the outer edge of the stain and blot while moving inward toward the center. Continue blotting until no more liquid can be absorbed.

    * 4 Dampen a clean cloth with cool water. Blot the area to remove the bleach from the quilt. Pat the quilt dry with a towel.
    Be warned. I am BORED.
    This could be dangerous.

    When you get cold just go stand in the corner.
    They are usually 90 degrees.

    A giraffe's coffee would be cold by the time it reached the bottom of his throat.
    Ever think about that? No? You only think about yourself??

  7. #7
    Bubby's Avatar Bubby is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: Stain Removal

    Since your quilt top is so fragile and not quilted yet, I would secure the gaps caused by large stitches and quilt the top by hand or have it quilted by hand. It doesn't sound like the top could survive the rigors of machine quilting. Once the quilt is quilted and bound, then I would address the stains. I would discourage you from using anything stronger than a little lemon juice and some gentle soap intended for quilts. I would soak the quilt and gently launder it by hand. Remember to rinse again and again. I would use a color catcher sheet in the wash water and rinse water. Do not wring or twist the quilt; rather, gently roll it in towels and spread it out flat to dry indoors. The wind could damage the raw edges of your top if put outdoors to dry. If the stains come out, wonderful; if not, you would still have your great-grandmother's quilt. I have had a good deal of luck washing quilts with Orvus, a low-sudsing, gentle soap that's often for sale in quilt shops. Orvus is also used for washing race and show horses, so I buy mine at my local MFA feed store. It's much less expensive this way and it's the very same product. best wishes....Barb

  8. #8
    donnah818 is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Stain Removal

    Hi, I have been using a product for many years on all of my vintage 60 year plus linens. It is a spot cleaner called FOLEX. I call it my miracle spray.It will take out all kinds of stains. Find it where the rug cleaners are. I have removed old blood and grease stains. Try it you will use it on everything.Donnah818

  9. #9
    sewmuchjan's Avatar sewmuchjan is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Stain Removal

    OH this is good to know because I have a lot of quilts from my G-grandma's and Grandma's. Thank you
    Jan G


    THE HURRIER I GO,
    THE BEHINDER I GET!!!!

  10. #10
    SuzyQue is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Stain Removal

    What about rust stains? Any ideas? I have some Whink that takes out new rust stains, but will it be safe on an antique quilt?

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