Washing new quilts

[Wendyrex]

What kind of soap is the best to use when washing a new quilt. I like the idea of washing it to make it look like an old quilt but I don't want the fabrics to fade out a lot. Has anyone found a good soap to use and do you use fabric softener etc.?

[Karena1984]

Re: Washing new quilts

I just. Use my normal tide and a color catcher! I do nothing special.

[slamb13]

Re: Washing new quilts

Same here, Tide and a color catcher, on cold water gentle cycle. That's how I wash pretty much all our laundry, I don't do anything unusual for my quilts. I also tumble dry them on low heat.

[Ahamblin]

Re: Washing new quilts

I use Tide Free for all my laundry and throw a couple of Color Catchers in with the quilt. Dry are the regular setting. Nothing special. Mine have come out fine. I wouldn't use fabric softener. It is my understanding that it reduces the effectiveness of the Color Catchers.

[Pattycake]

Re: Washing new quilts

I don't like the look of old quilts, but prefer the crisp look of new ones. I wash my fabric first in Tide with Color Catchers, dry it and iron it with a light spray of Best Press.

[Auntpiggylpn]

Re: Washing new quilts

I use Tide, NO color catchers, and Gain or Downy fabric softener using warm water and regular cycle. My quilts get washed exactly like the rest of my laundry. I like to wash it just like the recipient is going to wash it. Mothers aren't going to wash a baby quilt that is soiled with cold water, delicate cycle and air only in the dryers.

[auntiemern]

Re: Washing new quilts

I wash the same as any other laundry. I use color catchers too. Depending on the color of the quilt, depends on how many color catchers. Don't use fabric softener the first time, as it interferes with the color catchers ability to trap the loose colors.

[Madeforyouinma11]

Re: Washing new quilts

I wash mine with a warm/cold setting and dry just like my other clothes..no special treatment. I use color catchers and depending on the colors in the quilt I may use multiple catchers. I've never heard that softeners might affect the color catchers until now, but I always use Downey and have never had a problem with bleeding...maybe I've been lucky?

[GinnyKNC]

Re: Washing new quilts

I use tide and a color catcher as well as downy fabric softener on cold and I tumble dry. If it's a baby quilt I use dreft instead of tide.

[Bubby]

Re: Washing new quilts

Using your normal detergent should be fine. I learned the hard way not to use Woolite - it really faded my quilt. I do use fabric softener and color catcher sheets.

[laf512]

Re: Washing new quilts

I use my regular detergent as well as a couple color catches. I just use my "bedding/bulky" setting on my washer (which is what I use for all blankets and sheets) and then dry as I would a normal load of clothes. So really no special treatment except for the color catchers the first time I wash it.

[PeggyM]

Re: Washing new quilts

I use whatever detergent I have with color catchers. I've recently seen posts about using Dawn dishwashing liquid without color catchers, but I havent tried this.

[Quiltfreestyle]

Re: Washing new quilts

I wash mine in a front load tumble machine since I usually make bigger quilts. I had a bad experience with washing in regular machines. They seemed to chew up the quilts over time.
No special soap but I wash on warm, and dry on low most of the way. If its still a tad damp I lay it out to finish drying.
I do put washing instructions on my quilt labels, so the recipient knows what to do. So far I've always given quilts to non-quilters so it seems to help

[JCY]

Re: Washing new quilts

I use my Arm & Hammer Perfume & Dye-Free detergent. No color catchers. Can't tolerate the perfume. JCY

[ilive2craft2]

Re: Washing new quilts

I use my Arm & Hammer Perfume & Dye-Free detergent. No color catchers. Can't tolerate the perfume. JCY

I am also sensitive to perfumes. We use Tide or All Free and no fabric softener. i ordered the Carbona reusable dye catchers - they don't have a scent that I have noticed.