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                | gspringman | Posted - Mar 16 2009 : 10:20:03 AM I purchased a beautiful Wedding Band quilt made all by hand. It has a few small stains on it and I would like to somehow clean it. I have made my own laundry soap but would like suggestions from anyone as to how I should go about cleaning something this old. It appears to be in good condition just a bit musty.
 
 Gail
 Farmgirl #486
 mbr. Charming Chicks
 http://grammasladybug.blogspot.com/
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                | 5   L A T E S T    R E P L I E S    (Newest First) | 
              
                | suzifire | Posted - Mar 17 2009 : 12:02:26 PM Just soak it...never agitate it in a washing machine. To dry it lay out towels or a heavy sheet on the lawn & let it dry in a hot but shady spot. The weight of a wet quilt can damage seams & placing it in the sun can fade the old material. I have been a quilter & quilt collector for years. ( & did my share of quilt damage before I learned the proper methods of cleaning them)
 
 "I want a world that is sane & just & clean & willing to do my part to make it so"
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                | Maryjane Lee | Posted - Mar 17 2009 : 11:40:33 AM I wash them with my homemade laundry detergent on a gentle cycle. I put the quilt in the dryer at a low heating. Add tennis balls in the dryer to help the blanket from knotting up. Can line-dry also.
 
 Hugs,
 Maryjane Lee
 
 Farmgirl #44
 Sisters on the Fly #595
 
 http://thebeehivecottage.blogspot.com
 
 http://beehivecottage.etsy.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
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                | gspringman | Posted - Mar 16 2009 : 7:57:00 PM Thank you Diana and Karin. I think I will gently hand wash in the tub and hang on the clothes line in the sun. Sunshine and fresh air are good for me as I do love how it makes your sheets and things smell so fresh. The dry cleaners were a concern for me as well.
 
 Gail
 Farmgirl #486
 mbr. Charming Chicks
 http://grammasladybug.blogspot.com/
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                | electricdunce | Posted - Mar 16 2009 : 4:54:54 PM I would never put an old quilt in a washing machine.  If you wanted to wash it,  you could gently swish it around in the tub with a small amount of a very gentle soap,  rinse carefully,  roll up in towels to soak out the most of the water before putting it on the line.  Also I would drape the quilt over towels across the line so there isn't too much strain on the material.  I wouldn't dry clean because i'd be afraid of the chemicals.  The sun is often all an old quilt needs.
 I bet if you looked at The American Quilt's Society web page,  they would have some information for you...
 
 Karin
 
 Farmgirl  Sister #153
 
 "Give me shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan
 http://moodranch.blogspot.com
 http://domesticnonsense.etsy.com
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                | gramadinah | Posted - Mar 16 2009 : 10:31:35 AM I would spot treat with water and hang out in the sun to dry and air out. Not knowing about the fabric and the thread I would think long and hard about the washing machine. How about dry cleaning? I have the do it at home system and it does a good job.
 
 Diana
 
 Farmgirl Sister #273
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