Hello all, Mary Ellen here.

I took the opportunity today to throw a few quilts in the wash. I have some scrappy quilts, certainly not heirlooms, that I usually have on my couches to protect them from my dog. He likes to get comfortable wherever the sun in pouring in on his back. The quilts collect dirty paw prints and lots of hair (maybe I should join the weaver’s guild to learn how to spin his very prolific hair into a usable yarn? No, I don’t think so. That’s just a little too weird, although I have read about it on the internet. A very reliable information source…Not!)

When I wash those couch quilts I just toss them in with towels, cool water, regular detergent and away we go. They go into the dryer along with the towels. In the summertime I take them out after a few minutes and air dry them outdoors. But now in the winter season, they go for a full dry cycle with the other laundry.

I have a red and white (I think, since it’s quite stained) quilt that I “bought” at one of our guild’s auctions a few years ago. It has been vacuumed, aired out, and put out in the sun. Still is very grimy and I’m thinking I’m going to risk washing it since the “price” I paid wasn’t out of pocket. I know that the washing machine routine is not the way to go. I do have some Orvus soap that one of my quilt buddies gave me. I’ve just finished a little research at that reliable source I mentioned before. I think the quilt will be spending some time in the tub today. While looking around I came across this free guide to quilt cleaning that can be downloaded for free from Craftsy. Lots of good information in it. I’m going to be looking for washing soda to try making my own DIY color catchers.

Here’s the link, in case you want to see what they have to say. Click here.

Any suggestions from you quilters out there on handling my red and white quilt?