A questions that is always coming up is about how to care for quilts. This give me a great opportunity to give some suggestions and advice on what my thoughts are.
Here's my thoughts: Laundry detergents and Woolite are to harsh for quilts of any age. At my home we us a product called Orvus Quilt Soap. I purchase it from my local quilt shop.
It's really a detergent, not a soap, made of 100% sodium lauryl sulfate, with a neutral pH that is completely biodegradable.
The most important about a information is that it contains no:
- Optical brighteners which are really poor wash-fast fluorescent dyes (that means they wash out easily) that transform invisible ultraviolet light to make fabric colors appear brighter.
- Fabric softeners which can leave behind a residue on fabric that attracts dirt and oils.
- Fragrances
- Enzymes
Though similar chemically, detergents and soaps are different. Soaps are made from animal or vegetable fat and oils which are then mixed with a strong alkali. Detergents are created from petro-chemicals.
Below are a few websites with information on caring for your quilts.
http://museum.msu.edu/glqc/quiltcare.html
http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/how-to-quilt/quilting-basics/caring-your-quilts
http://www.si.edu/Encyclopedia_SI/nmah/vicquilt.htm
Last I would like to tell you about what I do with regards to quilts that I give as gifts.
- Label
- Give quilt with a card that describes best practices for caring for your new quilt.
- Also let the person know the quilt is made for loving, holding cuddling and washing is allowed.
- Include a bottle of quilt soap with each quilt.
Denise
