25 July, 2014

Coming Clean

Last year I completed this quilted table topper for our kitchen table. I had prewashed the binding fabric, as well as the backing fabric and used my favorite go-to product with that laundry, Shout Color Catcher sheets.  As far as I was concerned we were all set (pun!) in that department from here on in.  Was I ever wrong! The table quilt needed washing the other day and it emerged, after its bath and quick tumble in the dryer(!) with ugly green stains leaching into the white from the binding. I was horrified. Yesterday, having little to lose at this point, I summoned up my nerve and soaked it for a few hours in a warm water and Biz solution; then washed it, again, along with three Color Catchers this time. The quilt has been restored to its original pristine beauty. It looks like I have yet one more go-to laundry product; this one-two punch worked like a charm! Lesson learned... those Color Catchers are going in the wash with all of my quilts from now on, it doesn't matter if its their first wash or their twenty first, it's inexpensive insurance and I'm not taking any more chances.
Life is Good!

9 comments:

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

Wow! Who knew that the colors would continue to bleed? I have started prewashing everything (and after getting 10% shrinkage on Moda extra wide backing, I'm even more committed to prewashing) ... but even so, I'll be throwing in a couple of Color Catchers when I wash my quilts after I'm done quilting them.

45th Parallel Quilter said...

I just purchased a package of those the other day after reading about a number of horrifying incidents that people had had ~ thought I would have them on hand "just in case". They will absolutely be used whenever precious linens or quilts are being washed ~ glad it worked out well for you. It scared the heck out of me when I was reading it!! LOL

Pat said...

I just used them to prewash some batiks for a block swap. They are great. Carbona has a very similar product, which I have not tried yet, but will.

Paula, the quilter said...

Biz is a wonderful product! Glad to know that the Combo works well.

NeverBored said...

Thanks for the tip. I just finished hand quilting a large quilt that is red,cream, and blue and in spite of pre-washing all my fabrics one of the reds bled when I spritzed my blue quilt markings. I've read to baste the Color Catchers over the affected area, and I will be doing that, but think your suggestion of multiple Color Catchers is called for also. It is encouraging you were able to get the bleed out even after the quilt had been through the dryer.

Quiltdivajulie said...

I use 2-3 with each quilt washing -- so far, so good.

Glad to know about Biz soak (just in case).

leigh anna said...

I've stopped sorting clothes since I have been home, and just wash with color catchers every time. It is saving me SO much time!!

Nane said...

I always wash a quilt the first time with about a half of a box of these! Glad the biz worked well

Laura said...

Hmm... good to know about the Biz solution. I washed a quilt last week and there was just a bit of bleed from the thread. I should soak it in Biz and then try it again with a color catcher (or several!)