Fabric problem

Hi all, I'd like some fabric advice:

I started a long daisy tablecloth in fall of '03, and have put it away because of other projects, and forgot all about it:

formatting link
just recently restarted it, and noticed that it has a slight mustysmell, probably from beeing stored away. My question is, what's thebest way to get rid of the smell? Should I just air it out? Wash it? Ihave only done about 20 cm out of about 2 meters, I could restart itif necessary (it's a birthday gift for my mom, she will turn 70 nextJan).

Many thanks beforehand

Amber

Reply to
Amber
Loading thread data ...

That's beautiful, Amber! Your mum will love it. Given the time of year, I'd just hang it in a shady spot for a day or two andsee if that does the trick. If it doesn't, then I'd wash it gently. I'm just wondering, though, did you prewash your fabric to shrink it? What are you stitching on? Louisa

Reply to
Louisa.Duck

If hanging it in the fresh air isn`t enough, do you have Febreze spray where you are? Excellent for refreshing musty fabrics. It would do the job until you`ve finished stitching and do it`s final wash, and won`t harm it at all.

Pat

>
Reply to
Pat P

The paper included in the kit says the fabric is draylon, and that it should be dry-cleaned. I've read other places that it can be machine washed at 30 degrees with woolite. On Wed. I will go to my lns and ask themwhat to do.

If I do wash it with the stitching on, could I risk it shrinking and then what I stitch on it a bigger size, or should I just frog what I've done, wash the fabric and start over? LOL decisions decisions

Amber

Reply to
Amber

I looked up Draylon fabric care and it gave a substitute brand name of Dralon. It is, if what I read as correct, an acrylic fiber that needs great care. Seems that it is made up in all types of fabric, such as velvets and upholstery/drapery. But a number of places I visited added the word delicate accompanying the description.

Most detergents do not work at low water temperatures, so you may want to think about dry cleaning.

However, I would try simply airing it out and then dry cleaning when you were finished with the project.

Dianne

Reply to
Dianne Lewandowski

You are right, I'll try that first. Just hope the finished project will survive a dry clean. Should tho.

Thanks all, for your advice

Amber

Reply to
Amber

If a detergent doesn't work at very low temperatures needed for the fabric, I simply hand-wash in the sink and use plain shampoo, and then after throughly rinsing hand the item to dry or lay it flat on my sweater-drying racks. I don't dry clean anything unless it's a woven (not knit) fabric.

As to this item, I would let it air out a day or so, finish the stitching, and when it is finished decide to clean it.

Reply to
Mary

Even hand washing can ruin some fabrics such as cotton satin. You can never get back the finish. And some fabrics are notorious for shrinking, particularly if you don't know where it comes from or the quality.

I think that's the best solution.

Dianne

Reply to
Dianne Lewandowski

Agreeing with the Febreeze and airing it out ideas. WRT washing it - don't use Woolite. It's pretty harsh. You could hand wash it with something like Oruvs or Fabricare, or plain Ivory dish soap - the kind with no additives, white creamy liquid. To get out the musty smell, a gentle swish at just slightly warm (cool) temp should be fine. And you could do the white vinegar trick, putting in about 1/2 cup to a basin of water. Don't do anything vigourous with wringing, twisting. Then take it out, gentle squish of the piece, roll in big towel and squeeze out the water . Let it air dry, and when just a bit damp, iron it from the back - on a towel as well, and you can use a press cloth (cotton hankie).

Dry cleaning some pieces that are stitched with DMC can result in spotting. I've had to do the conservation on some pieces trying to remove the stains. You don't know if the drycleaner has put in fresh solution when your piece goes in, and some of the threads will react so that dry cleaning can be a worse situation than the gentle hand wash.

But, if you know someone that has a Maytag drying center (like mine) - it has a freshening/steaming/odor removal capability. If not - you could also try hanging in the bathroom, and steaming it - run a very hot shower or bath, with the door closed, and the piece hanging nearby. Spray with some Febreeze/ or put some scented thing in the water flow. You can also dust the piece with baking soda to absorb odor. Even in the wash, you can add some baking soda to the water, and that will help remove any odor (it works on stinky sports gear).

Good luck - it looks like a nice piece.

ellice

Reply to
ellice

Actually DMC warns about using vinegar with their thread dyes. This discussion came up years ago on RCTN. I believe others also say not to use vinegar as it can react with some of today's newer dyes.

Dianne

Reply to
Dianne Lewandowski

I'll check with my friend that does conservation work. Personally I think that there is some wariness amongst manufacturerers of people overdoing something and thus causing a problem.

ellice

Reply to
ellice

Y'know, after reading all these messages and considering that you have just a small part done and you're working on a tablecloth (which, if used as such, will get dirty), if it were me, I would start it over on a cloth that's washable. I guess it would technically be up to your mother if she would rather have a tablecloth that's dry clean only or washable.

Just my 5 cents-worth. :)

Joan

Reply to
Joan E.

InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.