I have a bunch of “really stupid” projects right now. Not stupid in their intent, or in their theoretical possibility for either (1) amazing thrift or (2) amazing aesthetic achievement. Stupid because they are not going well, and they look like they may end up as time- and money-pits that get tossed, and they have taken over my house. Above: Stupid Project #2, I bought a king-sized quilted bedspread at an estate sale recently. I “just” needed to wash it.
WARNING: The word “just”, used in sentences thus, should be banned from the English language.
Quilted king-sized bedspreads are hard to come by, especially in patterns. I liked this sunny pattern. I’ll say it’s not midcentury — more like 80s or 90s — but it works for me and what the heck, I paid next to nothing for it. No one else was gonna go for it. It looked … ahem, dirty. I “just” needed to clean it.
So I brought the bedspread home, where it sat a clump in my bedroom for a good … three weeks … reminding me to work on it. Finally, over the past week, I made time to patch the back side where the lining was holey and revealed the fluffy middle stuff. I thought: If I wash it with the fluffy middle stuff open, the fluffy middle stuff will pill out.
Finally, with patching complete, it was time to wash the monster.
I needed to get rid of both dirt — and smells. I had recently read this story — fascinating! — about the chemistry of odors and how to try to remove them. Based on the story’s recommendations, I bought some Dr. Bronner’s liquid castile soap / almond (affiliate link) with hopes it would get at both dirt and odors.
Then, off to the laundromat to use their large machine. Gulp: $7 to use the big machine! I have been out of touch with the cost of laundromats. I spent $16.50 and nearly two hours.
Did the dirt come out? Did the smells come out?
I ended up doing two hot-water washes.
On the first wash: The decorative side — which seems to be made out of a sheet-weight cotton, or cotton-poly blend — looked pretty darned good. The back side lining, though, still did not look clean, it was definitely still yellowed. I surmised: The thing was so big that once the agitator got going and the bedspread started to clump and spin like a big burrito, the inside spots could not get as clean as the outside areas.
Second wash — hot water again: I phumphed the thing to get the dirty side “out” and washed it again. After a second washing, the back side looked… better … maybe. I was wary of washing the thing again until I could completely dry it and take a closer look. Plus, bored. That is part of my Project-itis: Too easily bored by one, start another, slow to finish any. The bedspread is now at home draped all over weebit’s bedroom to fully air dry.
I wonder: Is the discoloration on the lining-side sun rot, rather than dirt? This could be the case, as the deterioration of the back-side lining was consistent with sun rot I’ve seen on the back side of lined curtains. I’m thinking: Perhaps the previous owners had the bedspread folded and sitting in the sun for a long while?
Or: Maybe the lining fabric just aged and yellowed more easily than sheeting on the front? Could be. The lining was more… fragile. It was lighter than muslin; not tightly woven.
Regarding eliminating the odors: The bedspread is still drying, so I don’t know yet. My husband is a super-smeller, so after the bedspread is completely dry, I will set him to this honey-do. This will problematic, though, because I don’t think he’s too thrilled about the prospect of sleeping under someone else’s previously-stinky bedspread, no matter how much I promise I cleaned it. As a result, he may not be able to test-smell objectively. I am going to guess there are lots of readers in my husband’s camp — horrified, repulsed, etc. at sleeping under vintage coverlets. Not me, though. I fall into the other camp, “If it’s clean, who cares?”
Emphasis on: “If it’s clean.” I’m about $40 and five hours into a quilted bedspread that may or may not be “clean”. Indeed, putting the thing on the bed to take the photos I see two stains that look like they would come out easily with a stain stick. And we’ll see what Mr. D.H. Nose says.
I’ll report back. I tend to think that (1) a super duper odor eliminator product and (2) another trip to the laundromat are in my near future. Or in another month, when I get to it. Before it all goes in the dumpster.
cynthia e roman says
I have soaked disgusting-smelling old cloth, weighted down, in straight white vinegar in a covered pail/bin for a week and foul odor is banished! No ‘pickle’ smell once dried either.
Nina says
I would try Oxyclean + baking soda, or if that doesn’t work, old fashioned bleach. Sun drying is a good option.
Nonna says
Kiddie pools are currently on markdown everywhere. They make fantastic bedding soaktubs. Rinsing with your garden hose is not glamorous but it’s cheaper than a laundromat (which I save for the final wash if something is too big). Vintage textiles often just need to soak with slight agitation because no one washed them in years and dust has settled in!
I’m a fan of soaking in good old fashioned baking soda. It doesn’t break down fibers the way Oxy Clean can. (The horror of returning to an item with a hole in it from soaking has melted me to tears).
Sun is great but I’d sun backside out for several reasons including new stains from bird droppings (yes, that’s happened to me!). Fresh air is best but you’ll get a new set of odors that way. If your allergies are anything like mine, you’ll understand why the final wash and hang are never outdoors for me.
I think you have lots of options before throwing in the towel, er, spread.
Brian says
If you can, try putting it lining-side up in the sun to dry. And Persil detergent works great at getting rid of odors. Good luck!
Betsy in Michigan says
I second the overnight soak in Oxyclean-type stuff (in your bathtub?). Odors are taken care of with an enzymatic product like Nature’s Miracle (buy it in jug’s off the ‘Net – cheaper than pet stores). It’s meant for pet stains and odors, but it’s also wonderful on mildew smells, hockey gear, etc. (quarter cup in with the load). To saturate a large item like a quilt or rug that’s been peed on without using the whole $30 jug at once, put it in a spray bottle and get carpal tunnel by thoroughly spraying each area, front and back.
Lee Ann Stearnes says
Vinegar. Cheap and it works. Get the big bottles at Target. Half bottle directly in the washer. Wash by itself with whatever regular laundry soap you use. I like Persil or Tide. It may take a couple of washes or even a whole big bottle of vinegar. It will come out of the washer smelling like vinegar. Hang to dry NOT the dryer. Once the vinegar smell is gone so is all the odor.
Abi Wattai says
I’ve had some success with adding a cup of white vinegar to the final rinse in the washer. The smell of the vinegar disappears totally when the item is dry. Great for funky towels! I agree with the above commenters, dry on the line in the sun. If the backing on the quilt has some nylon or other synthetic fiber in it, however, nothing may brighten it. Good luck!
carolyn says
If you know any hunters, there’s a laundry soap called Scent Killer, or at Gander Outdoors, Cabella’s, Bass Pro-Shop, Fleet Farm or Farm & Fleet. Worth a shot.
Linda says
As an Estate Sale Empress, I swear by Sodium Percobonate (powdered hydrogen peroxide & a main ingredient in oxyclean type products) and drying in fresh air, at least overnight. You can get the SP on ebay, reasonably priced and it doesn’t take much. Soaking it in the tub may no be the best solution as you will have to still rinse it. If there’s a soak tub at the laundromat – hooray! (I have a large front loader and can pause the cycle so I’m a bit spoiled) if not, taking a large bin or tote and soaking it should work. I’d use about 1/2 cup, no more than 3/4 – dissolve that in HOT water, then fill will warm/hot water & soak for about an hour. Stir it several times, it will fizz (which I find so oddly satisfying) and then dump that out, wring as much as you can and wash with just a smidge of detergent. Dry outside & let air out overnight – that should do it. it’s worked miracles for me! Everything from drapes to comforters to clothes – I’ve gotten out smells and dirt.
Good luck and let us know what works!
Mary Elizabeth says
Yes, I would recommend OxiClean or similar SP product. Soaking overnight takes out most stains. Then hang it in the sun, back side out, to dry. If that doesn’t work, toss it. Once it’s taken up enough of your life to have made your own quilt, it’s time to give in, don’t you think? 🙂
Allison says
I will also chime in on the side of Oxy (I use the Dollar Store generic; much cheaper). Dissolve a scoopful (1/2 cup or so) in hottest water, then add to a tote or tubful of warm water. Soak overnight. Rinse and hang in the sun (pattern side in). Let it stay out several days if you can.
I spent many years as an antique dealer rehabilitating antique and vintage linens, and this will work nicely for your coverlet. Tell DH the UV in sunlight is a hospital-grade disinfectant, although if he’s squeamish, he’s squeamish; not much you can do.
Bobbie West says
You need to hang it OUTSIDE in the full sun ..for several days if necessary..but the sun will do AMAZING things to brighten up your quilt.Remember…it may not have been washed often….this was your first attempt..and each wash improves its look.
Neil says
Yes, and there are zillions of friendly natural microbes floating around in the outside air, and if your hang your spread out in the sun and fresh breeze, they’re able to dislodge the funky bed microbes, which are what is giving it the odors you want to purge.
Neil