Ask Penny Halgren

If you have pre-washed your fabric, you should be ok to wash it in a light detergent. A couple of options might include Orvis (which can be found at quilt shops) or a phosphate-free detergent from the grocery store.

The other consideration is the batting you use. Although some of the current wool blend batting is washable, you might want to carefully consider whether you will wash it.

In a recent Eavesdrop on a Telephone Conversation, Sandy Muckenthaler said that Hoffman Fabrics uses Tide to wash all of the fabric with. This might mean that if a quilt survives Tide, it will be good to go. More information from here can be found at: http://how-to-quilt.com/eavesdrop-hoffman

Earlier in our Eavesdrop on a Telephone Conversation series, Jacqueline Sava described a product called Soak, which can be used to clean quilts and fine lingerie without rinsing. Her information can be found at: www.how-to-quilt.com/soak.shtml

Hope that helps.

Happy Quilting!

Penny Halgren
www.How-to-Quilt.com
www.TheQuiltingCoach.com
www.QuiltBlockLibrary.com