Cat Bites Create Bloody Quilt Problem
On another forum, a lady is inquiring on how to get blood stains out of her quilt that has delicate applique on it. Seems that she has her cat sleep with her and when she touches the cat while asleep, it bites her.
She does not want to send her quilt to the cleaners as she is afraid that they will damage it and does not want to wash it in her washing machine as the delicate applique will surely be damaged in the washer.
My one thought was that she should hand wash it and place towels on top and fold sides toward center over towels and the begin rolling from one end, pressing as you roll to get most of the water out, then put on sheet in yard to let sun dry it, or hand on clothesline.
I have not answered her inquiry. What would you suggest?
TIA, bj
Replies
The first question that comes to mind is how old is the quilt and the second question is what kind of colors and material are we talking about? First of all I would not recommend putting it out in the sun especially if there are a lot of darker colors or a lot of reds. They have a tendency to fade very quickly. There are several things that she can do to get the blood out that will work well but it depends on the fabric content and the age of the quilt. If the quilt is fairly new such as within the last 10 years and is well made other than the appliques then the best advice I can give her is to actually spit on it. Especially if it is her blood. It has been well documented that the saliva of the person whose blood is on the fabric is the best way to get the blood out. This will only work if there is a small amount of blood. If there is a good deal of blood then meat tenderizer will work made into a slightly thick paste. But only if the quilt is fairly new. Other wise I would suggest that she call an expert in her area that can help her determine how to treat the quilt. She can look up the local chapter of Quilt Guilds in her area. Tell her good luck.
Thank you, Terry
I will pass your excellent advise on and get back with you if she replies.
bj
I use Zout for bloodstains. Of course, I do try to avoid causing them in the first place!
Thanks Barb, I will pass that on. Sorry to be late in responding to your helpful suggestion. My husband and I made a trip to Branson, Mo, and visiting family going up and back. One wonderful day was celebrating a second cousin's 98th birthday with other family members and looking at old family pictures and talking over the past.
She could also go to a store that sells nursing uniforms and buy one of several products that they have to remove blood stains from uniforms, and try it on an inconspicuous part of the quilt...or if she made it they quilt...a scrap of the fabri.
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