I've been wanting a bright, colorful mexican blanket for awhile, and I finally just decided to take my great grandmother's old one from my grandparent's basement. I really was hoping not to, but I finally did. Why I didn't want it is this- It's been in the basement for years, and the basement keeps flooding, so it's gotten wet several times. It smells musty and not particularly pleasant, on top of 40 years of being in cigarette smoke because both my great grandmother and grandmother may be the greatest chain smokers on earth (My grandmother goes through a carton a week. At 90. And, amazingly, only health problems are that she's gone nuts and has no memory span, and some high blood pressure), so it also reeks of smoke and is kind of stained yellowy. How do you clean one of these things safely? I just want to make sure the colors won't bleed, because I'm sure I'm going to have to wash this thing over and over and over. Or should i have it dry cleaned, or....? Any thoughts?
It's probably a good idea to resurrect it, because it's likely much better quality than the stuff you get today. Today's ones are rubbishy cotton, I believe the old one's were wool, or a wool composite. I'd vote for a dryclean.
The proper thing to do is clean it the way it was intended to be clean, beat it on a rock down by the stream, second choice would be a large front loader down at the laundramat, they have a different action than a top loader that is less destructive. LEE
Let it air dry or it will shrink! I had an old one I found at the Salvation Army that REEKED of cig smoke so I popped it in the washer, then the drier. I couldn't believe how much it shrunk! It would have been alright, still could have used it for something except that the different colors shrunk at different rates so it was all lumpy and mishapen. Wash cold, stretch it flat and hang it to dry.
I've washed all my mexican blankets. i used a front loader machine and put it on a cool wash (for woollens) and let it dry naturally. Like Curious Rash says DO NOT TUMBLE DRY IT. Daisyduke
I wash all my Mexicans with the garden hose. Oh, wait! Did you say blanket?? Hey Ignore my last line then............ (Kidding!)
Thats a family heirloom. I would dry clean it. Not a good idea to use it as a seat cover for a hotrod.
I have to agree with 47bob on this. It would be OK to use it as a lap robe or something but seatcovers from Grandma's blanket, not good. Years ago we were at a swap meet and the vendor beside was setting up. They were using Granny's heirloom quilts as packing and night cover for freaking SuperBell axles on a stand and other displays. We had a nice civilized discussion about family treasures and respect for family history. Several months later we were happy to hear the quilts had been porfessionally cleaned and were now proudly on display at home on walls and beds as it should be.
I'd agree with this if it weren't for the fact I only took it because I was told to throw it away. Don't worry- I have 50 gazillion other "Heirlooms". And no where to put any of them. I appreciate the cleaning advice. I've looked around for another one for years with no luck, there aren't any colorful ones to be had, and when I do find them they're on ebay for way too much. All the ones I ever see are single color (red or blue or green, all different shades but one color), or really dark tints, and fall apart super-easy (I know from experience). I'll try cleaning it and see how I feel about it afterwards. Thanks again!
The garden hose method while on clothesline is tough to beat and deturrs fading...or do the washing machine on gentle cycle. Air dry without heat.
I'd imagine so, and that doesn't sound particularly safe either. Edit- Gave it a second thought, I understand what you're saying now. Sorry for the mixup. This one I have seems to have frayed quite a bit where it's been torn, so I can only guess it could on yours too.
I can't believe you have been searching for one that long. They're a dime a dozen around here. I just go the flea market on Saturday mornings and just get a new wool one, from Mexico, along with some carne asada tacos, when mine get dirty.
dry cleaning can do wonders, especially on old material. I wouldn't wash something that old. New mexican blankets are made cheaply and you can throw them in the washer and not care too much if you ruin it in the process.
Their like six bucks at Appco, I've been to several, and they were all selling them. $30.00 of Lime Green Mexican blankets would do seat, seat backs, back seat, seat back, and headliner. Just have to be creative with it. Anything early...I'd imagine two or three would do it in, I was shopping for my '54 Ford, which currently has some crusty green sheets the previous owner was using.
I imagine they're easier to come by near a lot of you, but it's not so easy when you live in Detroit. And what's an Appco? I imagine it must be some chain of stores, but there's none of those near here either. I think this blanket is shot anyways. I've washed it 5 times now with Borax and it still smells like mold and cigarettes- predominantly mold though. There's holes in it all over as well, and the whole thing is dyed reddish- which it was long before I touched it. Probably was washed wrong before or the water from when the basement flooded ruined it. I don't know. But, it was worth a try.
C'mon - you're telling me that Detroit doesn't have some kind of Mexican community??? Go to any store in the right neighborhood and you'll find what you're looking for. Hell, I've even seen Mexican blankets at truck stops.
Soak it over night w/some Arm-n-Hammer baking soda. And then use some 'fluffy' (flower, spring rain, ect) detergent. Then Load the rinse cycle with some strong smelling fab. softner. What'a got to lose?
Appco is an chain of gas-station/conveince stores. Blue, yellow, and red. Just a thought though. Seems like they get these things shipped in to sell like all the other junk that these stores pile-up (Like Git-R-Done key chains, cup holders, etc.)
The Jalopy Journal
