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What makes Orvus so special for washing quilts? Quilters recommend it all the time. So what's the real dirt on this "miracle" cleaner?
What is Orvus?
Packaged as "Quilt Soap" from the Quilt Store
It is a detergent, not a soap, made of 100% sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), with a neutral pH that is completely biodegradable. It contains no:
Optical brighteners which are really poor wash-fast fluorescent dyes (that means they wash out easily) that transform invisible ultraviolet light to make fabric colors appear brighter.
Fabric softeners which can leave behind a residue on fabric that attracts dirt and oils.
Fragrances
Enzymes
One of its best features is that you know exactly what is and isn't in Orvus.
Though similar chemically, detergents and soaps are different. Soaps are made from animal or vegetable fat and oils which are then mixed with a strong alkali. Detergents are created from petro-chemicals.
Commonly used as a horse shampoo, it is available at livestock supply stores. Regardless of where you find it, a Farm and Fleet or your LQS, or what it's called, "horse shampoo" or "quilt soap", it's all the same stuff. It's just much less expensive in larger quantities.
Things to Know When Using Orvus
Packaged as "Horse Shampoo" from the livestock store
Hard water (the presence of increased amounts of calcium or magnesium ions in your water) may reduce it's cleaning power AND make it harder to rinse out.
SLS is a strong skin irritant. It can cause allergic reactions. Use a spoon to scoop out the concentrate. If you happen to get the "flake" form, use a mask and gloves when handling it.
It lacks "surfactants" in its formula. Surfactants act to keep dirt, grease and grim suspended in the water so they don't redeposit on your quilt. (Dawn Dishwashing Liquid is a surfactant that keeps the grease in the water away from the dishes you are washing. Synthrapol is a detergent/surfactant used in the hand dyeing process to keep unattached Procion MX dye molecules suspended in the wash water.)
Don't use vinegar in the wash or rinse with this product. Quilters will sometimes use vinegar in an attempt to set colors. Adding vinegar can reduce the wash water's pH down to a point where the sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) bonds with the fibers themselves. You will not be able to get the SLS out and it will attract dirt to your quilt.
"Does this mean I shouldn't use it for washing quilts?"
No. Certainly not.
These are things, that as a quilter, you should be aware of as you use products on quilts that you have spent a lot of your time and hard-earned money making. Be informed.
So What Should I Use?
Choose a liquid detergent with a neutral pH without bleaches, optical whiteners, fabric softeners, enzymes and fragrances. It may very well be you choose Orvus because it has none of these additives. Regardless of your choice, just follow general safety precautions. It's that simple.
