QuiltingGuide.info
Caring for Your Quilt
The utmost care should be taken with your beautiful quilts. It is true when it’s said
that “old is gold.” Part of the beauty is the age and the history of the quilt. Decide
whether you want to use it now or preserve it for future use. Clean it if you want
to use it for day to day purposes. If you wish to preserve it as a heritage item,
then air it out instead of cleaning it.
Airing
Airing will restore the fresh scent of the quilt while preserving.
Follow these tips:
Expose the quilt to air from time to time.
Air quilts indoors. Quilts may be damaged by insects and sunlight. Avoid
direct exposure to the sun, as it will not only cause fading to the quilt but
also weaken the fabrics.
Support the quilt by laying it over furniture like a table or bed.
Gentle hand vacuuming will remove dust and dirt during airing. You may
use a fiberglass or nylon screen between the quilt and the vacuum to keep
from sucking the quilt into it. To clean the screen, soak it in water, wash
and then dry it. Protect the quilt from scratches and snagging by covering
the raw edges of the screen with twill tape.
Keep a clean scent in the storage area with the quilt by using cedar
shavings or activated charcoal. Cover up these materials in muslin and
then place them in a muslin bag. Do not allow the quilt to come into direct
contact with these materials.
Deciding about Cleaning
Genuine Antiques
It is very difficult to clean historic quilts. Even the professional conservators find it
difficult. It is not advisable to use home cleaning for quilts over 50 years old.
Professional Drycleaning
Use professional drycleaners for the proper handling of your quilts. Ask your
drycleaner to use a short cleaning cycle. Remember that dry cleaning is not safe
for some quilts. It can disintegrate old silk brocades, velvets, and satins. Airing is
recommended for those fabrics that are difficult to clean safely. You may find
damage to your quilt after drycleaning, especially if the quilt is old.
Contemporary Quilts
Newer quilts can usually take being professionally cleaned or cleaned at home,
so you may use your own judgment in this.
Home Laundering
You can clean quilts easily if they are made of strong cotton quilting thread,
cotton and polyester batting, and cotton fabrics. Wool quilts are difficult to clean
because they are heavy when wet and take longer to dry. Drycleaning is
recommended for wool quilts to prevent shrinkage.
To launder quilts follow these steps:
Soak the quilt in the bathtub and wash by hand.
You may want to test the colorfastness of the fabrics if the quilt has never
been washed before. It is very simple to do. Wet a portion of the colored
areas of the quilt, using a detergent solution and medicine dropper. Blot it
with a white cloth. If the dye bleeds, then it will stain the white cloth. Don’t
wash if it is bleeding.
Don’t use those detergents that contain bleach and enzymes. Use regular
or mild detergents.
Use warm or tepid water. Soak the quilt for 3 to 5 minutes in a detergent
solution, and then start washing. Remove as much water as you can
without squeezing.
Use clean colorfast terrycloth towels to pat moisture out. You can brighten white quilts by using a water softener. Don’t use liquid chlorine bleaches because they make your fabrics weak.
Avoid exposing the quilt to the sun to prevent fading.
Brown, Yellow, and Rust Spots
Many people complain about brown spots on old quilts. Usually these are aged
stains that are impossible to remove. Many “old home remedies” are suggested.
Usually, they have no real benefit in removing stains and, often, they further
weaken the fabric. Accept stains and treasure them as evidence of previous
family use.
Quilts from the 1950s
Quilts which are made during the early 1960s contain some permanent press
fabrics. They are not strong and tend to break easily.
Storage
Improper storage will damage the quilts, so care should be taken for this, as well.
Tips for storage:
Cover the quilt with storage covers to avoid direct contact with wood or
metal. Pillow case covers, old white towels and unbleached sheets can be
used as storage covers.
It is good to store the quilts in clean cedar chests because they are air and
insect tight.
Avoid using plastic bags because they change the color of the fabrics and
also cause mildew and insect problems.
Wrinkles can break the fabrics. Fold the quilts differently each time to
avoid this. Fold inside out to avoid scratches while removing and keeping
in storage.
Avoid rolling the quilts for storage.
Keep the quilts at a relatively even humidity and room temperature.
Always remember to date the quilt. If you make it, stitch a piece of thread
and write the date with a permanent ink over it.
Cardboard boxes are acidic and get damp in humid weather. Don’t use
them.
Don’t use moth repellants excessively.
If cared for properly, your quilt will last for many years and become a treasured
heirloom piece.
Caring
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