If you collect quilts or own grandma’s favorite quilt, you know how crucial it is to take good care of a homemade bedspread. Vintage quilts are made from lightweight fabrics and hand-sewn, which means they get easily damaged in the wash. Even machine-stitched quilts require special care and may not survive getting thrown in a washing machine.
Stitching holds a quilt together but can also be very decorative. We’d hate to see all that artistry unravel. Follow the guidelines below to wash quilts without damaging the stitching.
How Often To Wash A Quilt
Because the stitching on an antique quilt unravels so easily, you should hand-wash these quilts and do it as infrequently as possible. Even store-bought quilts can start to lose their stitching after several washes. A quilt in the guest bedroom that is rarely used can go a full year or more without washing. If you let pets or kids tumble around on your quilt, you’ll have to wash it more often. Vacuuming up crumbs and spot-treating stains can help a quilt go longer between washes.
Considerations Before Getting Started
If you aren’t sure if an old quilt is colorfast, test before you wash. Dampen a spot on the fabric, then press a paper towel or blotting paper over the spot to see if any dye is transferred. You’ll need to test each color separately to be sure. You can reduce the likelihood of mishaps by putting color catching sheets in the wash with your quilt.
Always inspect quilts for damage before washing. Tears, holes, and unraveled stitches will get much worse in the washing machine. Make repairs before washing your quilt.
For handmade quilts, use dish soap or a gentle detergent for hand-washing like Woolite. Avoid fabric softeners and enzymatic detergents.
You can put store-bought quilts in the dryer according to the instructions on the care label, but the batting and stitching hold up best with air drying. Don’t hang a fragile quilt from a clothesline, which will stretch it. Quilts can also bleach in the sun.
What You Need
-
Gentle detergent or dish soap (for hand washing)
-
Washing machine or clean tub
-
Optional: Color catching sheets, plastic drop cloth or sheet
How To Wash A Quilt In The Washing Machine
We don’t recommend ever putting an antique quilt in the washing machine, but a newer quilt that is in good condition and machine-stitched may do fine. Quilts should be washed in front-loading machines only to reduce the likelihood of damage.
Step 1: Pre-Treat Stains
Spot-treat any stains with a dab of dish soap or gentle detergent. Lightly rub it in.
Step 2: Wash The Quilt
Put the quilt in your front-loading washing machine and add your detergent. Use cold water and the gentlest cycle setting. Optional: Add a color catching sheet to the washer to reduce the transfer of dyes.
Step 3: Air Dry
Set out a layer of towels on a table, rack, or the ground that is large enough that you can spread your quilt over them. If you’re drying your quilt indoors, place a plastic sheet or drop cloth underneath. Carry the quilt over, making sure to support its weight with both hands to avoid stretching. Place the quilt on the towels and spread it out. If you’re drying outdoors or have pets, spread a cotton sheet over top to keep the quilt from getting dirty.
Step 4: Put Away
Once the quilt is completely dry, return it to your bed or fold it up for storage.
Credit: Betty4240 / Getty Images
How To Wash A Quilt By Hand
Hand washing is your best bet for preserving the stitching on a quilt. Always hand wash a family heirloom or your prized antique quilts.
Step 1: Prepare The Tub
Delicate quilts can be damaged by their own weight when they get wet. Place a large sheet across the bottom of a clean tub to help with lifting. Fill the tub with enough cool water to cover the quilt and allow it to float. Mix in a small capful of dish soap or detergent for hand-washing.
Step 2: Clean The Quilt
Submerge the quilt in the water. Put your hands in the water and gently agitate the quilt by pressing up and down in the water (never wring out or squeeze an antique quilt.)
Step 3: Soak And Repeat
Allow the quilt to soak for 30 minutes to an hour, then empty the dirty water. Refill the tub or sink with cool water, but don’t use detergent this time. Allow it to soak again and then drain the water.
Step 4: Dry The Quilt
Place towels on the ground or a table for drying your quilt. If you’re indoors, you’ll want to place a thick plastic sheet underneath.
Grab the ends of the bed sheet in the tub to lift the quilt, then carry it over to dry. (If it’s very heavy, ask another person to help you.) Spread the quilt out on the towels. Use more dry towels to press on the top of the quilt to soak up excess water, then remove them. If drying outdoors, place a cotton sheet over top to keep the quilt from getting dirty. Once the quilt is dry, put it back on the bed or fold it up for storage.
Tips To Keep Your Quilt Clean And Well-Preserved For Longer
-
Keep pets out of the bedroom or place a folded blanket at the end of the bed over top of the quilt.
-
Vacuum up dust and hair in between washes. Place a piece of screen on delicate fabrics to protect them and keep them from getting suctioned into the hose. Use a vacuum attachment and vacuum the quilt through the screen.
-
Spread quilts on beds rather than hanging them, which can stretch the fabric and stitching. Also keep them out of direct sunlight.
-
Quilts that you have folded up and stored away should be aired out from time to time. Spread the quilt on a bed, placing a sheet over top to keep pets off. Flip it over the next day. Then fold the quilt up for putting back in storage—preferably in a different configuration so the quilt doesn’t develop creases.
Read the original article on Southern Living