How to Wash a Handmade Quilt to Prevent Damage

How to Wash Handmade Quilts

1. Check for Colorfastness

   Before washing any handmade quilt, check the fabric and any decorative stitching for colorfastness to prevent dyes from running. Testing is simple—wet a piece of white cloth with cold water and gently rub it over each different color or fabric in your quilt. If there is any color transfer to the white cloth, don’t wash your quilt; take it to a professional dry cleaner instead. Cleaning at home will likely result in discoloration and fading.

2. Treat Stains

   Before washing your quilt, pre-treat any stains with a commercial stain remover or a water and oxygen bleach solution. Follow the package's recommended directions (don't use oxygen bleach on silk or wool quilts), allowing plenty of time for the stain remover to work before washing the quilt.

3. Prepare the Wash Basin

   Fill a deep laundry sink or bathtub with cold water. Be certain that the sink or tub is clean and has no residue from cleaning agents, which could cause damage to the quilt. If you have hard water or iron bacteria in your water source, you should use distilled water for washing your quilt. You don't want to risk having minerals stain your fabric.

   Add a liquid detergent that's gentle and free of dyes and perfumes. Avoid powdered detergent as it can leave residue on the fabric.

   Tip

   Hand washing is the safest method of cleaning a quilt. If you must machine wash, use cold water, a gentle detergent, and the shortest delicate cycle. Follow the same drying steps as you would for hand-washing.

4. Hand-Wash the Quilt

   Place the quilt in the water, making sure it's entirely submerged. Gently move your quilt around in the water to help loosen any dirt. Allow the quilt to soak in the water for about 10 minutes.

5. Rinse With Fresh Water

   Drain the wash water, and fill the tub again with fresh water. Add 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar to the water to help remove detergent residue, brighten colors, and soften the fabric. Repeat the rinsing process until the water and quilt are free of soap.

6. Remove the Quilt From the Basin

   Create a sling with a white sheet by placing the corners together to make a loop. Wrap the loop around the quilt, remove it from the water, and let it drip above the tub. Gently squeeze the quilt to release more water (do not twist or wring). Allow the excess moisture to drain, then place the quilt on a bed of heavy towels on the floor. Cover with more towels, and roll up to absorb water.

7. Air-Dry the Quilt

   Move the quilt to another bed of dry towels, spread it out flat, and let it dry. Placing a fan in the room will help to speed up the drying process. You must handle them gently because pulling can break seams and cause damage. If you have enough space, place a sheet on the ground outside, and spread out the quilt on top. Cover the quilt with another clean sheet, and allow it to dry.

   While it's not advised, if you decide to use a clothes dryer, select the permanent press cycle and remove the quilt while still slightly damp. Lay it flat or drape it over an indoor drying rack to finish drying.

   Never suspend a wet quilt from a clothesline. Hanging can causes too much stress on the seams and may cause tearing and clumping of the batting. A wet quilt will be heavy and should be dried flat.

   Warning

   Drying a handmade quilt in a machine isn't advised because it may shrink the fabric and cause your quilt to pucker and wrinkle.

Treating Stains on a Quilt

Treat stains on homemade quilts using baby shampoo as a gentle alternative to a stain remover. Mix equal parts shampoo and water—just a couple drops of each—and gently rub the mixture onto the stain with a soft clean cloth or very soft toothbrush. Rinse it by blotting the soap with a clean, damp cloth, then air-dry or continue cleaning.

Care and Repairs

Before washing the quilt, check for rips and tears, and fix them before cleaning to avoid more damage. If there's a small rip in your quilt, hand-sewing with the same color thread can fix the problem. If you aren't confident in your sewing abilities or the tear is significant, a professional quilter or tailor can repair the quilt. You can also hire a quilt restoration service to help salvage a damaged vintage quilt.

Ironing

Iron your quilt only when absolutely necessary, and use the lowest heat that enables you to get your creases out. When choosing a heat level, consider the fabric used, any appliques or embroidery, and the batting inside the quilt. If the quilt is made of cotton, it can handle more heat; however, if the batting is synthetic, it may compress or melt.

A dry iron is preferred over a steam iron since steam can dampen and damage the batting. Place a sheet of cotton over the quilt when intending to iron over applique or embroidery made of sensitive synthetic materials. The cotton sheet will prevent the fabric from sticking to the base of the iron.

Storing a Quilt

If you plan to store your freshly laundered quilt, be sure it's completely dry. Allow an extra 24 to 48 hours of drying time before packing it away. One of the best ways to store a quilt is to spread it out on an extra bed. Keeping the quilt flat will eliminate creases and wear on folds. Cover the quilt with a clean sheet or bedspread if you want to keep it protected.

If storing it flat isn't an option, place the quilt in a cotton or muslin bag or inside an acid-free box. Don't keep the quilt in the attic or basement, where moisture and temperature levels may fluctuate. Before you fold the quilt, pad the inside with acid-free tissue paper to help prevent sharp creases. You can also roll your quilt around an acid-free tube and slip it in a cotton bag to help keep it wrinkle-free.

If you're storing your quilt in a wooden chest or dresser, wrap it in acid-free tissue to avoid direct contact with the wood. Oils and acids in the wood can cause spotting and damage. Once a year, bring your quilt out of storage to air it out and check for damage. Refolding differently will also prevent permanent creases and damage. Don't use mothballs when storing quilts; only use natural moth repellants, such as lavender or cedar balls.

How Often to Wash a Quilt

Hand-washing is the preferred method for cleaning quilts and their longevity. Even with a new quilt, machine-washing can cause the stitching to unravel. For any quilt, less washing is best to prevent fading. For a new quilt, you use on your bed every day, washing twice a year should suffice unless you have pets or accidental stains. Antique or heirloom quilts require special care and should be cleaned less often. To freshen your quilts between washings, air them outside away from direct sunlight.

Tips for Washing Quilts

• Get a professional to assist with vintage or antique quilts that are faded, frayed, or require significant reconstruction. Dry cleaning is always safer than hand washing.
• Consider using a quilt wash or quilt soap for delicate items. These products are free of dyes and other non-natural ingredients and are biodegradable, which keeps your fabrics safer in the wash.
• If your quilt has many color variations, use a color catcher sheet in the basin to absorb any wayward dyes. You can use a color catcher if hand-washing or machine-washing.
• A wet quilt is very heavy, so you may need assistance removing it from the basin or tub.