So you’ve just finished your first quilt and are ready to give it that cozy look by tossing it in the washing machine. Or, you have a beloved handmade quilt that could use a good washing from use. Before you head to the laundry room, there are some important things to consider. In this article, we’ll discuss what you need to know about how to clean a quilt and wash it.
The following rules apply primarily to our heirloom quilts – quilts that are meant to be enjoyed visually rather than used – but the tips are helpful for our more “practical” quilts as well. However, I’m a firm believer that every quilt we make is an heirloom quilt, meaning it is (or will be!) a valuable piece that will be in the family for years and years. Remember that every time you wash a quilt, it adds a little wear and tear and eventually can take off years of life for that quilt. If we want to preserve them for future generations we need to be careful about how we care for them.
Essentially, it’s a personal choice for the quilter whether or not a quilt should be washed like we would wash our clothes or other linens. If you prefer to wash your quilts, the simple process of machine wash in cold water and hang to dry is a good choice. If you prefer to take a more preservative approach to caring for your quilts, the following steps will help you out.
Rule #1: Never wash! (or try not to…)
A good rule of thumb that you may want to live by is to never wash or dry clean your heirloom quilts because you may be causing more damage than good. I tend not to wash the quilts I have made because I have taken classes that talked about how machine washing distorts the fabric and batting and can wear on the thread.
An issue we seem to forget is that textile fabric fibers are much more fragile when wet. There is also the risk of bleeding of fabrics, especially if hand-dyed fabrics or batiks are used. If someone tells you they can clean it for you and you know they plan to throw it into a washing machine, please tell them “No thank you!”
Rule #2: Spot clean when needed
Keeping your quilt away from food, beverages, muddy paws, or anything else that is a potential for stains is also a good strategy for quilt care. Of course, we are still humans (or pets!) and spots can happen. If there is ever a spot on my quilt, I will try to gently spot clean. I use a very mild quilt soap called Orvus ($8.99 at Jo-Ann Fabric) mixed with distilled water and dab at the spot. You’ll want to be cautious to never rub on the spot as it can damage the quilt fibers.
Now you may be wondering why I use distilled water. Distilled water is free of calcium and other minerals and impurities that your tap water may contain. Many times if your fabric has stained it is from these water sediments. Distilled water has many other cleaning uses for your home so it’s handy to keep some around the house – you can purchase jugs of it at most grocery stores.
Rule #3: Use a vacuum and screen
If your quilt needs to be all-over cleaned, take out your vacuum and your work scissors. You will want to get your hands on a piece of nylon window screen and cut it to approximately 18×24”. (If you don’t have any of this lying around the garage, you’ll want to make a quick trip to the home improvement store.) Wash the screen in warm soapy water and dry it well. Bind it off with masking tape around the edges to protect your quilt from snags or abrasions. Then, lay the quilt in question over a clean, dry table and place your screen over a section of the quilt.
Set your vacuum at the lowest suction setting, and using the hose and an upholstery attachment tool, carefully vacuum your quilt. Take extra care not to rub or apply too much pressure. When you are done with one section, simply move on to the next. Do not slide the screen though; you’ll want to lift it up and place it in the next position.
This process should usually be done on a yearly basis, vacuuming both the front and back of your quilt.
Rule #4: Work with a professional
If you want to have your quilt thoroughly washed, it should be done by a qualified textile conservator. According to the Great Lakes Quilt Center, you may not want to wash your quilt if it contains any of the following: inked signatures, dyes that appear unstable, fabrics that are deteriorating, glazed or silk fabrics, woolen yarns with questionable dyes, or if it has never been washed.
Okay, but…
All that being said, sometimes there is still a need to wash a quilt at home. Dry cleaning is not recommended because it involves agitating the quilt in dry cleaning machine, and the solvents can damage the fibers and threads. A washing machine is not recommended either for the same reasons; hand washing is the ideal process here.
The GLQC recommends this process if you are going to attempt to wash your quilt at home (always test a small area of your quilt first to make sure dyes will not run):
- Use a very mild detergent such as Ivory Liquid or Orvus (sold at quilt shops and some craft stores) and make a solution of a half-ounce of detergent to 1 gallon of distilled, filtered, or softened water.
- Use a container large enough to accommodate the entire quilt at one time (some people recommend the bath tub)
- Do not agitate the quilt in the water.
- Rinse by pressing down on the quilt with the palm of your hand or with a cellulose sponge.
- Remove excess water by pressing gently with clean white toweling or mattress padding.
- Lift the quilt with a towel sling or with both arms so that the weight is evenly distributed. DO NOT lift by one edge or corner.
- Lie flat to dry on a clean, non-porous surface.
Alternatively, if you just need to air out a quilt, you can do this by carefully hanging it on top of outdoor laundry lines or over clean, dry furniture that won’t snag your quilt. Avoid hanging in direct sunlight, as the UV rays can cause damage to fabrics and dull or bleach colors.
So there you have it! Follow these rules of thumb and guidelines for cleaning to ensure your quilts remain in good condition to be treasured for years and years.
Happy quilting!
More in this Series:
Quilt Care Part 2: Labeling and Displaying Quilts
Quilt Care Part 3: Storing Your Quilts
References:
Museum of Florida History; Artifact Care/Quilts
The National Quilt Museum; Quilt Care
Great Lakes Quilt Center; Quilt Care
Get in touch! Leave a comment or email editor@nationalquilterscircle.com.
I have a quilt that is 40 years old, it is a Bow-Tie quilt made with 4-patch. Each patch has 2 calico print and 2 muslin (cheap muslin at that). It is the only thing we have for an heirloom. We have not put it on a bed for 30 years. It has been stored in a tupperware tote. BUT the muslin is all terribly dingy. Any way to clean up the muslin? I also want to repair a few squares, I have old material from that era, yet different colors. Should I separate all squares and replace muslin or is that a disaster waiting to happen?
Nowicanwashmyquilt
I read your heirloom quilt care article. I think I have a unique one. It was made with real on the farm sheeps wool. I dont use it because its very old so it doesnt get dirty so I would think its a spot clean only?
old hand sewn quilts very dingie and dirty how to wash?
Hello Shirley,
Here is a great article on how to care for and wash older, vintage quilts:
https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-care-for-vintage-quilts-2146305
Cheers,
Ashley
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I have a quilt my great aunt made around 1980 it’s a patchwork quilt. I need to know how to clean it. Thanks
Jeanne
Hi Jeanne,
Here is a great article on how to clean and care for older and vintage quilts:
https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-care-for-vintage-quilts-2146305
Cheers,
Ashley
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
We’d love to have you be a part of our community. We are convinced you will enjoy the benefits of becoming a member and having access to the best instructional how to videos and professional tips. We would like to offer you a special promotion for your first year membership.
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I need to get what looks like old blood out of two antique quilts asap to sell them. They were mine when I was a kid and we are moving! Can you help?
Hello Jan,
This article has several suggestions for products that might be able to help remove stains from antique quilts in their ‘Removing Stains from a Vintage Quilt’ section:
https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-care-for-vintage-quilts-2146305
Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Ashley NQC Video Membership
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I have a quilt that my mother made for my son who’s in his forties now. Many of the squares are thin some are torn and the solid blocks were all tied. It had no binding just the final rule of the quilt was turned over and hands on down which were out those blocks all along the outside edge. My son asked if I would fix it I have taken it apart and should I buy new box for the ones where the holes were also can I have it put on a long arm or will I have to try and tie it again because the fabrics too old to go on a long arm I don’t know that’s why I’m asking
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Thanks
Sarah
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Hi, I have 30 Garden Flower (Hexagon) blocks from 1930 and plan to put together into a quilt. Before I do that, I plan to soak them with Quilt Care Liquid Soap. I dont want to use washing machine at all. Any advice how I should work with 30 blocks? Thanks for so many good tips here…
Hi Brenda. If you plan to soak all of the blocks I would recommend simply filling up a shallow dish with the recommended temperature of water and the Quilt Care liquid soap. You could do the soaking in smaller batches to make sure it easier to both soak the blocks and lay them flat to dry.
Hope this helps!
Ashley
Hello! I’m not a quilter, but a friend who is sent me this link. In other words, assume total ignorance on my part please. I just inherited an heirloom quilt, made for my grandmother by her grandmother when she got married–in 1920. There are some yellow stains which look like minerals from water (I deduced after reading your article). Is my best option to get the quilt soap and try spot cleaning?
Hi,
Yes I believe a quilt soap would be your best option. Here is one that is great for removing yellowing stains in particular:
http://retroclean.com/retroclean/
Cheers!
I was given your site after submitting a question about getting a stain out of a old quilt. It is a hand stitched 1 inch squares. My great grandmother who was 73 when she died in 1927.
Is there a way to remove pencil lead markings from fabric?
Hi Phyllis. You can use a fabric eraser, generally meant for fabric pencils, but they can sometimes work for regular pencils as well. If that does not work, washing the fabric should remove any pencil marks.
Hope this helps!
I have finished a 45 inch square table topper for our round table at the cottage. I would like to waterproof it. Is there something I could spray on it to waterproof it or is there something else you might suggest so that it less likely to be stained. I would like liquids to ball up rather than soak into the quilt. Thank you.
Hi, Ann. You can use a product called Paverpol (available online) but it will drastically change the hand of the fabric. My suggestion is to lay it on the table the cover it and the table with a lightweifht, clear table cloth.
There is a product you can spray on in the camping department that seals tent fabric so water doesn’t get through and beads up and water runs off. You can try it on a small section to see how your fabric will react. Just a thought. Sold at Walmart or any camping store. Or put a piece of acrylic cut to size over it.. Good luck.