The care of your quilt depends on how you are going to use it. They need to be treated like the treasures they are.

Laundering
Wall hangings need to be vacuumed or shaken out occasionally. To vacuum, lay your quilt on a flat padded surface. Using an upholstery brush and a low setting, vacuum gently. To alleviate abrasion, you might want to consider placing a fiberglass screen over your quilt and vacuum though it.

Quilts used on a bed will need to be laundered periodically. Know the fabric content prior to washing. Wash and dry your quilt only when absolutely necessary. With all launderings of quilts, avoid products with perfumes and other additives. As well, as those recommended for washing fine woolens as these may yellow cotton fabrics. Ensure detergents are completely dissolved prior to submerging your quilt.

Hand Wash
It is recommended to wash your quilt by hand as machine washing stresses the fabric. Use your bathtub if your quilt is large otherwise a large tub is recommended. Lay it as flat as possible. Gently wash using the kneading method, gently wash. To rinse, do not lift your quilt. Drain the water and refill the tub with clear water. Repeating until the soap is completely removed. To remove remaining water, press gently against the side of the tub working towards the drain. Blot with clean towels to remove any excess water. Lay your quilt flat on clean sheets to dry. Keep out of direct sunlight. Do not hang to dry.

Machine Wash
Quilts made from washable fabrics and battings can be laundered in your washer and dryer on gentle cycles with a mild soap. Use a large washing machine and the highest water level possible. To alleviate wet fabrics bleeding, remove your quilt from the washer as soon as it has completed its cycle. Dry on a cool/warm setting.

Storing
To prevent damage, there are several considerations to be made when storing your quilt. Clean your quilt if you are planning on storing for an extended length of time. For best storage results, place your quilt in washed, unbleached muslin or cotton. Any items such as tubes (for corner folds) tissue paper (used between the folds) or boxes should be acid free. Do not use plastic bags.
Light can cause fading. It can also be responsible for the material in your quilt to become weak and brittle. Staining can occur when quilts are in contact with some storage materials that have not been properly finished. Such items are paper and wood. As paper and wood age, they release fabric-destroying chemicals. Another culprit of staining is mold and mildew. To prevent mold and mildew, quilts should be stored at a humidity of 45 to 50 percent. Creases caused by folding and pressure from stacking can be permanent. It is recommended that quilts stored on top of each other are refolded and rotated regularly to prevent creasing and damage along folded edges. Use acid free tubing wrapped in acid free tissue or washed muslin or washed cotton in your folded corners. Heat registers and heat from sunlight can also damage your quilt.
To keep your quilt smelling wonderful and protect it from insects please see our Scents for your Linens article.

Displaying
If the quilt is to be displayed as a wall hanging, there should be a “sleeve” attached to the back of the quilt to facilitate a rod. Again, avoid direct sunlight or continual artificial light. When showing off your quilt on a quilt rack or wooden shelf, place a double piece of washed unbleached muslin between the wood and the quilt. This may not be necessary if the wood has been sealed with paint or polyurethane varnish.
Tabletops are another popular place to display your quilt. For protection, cover with glass or plexi-glass cut to fit the shape of the table. Be sure to air regularly to prevent mold and mildew. Also reposition the quilt often to keep permanent creases from forming. Please view our Photo display of Decorating with Quilts.

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