Quilt in a Day Forums

Care of a quilt. Could someone tell me how to care for a quilt? I have been told to not have them dry cleaned as chemicals are too harsh. Would you wash them in a large machine such as one at a laundromat? I just gave a king size to our Military son and his wife. Please help.

Judy

Judy, I would NEVER dry clean it. I have two methods I have used depending on the size or how delicate the quilt is. I have a large capacity front loading washing machine that can handle even a king size quilt. I wash it with a special quilt soap, in warm, not hot, water on delicate cycle. If you use regular washing machine soap, use only a tiny amount. The worse thing you can do is end up with a sudsy quilt. After the wash is finished I put it in the dryer for a few minutes on the no or low heat cycle. This doesn't dry it, it kind of fluffs it a bit. Then I use a rack to hang it over to dry, changing the position a few times during the drying.
The other way I have done it is to use the bathtub. Fill it with water, add a bit of machine soap, then add the quilt and kind of push the water through it. Drain the water and rinse with clean water. I dry the same as above.
I hope this helps you. Good luck.
Joan

I would also buy the color catcher sheets so that if there is a color in it that might run then it won't spread to the other fabrics in the quilt.


Lois

Thank you very much. I bought her some quilt soap and will get a color catcher too. From New Mexico to Maine I thank you.

Hugs Judy

I have prewashed fabric made the quilt and then washed and dried it in the washer and dryer,,,,no problems....Good cotton fabric in a quilt is no different than a shirt ...or skirt....Of course this doesn't apply to antiques with aged delicate fabric....