How to Clean and Care for Handmade Quilts & Printable Quilt Care Gift Tags
If you’re lucky enough to own a handmade quilt, you’ll want to ensure that it says beautiful for years! Our guide to properly caring for, cleaning, and storing your handmade quilts will help you keep those precious quilts looking great for generations!
Ask any quilter, and they will tell you that Quilts are not blankets; they’re works of art, family heirlooms, and expressions of love and creativity!
Whether you’ve spent countless hours piecing together a quilt or have been gifted one from a loved one, proper care and storage are essential to preserve its beauty and longevity.
An Important Distinction
Before I share my tips, let me first say that (in my opinion) for this post, there are two types of quilts.
One type of quilts are cozy lap quilts, kids quilts, and baby quilts. I’ll call these “everyday quilts.” These quilts are meant to be used and may need frequent washing. These suggestions all apply to these types of quilts.
(antique quilt spotted at Shaker Village in Kentucky)
The second type of quilt includes art quilts, antique quilts, and other types not meant to be used. I recommend handling those quilts with great care. I am not providing recommendations for cleaning antique quilts. That is best left to antique quilt experts, and I am not one.
1. Handle Your Quilt with Care
The first step in caring for your quilt is to handle it with clean hands. Oils, lotions, and dirt can transfer from your hands to the fabric, potentially causing stains or weakening the material over time.
Obviously, this advice does not apply to quilts meant to be used as everyday quilts or quilts for kids and babies! I don’t know any kids who always have clean hands, LOL!
Personally, we don’t have small children at home, and we frequently use our quilts. I am careful they don’t get thrown on the floor often, and I try to keep food away from the quilts. We also have a dog, which, as you can imagine, makes it complicated to keep the quilts perfect all the time.
Scrappy Log Cabin Quilt on our Sofa during Halloween
If I have a quilt that I worry won’t wash well or may not hold up to wear and tear, I keep it in my sewing studio and not in our shared family places.
If you have seasonal quilts that you like to use as wall hangings, make sure that they are careful as you hang and pack up your quilts each season. Quilts can be heavy; ensure you support the quilt’s weight as you move it around your home.
2. How to Clean Your Quilt
Quilts require gentle cleaning methods to avoid damaging the fabric and stitching. Here’s how to clean your quilt safely:
1. Test for Color Fastness:
First, test that the quilt’s fabrics will not bleed when washed. Rub the fabric with a slightly damp white cloth and check if any color rubs off. If it does, you will only be able to spot-clean the quilt.
If it does not rub off, do the test again with water and detergent. Nothing you can do will guarantee that a fabric will not bleed, but you can at least make the best guess before deciding to proceed.
Most fabrics made by high-quality manufacturers do not bleed when washed (Riley Blake, Moda, Art Gallery, etc.). I sew exclusively with Riley Blake Fabrics and have only had a dark red bleed once in 15 years of quilting.
2. Use a Color Catcher
I ALWAYS use 3 to 4 Shout Color Catchers when I wash my quilts. Even if I think they will not bleed. This product looks like a dryer sheet designed to pull dyes from the water in your washing machine and keep them from redepositing on your fabric.
- Spot Cleaning: Spot cleaning is often the safest option for minor stains or spills. Use a soft, white cloth and a small amount of mild detergent mixed with water. Gently blot (don’t rub) the stain, and avoid soaking the area.
- Machine Washing: Most “everyday” quilts can be washed in a standard washer in a cold setting with mild detergent. Then tumble dry on low.
- Detergent: Many modern detergents contain an ingredient to brighten whites, which is actually a “bluing” agent. Since you don’t want your quilt to change color, I recommend using a detergent like Woolite for delicates. Many quilters also love to use Quilt Soap, SOAK brand detergent, or Orvus WA paste (buy it at a farm store).
- Hand Washing: Hand washing is recommended if your quilt needs more care. Fill a clean bathtub or large basin with cool water and a small amount of VERY mild detergent. Gently submerge the quilt and swish it around without wringing or twisting. Drain the water and rinse the quilt several times until all the detergent is gone.
- Drying without a Machine: To dry your quilt, gently press out excess water without wringing. Lay the quilt flat on a clean, dry surface, preferably outside on a clean sheet or indoors on a large towel. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can fade the fabric. Flip the quilt occasionally to ensure it dries evenly. Never hang a wet quilt, as the weight of the water can stress the seams.
- Dry with a Machine: I always machine-dry my quilts. I LOVE that the batting and fabric shrink and give the quilt a soft texture. Taking a newly washed, warm quilt out of the dryer is one of my favorite things. If you dry your quilt, it will shrink. If you don’t want it to shrink at all, then it is best to lay it flat to dry as described above.
The fabric and batting on the quilt may shrink, but as you can see, it gives the quilt a wonderful, crinkly texture! My husband always says the quilt’s not done til it’s been though the wash (he’s partial to just out of the dryer, warm, crinkly quilts!)
3. Tips for Storing Your Quilts
Proper storage is key to preserving your quilt’s condition over time. A lot of this advice depends on where you live. It’s very humid in Kentucky, so I have to be careful not to leave quilts tightly packed in closets. Here are some tips:
- Choose the Right Location: Store your quilts in a cool, dry, dark place. Avoid areas with fluctuating temperatures or humidity, such as basements, attics, or near heat sources. These can cause the fabric to weaken, fade, or develop mold and mildew. We live in a humid climate; I am careful not to leave my quilts in closets that are not used often, as humidity can build up! I personally keep my quilts rolled up in baskets around my studio.
- Avoid Plastic: Never store quilts in plastic bags or containers, as they can trap moisture, leading to mildew or mold growth. Instead, use breathable cotton or muslin bags, or wrap your quilt in acid-free tissue paper. Cotton pillowcases also work well for quilt storage!
- Fold Carefully: When folding your quilt for storage, avoid creating sharp creases, which can weaken the fabric over time. When folding, fold the fabric on the bias as much as possible. Fold the quilt loosely and change the folding pattern occasionally to prevent permanent creases. Another option is to roll your quilt on an acid-free cardboard tube with acid-free tissue paper. Many quilters also like to use pool noodles to roll their quilts (use a layer of tissue paper over the pool noodles to prevent any unwanted color transfer).
4. Ideas for Displaying Your Quilts
If you wish to display your quilt, consider the following tips.
(sneak peek of some upcoming quilt patterns on a quilt ladder in my studio)
- Use a Quilt Rack: A quilt rack or quilt ladder allows you to display your quilt while keeping it off the floor and away from potential hazards. Ensure the rack is clean and smooth to avoid snagging the fabric.
- Wall Hanging: Quilts can be hung on walls using a sleeve sewn onto the back of the quilt and a rod. Ensure the rod is smooth and supports the quilt evenly. Avoid hanging quilts in direct sunlight as this can fade the fabrics.
- Rotate Displayed Quilts: Consider rotating them periodically if you have multiple quilts. This helps prevent any quilt from being exposed to light and environmental factors for too long.
The Heart of Hearts Quilt Used as a Valentine’s Wall Hanging.
5. Tip: Regularly Inspect Your Quilt
Periodically inspect your stored quilts for any signs of damage, such as stains, fabric weakening, or pests. Early detection allows you to address any issues before they become significant problems. If you notice any damage, take the quilt to a professional for advice on repairs or restoration.
6. Seek Professional Care for Antique Quilts
If you own an antique or fragile quilt, it is best to seek the help of a professional conservator for cleaning and repairs. Antique quilts often require special handling and techniques to preserve their historical value and condition.
Free Printable Quilt Care Gift Tags
I’ve created a set of cute gift tags that you can use next time you gift a quilt to someone! Simply fill out the form, and we will email you a copy.
The gift tags include pink/aqua and red/blue quilt blocks. Choose the one you like the best to attach to your gift!
Most of all, don’t be afraid to use your quilts! We have several at our home that I rotate frequently based on the seasons. I look forward to swapping out our quilts every few months.
Yes, they can get dirty with use, but I’m also not someone who always has to have everything perfect all the time.
The way I look at it, a quilt is better off being loved, even if it gets dirty than sitting forgotten on a shelf in my closet.
