I purchased a beautiful Wedding Band quilt made all by hand. It has a few small stains on it and I would like to somehow clean it. I have made my own laundry soap but would like suggestions from anyone as to how I should go about cleaning something this old. It appears to be in good condition just a bit musty.
gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts
Posted - Mar 16 2009 : 10:31:35 AM
I would spot treat with water and hang out in the sun to dry and air out. Not knowing about the fabric and the thread I would think long and hard about the washing machine. How about dry cleaning? I have the do it at home system and it does a good job.
I would never put an old quilt in a washing machine. If you wanted to wash it, you could gently swish it around in the tub with a small amount of a very gentle soap, rinse carefully, roll up in towels to soak out the most of the water before putting it on the line. Also I would drape the quilt over towels across the line so there isn't too much strain on the material. I wouldn't dry clean because i'd be afraid of the chemicals. The sun is often all an old quilt needs. I bet if you looked at The American Quilt's Society web page, they would have some information for you...
Thank you Diana and Karin. I think I will gently hand wash in the tub and hang on the clothes line in the sun. Sunshine and fresh air are good for me as I do love how it makes your sheets and things smell so fresh. The dry cleaners were a concern for me as well.
I wash them with my homemade laundry detergent on a gentle cycle. I put the quilt in the dryer at a low heating. Add tennis balls in the dryer to help the blanket from knotting up. Can line-dry also.
Just soak it...never agitate it in a washing machine. To dry it lay out towels or a heavy sheet on the lawn & let it dry in a hot but shady spot. The weight of a wet quilt can damage seams & placing it in the sun can fade the old material. I have been a quilter & quilt collector for years. ( & did my share of quilt damage before I learned the proper methods of cleaning them)
"I want a world that is sane & just & clean & willing to do my part to make it so"
How do you wash your old quilts?
Posted - Mar 16 2009 : 10:20:03 AM
