How to Dry a Quilt

Lay a quilt outside to dry.

A handmade quilt can last for generations and become a treasured family heirloom with proper care. Most quilts hold up well when washed in a home washing machine or a commercial washer. Fragile quilts may require handwashing. Care should always be taken when drying the quilt to ensure its long life and maintain its appearance. Avoid placing the quilt into a clothes dryer because the stitching of the quilt can tear. A clothes dryer may also cause the colors of the quilt to fade.

Things You'll Need

• Towels
• Fan

Instructions

1. Spread towels over a dry surface. A quilt can be dried indoors or outside in the warm sunlight.

2. Remove the quilt from the washing machine or washing tub by rolling or folding the quilt into a bundle. Lift the entire quilt up at once. A wet quilt is heavy and lifting the quilt by one end will put excessive weight on the quilt's stitches and can cause them to tear loose.

3. Lay the quilt on the dry towels. Spread it out flat across the towels.

4. Place an oscillating fan near the quilt to dry it quickly. If the quilt is outside, the sunlight will dry it fast; a fan is not necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Most quilts will dry within 24 hours.

• A quilt allowed to remain wet for an extended time may mold.

References

• Amish Country Quilts: Our Quilt Care Advice
• The Quilt Maker: Caring For Your Quilt
• "Bishop Museum"; Wet Cleaning Quilts At Home; 1996

Resources

• "The Quilting Coach"; Washing and Drying Your Quilt; Penny Halgren