How to Care for a New Cotton Quilt
Because cotton shrinks, it's important to wash the fabric infrequently to preserve its shape and prevent tearing. A quilt constructed of 100 percent cotton fabric and fill will wear evenly over time whether it's displayed or stored. If you've purchased a handmade quilt and have access to the artist, ask if the fabrics were pre-washed before assembly and if the quilt has been washed since then to predict possible color bleeding.
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Things You'll Need
- Quilt rack
- Foam padding squares
- White cotton sheet
- Unbleached muslin sheet
- Acid-free paper box
- Vacuum
- Books
- Upholstery attachment
- Pantyhose
- Quilting detergent
- Detergent for delicates
- White towels
Instructions
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General Care
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1
Display the quilt out of direct sunlight to avoid fading.
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2
Rotate a displayed quilt every six months. Either move it to a different room so it will be exposed to different sources of light and contaminants or place it in storage to allow the fabric to rest.
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3
Store the quilt flat when possible, either on a bed, hung on a wall or hung on a quilt rack.
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4
Layer foam padding between folded sections of the quilt to prevent creases and wrinkling.
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5
Wrap a folded quilt in a white cotton or unbleached muslin sheet before storing in a closet or chest.
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Store folded quilts in a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment, preferably in an acid-free paper box. Never store quilts in a basement or garage.
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Unfold stored quilts and refold them differently two to three times a year to prevent permanent creasing of the fabric.
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Vacuum displayed quilts every six months to remove dirt and debris.
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Wash displayed quilts no more than once a year unless heavily soiled. Wash stored quilts every five years. Never dry clean the quilt. The agitation of the dry cleaning process will deteriorate the fabric.
Vacuuming Quilts
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Lay out the quilt on a clean, flat surface.
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Weight the corners to keep the quilt in place. You can also kneel on the quilt as you work.
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Cover the upholstery attachment of your vacuum cleaner with nude pantyhose and secure with a rubber band.
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Turn the vacuum on its lowest setting.
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Start at the upper left corner and vacuum in 12-inch downward strokes, working from left to right across the quilt. Repeat the process with a new section until you've vacuumed the entire quilt. Don't vacuum in one long stroke from top to bottom or left to right. The continuous strain on the fabric will cause threads to break.
Washing Quilts
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15
Line your bathtub with a clean white sheet.
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Fill the bathtub with cool water and a quilt detergent or detergent for delicate fabrics.
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Unfold the quilt and place it in the water.
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Press the quilt with your hands to move the water and detergent through the fabric. Don't lift or swirl the quilt in the water to agitate it. The weight of a wet quilt will cause the fabric and threads to weaken.
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Allow the quilt to soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Observe it frequently and examine it for evidence of color bleed, like discolored water or colors seeping from one block to another.
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Drain the water and fill the bathtub with fresh water. Repeat step 4 to remove all soapy water. Repeat this process twice to remove all traces of detergent.
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21
Wrap the quilt in the sheet and press out the excess water.
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Cover a work surface with white towels.
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Lift the quilt out of the tub while still wrapped in the sheet. Place your arms under the quilt at both ends and lift evenly to prevent stressing it.
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Unwrap the quilt and lay it on top of the towels. Cover it with another layer of towels and press to absorb as much water as possible.
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Allow the quilt to dry flat. Place it on a fresh bed of dry towels, lay it on a quilt rack or hang it on a clothesline covered with a clean sheet.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/BananaStock/Getty Images
