A quilt is a lovely addition to any bed, but just like any other piece of bedding, it will ultimately need to be washed. A quilt can become soiled from pet paw prints, child spills, and general wear. So how exactly do you wash a quilt?
A quilt is a thin bed cover made of two layers of cloth sandwiching batting. Owning a quilt, whether it be hand-stitched or machine-stitched, may have caused you to put off cleaning it out of concern for its quality. This how-to manual is for you, however, if you are unable to overlook those minor stains or a buildup of dust any longer.
Methods for Hand Washing a Quilt.
American Patchwork & Quilting advises against washing an antique or family heritage quilt unless it is absolutely necessary. If you must, wash it by hand. You shouldn’t put your quilt in the washing machine if it is old or hand-quilted since it is very sensitive. The stitching on a quilt might come undone if it is put in the washing machine.
How to hand wash a quilt is shown below.
You will require:
- Large sink or bathtub
- Drying stand
- pristine towels.
- mild liquid cleaner (dye-free, scent-free).
- clear vinegar
Examine the quilt.
Check your quilt for stains and damage before washing it. Now is the time to pull out the sewing kit and do any minor repairs if you see any loose threads or stretched-out seams. By doing so, you’ll prevent washing the quilt from exacerbating minor damage. Get assistance from a seamstress if you don’t have a sewing kit or sewing skills.
Get the tub ready.
Initially, check to see if your bathtub or big sink is clean. Make sure there is no soap residue by giving it a quick once-over with the water. After that, add cold water to the tub. Then fill the tub with your mild, dye- and perfume-free liquid detergent. If you can locate one, you may also use a specific quilt soap.
Gently agitate and soak the quilt.
Put the blanket completely under water. Gently jiggle the quilt in the water by giving it a few gentle swirls. This will aid in cleaning off any dirt. Allow the quilt to soak for ten to fifteen minutes.
After that, empty the tub of its soapy water. Fresh water should be added to the tub once again, along with a half-cup of distilled white vinegar. The quilt will be free of any detergent residue thanks to the vinegar, which will also help keep the fabric smooth after washing. Give the blanket one more minute of gentle swishing.
Clean the quilt.
After that, wash the quilt. Refill the tub with extra cold, fresh water after draining it once more. To get rid of any last bits of detergent, agitate the quilt in the water once more. Rinse the quilt many more times until all detergent is removed.
Take out and let air dry.
You must take out the blanket after draining the tub. You might need a companion to help you because a wet quilt is quite weighty.
You may gently squeeze some of the water out, but avoid wringing it out completely because it could damage the blanket. A damp quilt should not be hung on a clothesline since doing so runs the danger of ripping the seams. Use a drying rack as a substitute. Alternately, transfer the damp quilt on a bed of dry towels and lay it flat on the ground. To hasten the drying process, you might open a window or place a fan on the floor.
To help absorb some of the water, place more thick towels on top of the quilt. If you have sufficient towels, you can press or roll up the quilt in between towel beds before transferring it to another towel layer to complete drying.
Final thoughts
The bed is one of the greatest locations to keep your quilt. To avoid wrinkles, spread the quilt out on a freshly made bed. Place the quilt in a muslin or cotton bag and put it in a dark closet with a dry temperature if you need to store it away or don’t have an additional guest bed. Always stay clear from damp attics.
Knowing the right way to wash a quilt can help you preserve its beauty for years to come. You may also look at a well-known quilt supplies online shops to acquire some more ideas for your quilt.
