The Spruce / Nanor Zinzalian
Vintage quilts requirespecial careto preserve them for generations to come.
Don’t dry-clean, machine-wash, or put an old or handmade quilt in the dryer.
If the quilt has beading, embroidery, or appliques, skip vacuuming or you could damage the work.
The Spruce / Nanor Zinzalian
Tip
Your vintage quilt may only need freshening and not washing.
Test Colorfastness
Check the fabric and any stitching for colorfastness.
Fill the Washing Basin
Fill a deep laundry sink or bathtub with cold water.
The Spruce / Nanor Zinzalian
Add Detergent
Use a mild liquid detergent free of dyes and perfumes.
Liquid detergent disperses in the water, leaving less residue on the fabric than powdered detergent.
Add 1/2 cupdistilled white vinegarto the water to both brighten colors and soften the quilt.
Wash by Hand
Place the quilt in the water and ensure that the entire quilt gets wet.
Gently swish the quilt around in the water.
Allow it to remain in the water for about 10 minutes.
Rinse the Quilt
Drain the wash water, and fill the tub again with fresh water.
Repeat draining and refilling the basin until the water and quilt are soap-free.
Allow the excess water to drain.
The Spruce / Nanor Zinzalian
Remember to handle wet quilts gentlypulling can break seams and cause damage.
Placing a fan in the room will help speed up the process.
To be safe, only clean your quilt when necessary.
The Spruce / Nanor Zinzalian
If you feel uncomfortable washing your quilt, search for a qualified quilt conservation or restoration service.
When washing, set aside at least two days for the handwashing and drying process.
Once cleaned, allow for additional drying time before storing your quilt.
The Spruce / Nanor Zinzalian
Spread out the quilt and examine it carefully for any worn patches, rips, or stains.
Repair the quilt if you sew well using small stitches and matching thread color.
Find a reputable quilt repair or restoration service if you don’t feel confident tackling the repairs.
The Spruce / Nanor Zinzalian
They can restore your quilt or tell you if the damage is beyond repair.
Keeping the quilt flat will eliminate creases and wear on folds.
Don’t store your vintage quilt in an attic or basement, where moisture and temperature levels fluctuate.
The Spruce / Nanor Zinzalian
Additionally, don’t store an antique quilt in a cedar chest.
If the quilt touches raw wood, the acid in the wood can eat away at the quilt.
The chemicals in the balls could break down the quilt’s fragile fibers.
The Spruce / Nanor Zinzalian
Additional Tips for Washing a Vintage Quilt
No.
Avoid putting an old quilt in a washing machine.
Even the delicate cycle of a washing machine could harm the fabric, batting, and detailing.
The Spruce / Nanor Zinzalian
A vintage quilt should only be washed by hand in a tub or large basin.
Remove dust by vacuuming the quilt on a flat surface or hanging from a clothesline using the brush attachment.
Hover above the quilt’s surface using the attachment to suck up dirt.
The Spruce / Nanor Zinzalian
Bypass this vacuuming step if the quilt has any embellishments.
After vacuuming, hand the quilt outdoors for a few hours to refresh the fabric.
Caring for Keepsakes and Heirlooms.FabricLink.
The Spruce / Nanor Zinzalian
