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Caring For Vintage Quilts: Cleaning & Storage Tips
Here’s an article I found in a very old household notebook that I was lucky enough to come in possession of, it gives helpful information for cleaning and caring for old quilts.
Stack Of Vintage Quilts In Closet
Caring For Vintage Quilts
I have done research on laundering old quilts. Don’t dry clean a cotton quilt. Weight of the fluid may place more stress than water on old fabric.
- Washing in mild soap and warm water will brighten the colors, or you might use dishwashing (not dishwasher) detergent. Most quilts can take a short, gentle washer agitation. Rinse thoroughly.
- If the quilt is age-marked, soak in a solution of one quart buttermilk and one tablespoon white vinegar to each gallon of water before washing. This won’t damage a cotton quilt.
- Hang a wet quilt over two lines to distribute weight while drying. You can finish drying by a short fluffing on warm temperature in the dryer.
- If fortunate enough to have an all-white quilt, try sunbleaching. Our grandmothers placed white garments on clean grass and the sun–not the bleach bottle–did the job.
- Don’t store quilts in plastic; it may cause yellowing. Instead, wrap in clean paper and then wrap with several sheets of newspaper to prevent mildew.
- Store singly in boxes as stacking quilts will weaken the fabric at the folds.
You’ll also find some tips on laundering vintage linens here: Vintage Linens: Soaks & Cleaning Recipes.
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Re: washing old quilts. Last night at quilt guild we were fortunate to have a museum director talk about old quilts. Her advice on washing old (pre 1930) quilts…don’t. Especially, don’t try to wash crazy quilts! They will fall apart. And store them away from light in an old shett. Wood, as shown in the accompaying picture will discolor the old quilts. Refold a couple times a year to avoid permanent damage at the fold lines. Finally, write down as much as you know about the quilt…maker, location, etc and store with the quilt. This information will add to the value of the quilt down the line.