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Quilts are passed down from generation to generation. Old quilts must be handled with great care. Over time the fabric and batting can become weak. If the quilt is tied, then it is more prone to problems if not handled properly. When a quilt has small quilting stitches then it is more secure.
Old quilts must be properly handled, cleaned, stored and/or displayed. Do not clean the quilt unless you have to. Try not to get your old quilt dirty in the first place. You may just need to air it out instead of cleaning it. If it has a musty odor airing will do the job. The less you clean a quilt the longer it will last. Cleaning, even dry cleaning, can breakdown the quilt fibers. Dry cleaning or wet cleaning anything but a brand new quilt is not recommended. Batting in old quilts can easily become lumpy and may shift position.
Another less stressful way to clean an old quilt is by using a hand vacuum. Put the vacuum on its lowest setting and use the brush attachment. You do not want a strong suction when vacuuming an old quilt. Get a piece of plastic window screen (about two feet by two feet) and edge the screen with some cotton tape. Place the screen between the quilt and the vacuum. Remember do not vacuum a very delicate, fragile piece or anything made from silk.
If you must wash a quilt to clean it, do it by hand only. First fold it and soak the quilt in a tub of warm water and a mild detergent for about 15-30 minutes. You can gently agitate with your hand in an up and down motion only. If one soaking does not clean the quilt enough, then repeat the soaking. Any quilt will be heavy when it is soaked with water. Keep the quilt folded and flat to prevent stretching. Do not scrub an old quilt. The fabric may rip more easily than you realize.
After the quilt is clean, drain the tub of water. Keeping the quilt folded, lay on a fiberglass window screen to let the remaining water drain from the quilt. This may take some time. Do not let your quilt be directly in sunlight. Sunlight can fade a quilt, even in a short time. Do not put your quilt in the dryer. Do not hang your quilt from a clothesline.
When you store a quilt remember that a quilt needs to breathe. In order to breathe do not put the quilt in any kind of plastic bag. Gently fold the quilt, or roll the quilt and store in the open between clean cotton sheets. The sheets will keep the dust off the quilts. If you have an extra bed, then place them on the foot of the bed under the sheet.
Another way to store quilts is to fold it so that it will fit into an acid-free box. Be sure the box is big enough so you won’t have to stuff the quilt into it. You can also store in a closet or a dresser. It is always a good idea to line the drawer or closet space with acid-free paper or pre-washed cotton muslin (or clean cotton sheet).
You have to fold a quilt to store it, but it must be folded correctly. You want to prevent sharp creases. To help prevent creases, place acid-free tissue or wadded muslin in each fold. Do not fold the quilt the same way every time you get it out and store it again. Refold each quilt every quarter year. The minimum you should refold is twice a year. Each time you refold use different folding patterns. This will prevent the same areas from getting stretched each time.
If you can get some large cardboard tubes, like carpet tubes, roll the quilt onto it and a cotton sheet. Be sure the design of the quilt is on the outside. After rolling the entire quilt onto the tube, cover the entire thing with another cotton sheet. This way of storing quilts is better than folding.
Most people want to display their quilts. A good way to preserve your quilts, when you have many, is to rotate them on and off of the beds and walls of your home. A quilt can be like a piece of artwork on your wall. Remember wherever you put it be sure and do not leave it there forever. Rotate your art and your quilts. By putting the quilt on a bed is another way to display it. It can put on the bed by draping it over the top in some artistic way. It does not have to be used. If you do decide to use the quilt, be sure a cotton sheet is between you and the quilt. This will keep oil and sweat off the quilt and prevent soiling.
To hang a quilt on the wall you need to evenly distribute the weight to prevent stress on the fabric. A good way to do this is to hand sew a sleeve for a dowel or rod to fit through. The quilt needs to be sturdy before hanging it on the wall for display.
When you live in an area where it is hot, humid and has insects, then you need to take special care of your quilts. Quilts can be a treasured possession and be worth money as well. It does not matter if the quilt is old or new, bought or inherited from your grandmother, if you want the quilt to live on for future generations. Try to avoid problems before they happen.
Avoiding problems (a stitch in time saves nine) is the best way to preserve a quilt. UV light is bad for any fabric. Indoor fluorescent lighting is bad. If it can damage your skin, it can damage a quilt, especially an old one. Extreme temperatures are not good for a quilt. The heat and the cold can stretch and contract the fibers in fabric and slowly tear the quilt apart. Moisture is not good for a quilt. Mold and mildew are not healthy for you or your quilt.
Insects pose a special problem when you are trying to preserve an old quilt. The protein fibers in the quilt fabric attract bugs of many kinds. Rodents like to use the batting for nesting material.
Take care of your quilts and they will last you and your family a long time. Deal with problems before they happen and you will save yourself many difficulties.
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