How Do I Clean My Soiled Quilt?

It may be sufficient to just vacuum the quilt using a low suction setting. Vacuum small sections at a time through a clean, fine mesh fiberglass screen. The screen will prevent any part of the quilt from being drawn into the hose. Vacuum both sides. Most experts warn strongly against dry cleaning quilts. The chemicals are harsh and the agitation process vigorous.

If you have what you believe to be a valuable vintage quilt and are concerned about preserving it, you may want to contact a certified textile conservator. The conservator can advise on current recommended procedures on cleaning quilts and be hired to clean the quilt. The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works maintains a web site at http://aic.stanford.edu. The web site will give information on textile care and finding a conservator in your area.

It is possible to wet clean or wash some quilts by hand. Generally, silk and wool quilts should not be washed. Cotton and linen quilts, if in good condition can be washed with caution. Be aware that there are many kinds of permanent damage that can occur when you wash a quilt. Dyes can run, change color or fade. Shrinkage of the fabric can occur. Sometimes the whole quilt shrinks but worse, sometimes only certain fabrics shrink leaving you with a puckered quilt which will never again lay flat.

Before you wash, test each fabric in the quilt for colorfastness by placing a drop of warm distilled water on each piece to be tested, then blot with a white cloth or paper towel. If any leave color on the blotting cloth, stop immediately. Be warned that even if no colors run during the test, you may find that they may bleed when thoroughly soaked during the washing process.

Any quilt that you want to last awhile should be washed by hand, not machine. Line a bathtub or child's wading pool with a clean white sheet with the edges hanging out of the tub. A wet quilt is very heavy and can be damaged by lifting it directly. Hence the sheet "sling." Start by soaking the quilt in tepid water for up to 12 hours with several water changed. Whenever draining water, do not let the suction pull or stretch the quilt.

If soaking in clear water does not clean your quilt, you may want to proceed with adding Orvus, a neutral detergent, Ivory Soap Flakes or Fells Naptha. Rinse thoroughly as least 10 times with tepid water. Conservators suggest distilled water for the whole process though you should at least use it for the final rinse.

Stain removal is a whole other topic. Working too vigorously on a stain can strain or otherwise damage that area. Often, a stain, using whatever method, seems to be gone only to reappear several months later. You may find that you will have to accept and live with stains.

Let the quilt lay in the tub several hours after draining the last rinse water. Do not squeeze or ring. Using the sheet sling, carry the quilt outdoors and place on a prepared bed of mattress pads or thick towels. Gently spread the quilt, squaring the corners, cover with more towels and press down to remove excess water. Remove top towels, move off the wet bed and still on the sling, cover with another clean white sheet and let it dry thoroughly, turning over once.

You may want to read other articles such as the "Quilt Care" and "Cleaning Antique Quilts" articles on the Quilt Heritage Listserv web site at www.quilthistory.com. Many books discuss and illustrate the hand washing process. First Aid for Family Quilts by Nancy O'Bryant Puentes covers this subject.

Prepared by Margaret Wood, quilt artist and author, 9/00.

 

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