How Do I Store My Quilts?

Before you store quilts, they should be clean. At least gently vacuum the quilt using low suction setting. Vacuum the quilt through a clean fine fiberglass screen which will prevent any part of the quilt from being drawn into the hose. Vacuum both sides. If you decide to clean the quilt by washing it, see "How do I clean my soiled quilt?"

Storage areas used for quilts should be clean, cool, dry and dark with minimal temperature or humidity changes. Ideally, a quilt would be stored laying flat in a safe, dark place but if that is not possible, pad folds using acid free tissue paper or rolls of washed unbleached muslin or old sheets. Wrap the folded quilt in washed unbleached muslin or a clean white sheet. Some people store quilts flat on an unused bed, several deep, separated by clean sheets and covered with a clean sheet.

Most sources recommend storage in large size acid free textile boxes. Pack loosely, placing 1 or 2 quilts into a box rather than as many as you can squeeze in the box. Do not wrap in plastic and do not use airtight containers. Air the quilt at least yearly by laying it flat on a bed for a few hours or days. Refold in a different configuration than previously to prevent deep creases. You might tape a note to the box to document when the quilts were last aired.

For additional information on quilt care, check the Quilt Heritage Listserv web site at www.quilthistory.com. Also the Smithsonian Institution web site at http://www.si.edu/resource/faq/nmah/textiles.htm gives lots of detailed information on quilt care.

Sources for purchasing acid free storage products include:

• University Products, Inc.
  P. O. Box 101, Holyoke MA 01041
  (800)628-1912
  web site: www.universityproducts.com
• Light Impressions
  P. O. Box 11708, Rochester NY 14692-2708
  (800) 828-6216
  FAX(800)828-5539
  web site: www.lightimpressionsdirect.com
• TALAS
  568 Broadway, NY NY 10012
  (212)219-0770
  web site: www.talas-nyc.com

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

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