A well-made cotton quilt can outlive the person who made it. Whether it does depends far more on how it is washed, dried and stored than on how it was sewn.
The good news is that quilt care is simple. Most of it comes down to one idea: be gentle, and wash less often than you think.
How often to wash
As rarely as you can. A quilt on a bed in a home without small children or pets may only need a wash about once a year, with an airing in between. Otherwise, wash it when it looks or feels dirty rather than on a schedule. Every wash wears the fibres a little.
Washing step by step
1. Check the colours
On a new quilt with reds or dark colours, dab a damp white cloth on a hidden corner of each colour. If colour comes off, wash with extra care and a colour-catcher sheet.
2. Cold water, gentle cycle
Use cold water and the gentlest cycle with the lowest spin. Never hot water: it shrinks cotton and encourages dyes to run.
3. Mild detergent
A small amount of gentle, fragrance-free liquid detergent. No bleach and no fabric softener.
4. Add a colour catcher
One or two colour-catcher sheets in the drum pick up loose dye before it settles on the white areas.
5. Rinse well
A splash of white vinegar in the rinse removes leftover soap, which can otherwise stiffen the fabric and attract dirt.
6. Never wring
A wet quilt is heavy and its stitches are under strain. Lift it out supported in your arms, and press or roll water out in towels rather than twisting it.
Hand wash these
Vintage quilts, hand-quilted pieces and quilts with appliqué are safer washed by hand in a clean bath, in cool water, with several rinses. A very old or precious quilt may be better not washed at all; ask a textile conservator.
Drying
Air drying is safest. Lay the quilt flat on clean towels or a sheet, or drape it over several lines so its weight is spread out.
Dry it in the shade. Strong sunlight fades dyes, and in Kenya a few afternoons on the line can bleach a quilt's colours noticeably.
If you use a tumble dryer, choose low heat and take the quilt out while it is still slightly damp, then finish drying flat.
Spot cleaning
Treat a spill straight away. Dab, rather than rub, with cold water and a little mild detergent, and use a soft toothbrush for anything stubborn. Pressing water through with a sponge is kinder to the fabric than scrubbing.
Storing a quilt
| Do | Avoid |
|---|---|
| Store it clean | Putting it away dirty, which invites insects and stains |
| Keep it cool, dry and dark | Sunny windows, damp rooms, and hot roof spaces |
| Wrap it in a cotton pillowcase or sheet | Plastic bags, which trap moisture, and bare cardboard |
| Refold it a different way every few months | Leaving the same folds for years, which weakens the fibres along the creases |
| Lay it flat on a spare bed if you can | Heavy things stacked on top |
At the coast, where the air is humid, give stored quilts an airing every few months so damp does not settle in the folds.
Making a quilt? Start right
Care starts before the first stitch. Pre-washing reds and darks removes loose dye before it can stain a light fabric beside it. Our guide to prewashing quilting cotton explains when it matters, and good-quality fabric from established mills holds its colour far better than cheap prints.
Planning your next quilt?
See our quilting cottons, solids and wide backing at our shop at Muthaiga Mini Market, or order for delivery across Kenya.
Shop quilting fabricOr message us on 0798 316 860
Care advice drawn from AccuQuilt, Suzy Quilts and Patchwork Posse.
