I think it’s finally time to take the winter quilts off the beds and clean them for storage (It’s 92 degrees today, although in Wisconsin you can never be too sure 😊). My friend Mary recently asked me for advice on doing this and I thought it might be helpful to share it with the rest of you. Here’s what I find works well for me:
I would avoid dry cleaning, especially since all the materials are washable.
Choose a rainfree/windfree day. Use a front loading washer, as it uses centrifugal force rather than the agitation of the toploader that can put pressure on stitches.
Load the quilt and select cold or lukewarm water and Orvus soap. This is available at quilt shops in small quantities or at Farm and Fleet – as a horse soap where it is much less expensive. I use it for delicates and it’s great for other laundry, especially if you have a septic system; as you need only a tablespoon per load, and it’s very gentle. Since we’re using cool water to wash the quilt, I dissolve the Orvus in a cup of warm water before adding it to the machine (can you tell I used this wooden spoon when dyeing my denim blue socks?)
Once the quilt is washed, I lay a sheet beneath the washer opening and gently dump the quilt out onto the sheet. Try not to yank or stretch anything as wet threads break easily.
Wrap it up in the sheet and carry it outside “Santa” style.
Lay a dry sheet out over an area of grass or a clump of bushes
and lay the wet quilt on it to air dry – this again is easier on the stitches than hanging it on a line.
If the sun is bright, or there is a fear of bird droppings, cover the quilt with another sheet. You may need to place heavy objects at the corners of the sheets to keep things from blowing if on the ground, or use clothspins to hold the sheet to the bush.
Once it’s dry – or almost dry – it can be air fluffed in the dryer on no/low heat for a few minutes. And remember to do any mending on the quilt before you carefully store it for the summer.
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I’m posting this week from the Cattail retreat center near Lodi Wisconsin. This is the third time I’ve been with this group and we’re having a wonderful time!
Sewing,
eating our retreat treats (and so much more),
and getting things done!
It’s been a blast and I’d like to leave you with a smile. Saturday was Laura’s birthday and we gave her a card from the gang:
We decided it almost looked like us, but not quite. Photoshop to the rescue – and Laura even joined in as a cat (per her request).
Happy birthday Laura! Thanks for planning another wonderful retreat!
Marcia Singer says
Thanks for excellent advise on washing antique quilt. Don’t have front load washer but have “hand wash” cycle on top loader. Have been told this is OK by appraiser. Like your drying ideas very much. Any advise on rust spots removal?
clkquilt says
I don’t know of any good ways to remove rust. Does anyone have suggestions???
Cindy Unruh says
Thanks for the tips. Hadn’t thought of the strain on wet threads. Now I just need to grow a quilt drying bush. Lol
Connie Schulz says
You must have been reading my mind. Have a donated quilt to wash before passing it on but needed to clean it first and now I know how. Thanks!
Debby Krzyston says
Hi Chris, I also have a front loader wash machine. I understand you deluded your Orvas in water. Did you add it directly onto your quilt while the door is open? Or add it to the detergent dispenser built into the machine?
Thanks for sharing your quilt washing information.
Happy quilting,
Debby Krzyston
clkquilt says
I add it to the detergent dispenser.
Debby Krzyston says
Thanks for letting me know to use my detergent dispenser.🤗
June Puls says
Chris,
We are anxiously waiting for you to have open lab at Sew Much More, when will you start these again?
June Puls
clkquilt says
Hi June,
Just waiting for Sew Much More to give us the ok! I look forward to seeing you there when it happens :-).
" class="comment-author-link" rel="external nofollow" itemprop="url">Dotty Sutfin says
Chris,
Thanks for coming to Cattail Retreat. It was fun to be able to talk to you and your group of ladies. Thanks for the information on washing quilts. Looking forward to your next visit.
Dotty Sutfin
Laura Krasinski says
Wow! What a weekend. Those of you who follow Chris knows she is a walking wealth of information. Every blog topic is so important but most important is Chris has been my best friend since my first class that I took with her in 2004. She has a heart of gold, Sharing all her experiences and techniques with us all. She is the real deal. God truly works through her. I love you my dear friend and enjoy our time together at retreats so much! Looking forward to the next one. And thank you for that awesome card and our interpretation of it. ❤️
Cari Janssen says
I enjoyed the reminder of how to wash quilts…I need to purchase Orvis,,I will have to somehow use your washing notes with the graduation quilts I giving this June..I love Cattails for a quilt retreat. I have not shopped some of the places Laura put on Facebook, maybe at August’s visit.
Sue Kilgore says
Chris is this how you wash wool bated quilts also?
Sue
clkquilt says
Hi Sue, I would use cold water to wash a quilt with a wool batt and actually have, with great results! Be aware that a wet wool batt smells like a wet dog (in my opinion). I usually add this information on the label of quilts with wool batts, especially if they will be gifted to someone.
Wanda says
Great washing/cleaning info; I love the bush info.