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"Be careless in your dress if
you must, but keep a tidy soul." --Mark Twain
Quilt Care
With
reasonable use and proper care Legacy Quilts can be expected to cover
and enrich generations of loved ones.
The
following tips on quilt care will help prolong the life of your quilt,
helping to preserve its colors and fabrics.
General
- Direct
sunlight is the worst enemy of quilts, causing colors to fade
and promoting fiber deterioration. Select a display location or
use on a bed that does not receive direct sunlight.
Cleaning
- Washable
quilts can be laundered in the delicate/slow cycle of
your washing machine. Use COLD water (never hot) and a reputable, mild
soap. (Quilt
Wash or a similar product is recommended.) Do not use
bleach. Hang dry out of direct sunlight.
- If
washing by hand, use cold or lukewarm water in a large
basin or tub. Rinse the quilt well to remove all soap. To remove
excess water, squeeze gently. Never wring or twist, as this
may break the quilting and sewing threads. Squeeze the quilt
and then roll it up between two thick towels to absorb excess
water.
- Do
not dry a wet quilt in an automatic dryer. The best way
to dry a quilt is to lay it flat on a clean sheet or towel, although
you may also hang quilts to dry. Again, avoid direct
sunlight.
- Do
not dry-clean a soiled quilt. Many quilts have been ruined
by dry cleaning. The best way to remove stains and oils
is by spot treating with mild soap and then washing in water using
a reputable, mild washing soap. Avoid harsh detergents. Never
use bleach. (Quilt
Wash or a similar product is recommended.)
- Surface
dust accumulations can be removed from the quilt by tumbling
for a few minutes in an automatic dryer on the air fluff
cycle (no
heat).
Display/Storage
- A
fabric hanging sleeve can be sewn to the back of the quilt,
enabling it to be hung for display. Thread the quilt over a sturdy
dowel, curtain rod, or lattice, and mount to a wall.
Large quilts
can also be folded and draped over a sturdy wall-mounted
or floor display. If using
this method, be sure to place a piece of fabric, such
as a pillowcase, between the quilt and any raw wooden
surface to protect the
fabric from the wood.
Every six months, quilts should be hung upside
down for a few days to relax the fibers.
- When
not in use, store the quilt in a dry, clean and dust-free
location. Moisture
and contact with wood are harmful to quilts. Place the quilt
in an all-cotton pillowcase, made from cotton muslin or an old
sheet. Do not store the quilt in a plastic bag, as plastic
does not allow the fabric to breathe properly. Do
not let the quilt contact the wood of shelves or drawers,
or the quilt
may become stained.
- If
the quilt is stored for a long period of time, check the
quilt every few months to detect any early signs of damage
from insects,
wood or moisture. Refold the quilt along different
fold lines to prevent any folds from becoming permanent.
Important Note: Quilts are not for infant sleeping. NEVER put a quilt in a bassinet or crib with a child. |
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