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Quilt Care and Washing Tips
Airing your quilt
If your quilt is musty smelling or just needs to be freshened up, air the quilt outside on a sunny day. This method is the least damaging to your quilt.
Provide support for your quilt by laying it on a mesh patio table or across three clothes lines to distribute the weight and avoid tearing as it hangs down. Cover the quilt with a white flat sheet to keep the sun from fading fabrics. You can also place a second sheet under the quilt to keep it clean.
Washing your quilt
If your quilt is stained or needs washing, proceed slowly.
Please note that dry cleaning at a dry cleaner's shop is not dry. This method is not recommended for quilts made of 100% cotton, a natural fiber. Dry cleaning chemicals work better with synthetic fabrics.
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Wet Washing
Before wetting your quilt, test the fabrics for color fastness.
1. Use a dry piece of white cotton fabric and rub it across the fabric surface on the quilt. If there is dye transfer onto the dry fabric, do not wet wash the quilt.
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2. If there is no dye transfer onto the dry fabric, dampen the piece of fabric and gently rub it across the fabric surface on the quilt. If there is dye transfer, do not wet wash this quilt. Stains may be able to be cleaned without washing the entire quilt.
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3. If you do wet wash the quilt, wash by hand in a large tub with a gentle detergent such as Orvus. Use as little agitation as possible. Once wet, the quilt will be heavy. To avoid tearing the quilt, put a white flat sheet under the quilt and lift holding only onto the sheet.
4. Rinse the quilt as often as needed to remove any detergent. Gently press the quilt to remove as much water as possible as you drain the tub. Lay the quilt flat and continue to press dry with towels.
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5.Lay the quilt flat to air dry.
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