If you have an heirloom quilt you want to preserve, there are a few basic dos and don’ts you will need to understand.

First of all, fabrics don’t last forever. You can, however, extend the life of a fabric with proper care. The care techniques you choose will depend greatly on whether you plan to use or store the quilt.

If storing it, clean it first. Use a hand held vacuum to clean the quilt, especially if it is very old.

Remember, water breaks down the fabric fibers. Look for any food spots or stains. Bugs love to feed on stains so you will need to remove any that you find.

Use a hydrogen based cleaner (like the OxyCleaners that are so popular) to remove the stains. If you used a liquid spot cleaner, allow the quilt to dry thoroughly before storing it.

Never store a quilt in a plastic bag because fabrics need to breathe. Plastic can also trap in moisture and cause your heirloom quilts to mildew. Instead, fold them and wrap them in a lightweight fabric like muslin or a white broadcloth.

When you do your annual spring (or fall) cleaning, take the quilts out, refold them and once again wrap with the outer fabric before returning to your storage closet. This gives you a chance to check for bugs and to refold them a different way to avoid developing permanent folds in the quilts.

Avoid the urge to store them in boxes, too. Bugs are attracted to the glue used in cardboard. Termites can even attack corrugated cardboard. You don’t want any kind of destructive bugs to attack your stored heirloom quilt.

When it comes to storing your heirloom quilts, use common sense. Don’t store them in a closet that is prone to molding and mildew. Plan to take them out, vacuum (with a hand vac) and refold them on a regular basis.

If you plan to use your heirloom quilt on a bed, you will need to be able to wash and dry it. Always use the most gentle cycle your machine offers and dry at the lowest possible setting. But, take special care to make sure your quilt is thoroughly dry so it will not mildew or develop mold spots.

Hanging heirloom quilts is not the best way to display them. Hanging pulls on the fabrics and can cause stretching of the fibers, which leads to much quicker disintegration of the quilt. Instead, display the quilt by using it for its original purpose – as a bed covering.

If you do use your heirloom quilt for bedding, be extra careful not to expose the quilt do direct sunlight. A large window might beautifully brighten your bedroom, but that sunlight can horribly damage your quilt.

Having said that a bed is the best place to display a quilt requires a little disclaimer. It is not best to display an heirloom quilt on a child’s bed. The biggest reason is the wear that the quilt will get. Children inadvertently get crayon or pencil marks on their bedding. Stickers with super sticky adhesive can ruin and heirloom.

Children are more likely to have viruses or incontinence issues that will require more frequent cleaning of their bedding. An antique quilt might not be able to withstand that kind of frequent, thorough cleaning.

If you have inherited or bought an old lap quilt or wall hanging, consider using it as a table topper for a barely used table. Never use an antique quilt on your frequently used dining table because spills will require frequent washings. Again, remember not to use them on tables in front of windows to avoid sun damage.

Penny Halgren
Master Quilter