How To Wash A Quilt

Two Methods: The Consensus vs My Method

How I Used to Wash My Quilts

In the past I always took my quilts to the dry cleaners. However, it always meant waiting for the quilt for at least one week. In the past, I had no option but to haul the quilt to the dry cleaners and wait one week. This is because our washing machine was a small guy. Afterall, this is Europe and everything is smaller. Cars are smaller, kitchen appliances are smaller, the washing machine is smaller.

Then, one day the small guy washing machine went to heaven. There was a big moment of rejoicing because the old machine was old and suffering and not able to do his job well at all. It was now time to shop for a replacement!

As it so happened, there was a promotion! A large capacity front load machine was on sale, and it was the same price as the standard small guy machine. Yessssss!

But, would it fit? Next, there were heart pounding calculations to understand if it would fit through the doors of an old Roman building, a narrow staircase, and into the old machine space. God bless technology! This large capacity machine was designed to work in a smaller framed machine. It was small enough. MIND BLOWING!! It was possible to have it!

I could now wash so much at one time and the best part…I could wash my quilt at home!!

By the way, I want you to know that I do not pre-wash any of my fabric before I quilt. 
The first wash of anything and everything is after my quilt is 100% complete.

How to Wash a Quilt – The Consensus vs Me:

I read my quilt books about washing my quilt. I consulted a multitude of blog posts on quilt washing. I even read the comments people posted about quilt washing. I studied and studied and studied. I even said a prayer.

The consensus said:

Wash on a gentle cycle or Hand Wash in a tub
Use a low spin cycle
Use a cold temperature
Use a gentle detergent without perfumes or dyes
Avoid fabric softener, especially with perfumes or dyes.
Use 1 or 2 color catcher sheets
Line dry or lay in the sun
Do not put it in the dryer
Iron on low setting

I really thought about it. And I considered everything. Then I did what made me the most comfortable.

This is what I did:

Washed on a gentle cycle
Used a low spin cycle* (continue reading)
Used a warm temperature! 30° Celsius or 86° Fahrenheit
Used a regular detergent with perfume of lavender, purple soap color
Used a standard liquid fabric softner with perfume, blue soap color
Used 2 color catcher sheets (this is important)
Rinse cycle and highest spin. (I think removing the soap is key to preserving the quilt. Yes, this is not a typo, I used the highest spin.)
Used the dryer on a cotton setting.

NOTES: Comments on the Dryer and Ironing

The moment the washer ended, I put the quilt directly into the dryer. Checking on it from time to time to make sure no disaster was happening.
Ironed with steam to get the wrinkles out.

What happened:

The point is, as usual with quilting, I did what I was most comfortable doing. When it came time to wash my quilt, I relied on my years of experience washing clothes. I am really laughing right now;) Don’t we all have this experience!! Since there was no knot in my stomach, I really felt this was the right choice for me. Perhaps if I had delicate hand stitching I would have worried more.

But, can I tell you?  I hand stitched my binding and it was perfectly intact when all was said and done.

The point is, I am thrilled with the outcome of my washed quilt! Especially because Spring is here; the heavy blanket is put away and my washed quilt is on our bed. My quilt is clean, perfumed, ironed, and in perfect condition after washing it at home. Nothing bad happened at all.

How often will I wash it:

Not often at all. If I can get away with it, I will wash only one time a year. However, if I need to wash a quilt sooner, you can bet that I will follow my quilt washing steps all over again!

If you have comments about how you washed your quilt, please comment below! I would love to read your strategies and advice.

Top Take Away Tips

Front Load washing machine – A front load machine is perhaps “safer” for washing a quilt. In the sense that, maybe a top load machine, with a cylinder in the center, may rub a bit too much on the quilt. My guess is that it will wear it down faster but probably not pop the quilted stitches.

Color Catcher Sheets – these are key to preventing bleeding of colors. Really only wash the quilt with these.

Rinse Cycle – I am a believer that soap residue is a slow eating problem. Better to rinse it all off and out of the quilt.

Spin Cycle – My experience with quilt wash and all other fabric is to get as much water as possible out of the item. This prevents color bleeding, and moldy odor. In a front load machine, try not to be afraid of the high spin.

Direct Transfer from Washer to Dryer – This advice was made in the comments of a blog post. The woman who wrote, is a veteran quilter of many years. Her advice seemed sage and fool proof.  She strongly advised direct transfer from the washer to the dryer. She said the color bleeding often happens when the quilt isn’t promptly removed from the washing machine. In other words, don’t let your quilt sit in the washing machine. When the cycle is finished, get it outta there!

So happy about my quilt results. I just wish the quilt would come out wrinkle free but I suppose that is what an iron is for. I just pressed those wrinkles out of my quilt. I laid it on my bed and I just stepped back and smiled. I loved how it turned out. I hope you will love yours too.

Sending you lots of quilt joy from Rome!

Rachel xoxo