What is A Quilt?
A quilt can be simplified as a thin bed cover batting between two layers of fabrics. It usually makes a great addition to your bed but would need regular washing because of all the dirt, spills, and pet paws it accumulates daily. Therefore like any other bedding material, it also needs washing at regular intervals.
Here are some tips for washing a quilt. Hand-washing is the safest method. You can also use the gentle cycle or lint roller. Drying the quilt on low heat is also an option. The final step is to fold and store it. To remove pet hair and lint, use a lint roller or white cloth to wipe it clean. You can also use diluted detergent in a 1:2 ratio with water when washing a quilt.
Hand-washing Is The Safest Method
If you don’t have access to a washing machine, you can wash your quilt by hand. This method can be time-consuming, but it is effective in cleaning quilts that are sensitive to detergents.
Before cleaning your quilt, check for loose threads and stretched seams. If any, make a note of the repairs that need to be made. It’s best to shake your quilt outdoors to remove accumulated dust, pet fur, and other dirt that can damage fabric fibers. You can also use a vacuum cleaner to remove pet fur.
- Fill a large bathtub with water and detergent and soak the quilt for 30 minutes before washing.
- Rinse thoroughly to remove excess water and repeat the process as necessary. This method is safe for all types of quilts but is more time-consuming.
There are many different types of detergents for quilts, and you should select a colorless and unscented one. Baby shampoo and castile soap are excellent choices. If you’re not sure which detergent to use, try using distilled white vinegar instead. Vinegar can help keep the color of a quilt from fading. Use a gentle cycle with cold water and use an unscented detergent to wash your quilt.
While quilts are an excellent addition to a bed only a comforter can match the comfort and coziness of a quilt. Quilts are almost similar to comforters in features; they might only vary while figuring the comforter size and dimensions in inches. But both are always a great addition to the comfort and coziness of your bed.
Using A Gentle Cycle
If you want to keep your quilt looking as good as the day it was purchased, use the gentle cycle on your washing machine. This cycle uses low agitation and little to no spin. The no-spin cycle may leave too much water in the quilt, so it is best to avoid it. Also, use a mild detergent, such as Woolite, to prevent fading. A little vinegar can refresh a quilt after washing.
Most quilts are machine-friendly and will not need to be washed by hand. Instead, you should use cold water and a detergent designed for fine fabrics. Always make sure to remove any stains before you begin the wash. If you plan to machine-wash your quilt, read the washing instructions to make sure that it is free of lint or any other material that could damage the fabric.
Once the quilt is clean, rinse it in cold water to remove any residue. If necessary, repeat the process. After washing, you should make sure that the detergent is removed and that your quilt is completely dry. If the fabric is still wet, it will shrink and lose its luster. This is a good thing. It keeps the fabric soft and supple.
Apart from comforters, even blankets have been known to stylize your bedroom while keeping you comfortable and warm. These blankets are usually large enough to cover a person and also small enough to be carried around easily. A detailed guide to throw blankets would give you a correct perspective of what this blanket is usually capable of in terms of stylized design and comfort.
Drying On Low Heat
When you’re finished washing and drying your quilt, you can either hang it to dry on a clothesline or put it in the dryer on low heat. If you’re not comfortable hanging the quilt on the line, you can try air drying it.
- To begin drying a quilt, place it on a towel-covered rack.
- Turn the quilt over to let it air-dry from the bottom.
- Once the top is dry, flip it and repeat the drying process.
To Wash A Quilt On Low Heat
Use a laundry detergent that doesn’t contain dyes. It’s best to use a non-dye liquid detergent with your quilt’s fabric care instructions. This will leave less residue on the fabric. Another option is to use vinegar as a fabric conditioner. This will soften the fabric and brighten its colors. If your quilt is delicate or was hand-quilted, air-drying is a good option. However, this method will take a long time and will result in a crinkly, shriveled quilt.
Using A Laundromat
The last thing you want to do is endanger the stitching of your quilt by washing it at a laundromat. Although it is convenient to bring wet patchwork to the laundromat, it will put a strain on the stitching. To avoid this situation, run the load empty before you go. One quilter had a disastrous experience when she washed her king-size quilt at a laundromat. The bleach left in the dispenser stained the backing, but the top luckily survived.
Before you start the wash, inspect your quilt. Check for loose threads and stretched seams, and if necessary, make any necessary repairs. Depending on how large your quilt is, you may want to choose between hand-washing or machine-washing it. If you choose to wash it in a machine, set the machine to a gentle cycle and use Fragrance-Free Fine Fabric Wash.
Conclusion
A quilt is an irreplaceable part of a modern bed, but it has its own share of cleaning process that takes time to process and clean. But it also makes the life of the quilt longer as it gets proper treatment.
