Technique: Eva’s way to launder quilts

Scarlett Burroughs "Mamaw's quilt"

Anyone who owns a quilt will at some point wonder “How do I clean this thing”? Advice runs the gamut, from “only wash a quilt in a bathtub” to “throw ’em in the washing machine” to “only trust a dry cleaner who specializes in delicate fabrics”.

The method you use to wash a quilt will depend on the age and condition of the quilt, but disregarding this piece of the equation, there are some absolutes that are inarguable. Always use a gentle soap, such as Orvus Quilt Soap which is designed for use on silks, cottons, vintage linens and the like. It’s expensive around $9 USD for an 8 oz bottle, but a little goes a long way.

Personally, I wash all my quilts including the one shown here in Johnson’s baby shampoo (do not buy off brand). My Mamaw (grandmother) made the quilt shown. It’s about 50 years old. It’s held up fine through many washings (delicate cycle) and every day use. If you opt to use a washing machine like me, you must read Eva Colgate’s technique. Eva shared this information during an interview by Jean Rusk of The Alliance for American Quilts’ S.O.S. project. Here are the first few sentences of her answer to the question from Jean, “What about laundering them?”

 I wash mine all the time, but they say you should do it in a bathtub. But you can’t get water out of them if you do them in a bathtub, so I have a very large wonderful washing machine. I fill it up with cold water. I put my…go here to read the rest. 

There are other options besides Orville Quilt Soap and baby shampoo for washing your quilts. Red Pepper Quilts mentioned a product called Soak. Check out SOAK here. What do you use?

[tags]quilting, laundering quilts, technique, Orville Quilt Soap, Soak, baby shampoo, bathtubs[/tags]