Proper care of quilts is important. Some quilts are created as heirlooms, some just for fun. Either way, a few simple steps can lengthen the life and beauty of your creation.

Antiques: A quilt of more than 50 years old is considered an antique and should be handled with great care. This means washing in not recommended! Other tips do apply.

Airing a quilt can be done simply by laying it out on a bed, or it can be laid outside on a cotton sheet as long as it's out of direct sun.

Vacuum a quilt through a square of nylon screening, or fix a piece of pantyhose over the vacuum attachment. This picks up surface dust without damaging the fabric.

Store quilts in dark areas with good air circulation - never in damp areas. Protect quilts from rough shelves by using cloth bags (100% cotton is preferred).

Acid-free paper is useful to place between quilt layers, and also to scrunch up and place at the folds to prevent creases.

Spot cleaning (wet) can remove small stains - but be sure to test for colour-fastness first. Moisten a swab in the cleaning liquid and dab on a inconspicuous spot. If any dye comes out on the swab, forget cleaning! Quilt Wash is not recommended for this.

Laundering is best done in a front-loading machine, since they don't agitate the fabric as much. The machine must be large enough to handle the job. If you use one at the laundromat, run it through one cycle first to remove any left-over detergent or other chemicals.

Thanks to Viv Beaudoin for the article from Connecting Threads, by Debbie Beaves, from which this is abridged.  www.connectingthreads.com