How to wash a quilt
Wash a quilt only when it needs it, in cold water on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent, and dry it on low or flat. New quilts made of cotton will shrink a little, 2% to 5%, and crinkle; that is the look many quilters wash for.
By Editorial Staff
Washing
Test any strong reds, purples or darks first: wet a corner, press a white paper towel on it, and see if color comes off. If it does, wash with two or three color catcher sheets, which trap loose dye in the water.
Use a front loader, or a top loader without an agitator, on the gentle or delicate cycle with cold water. Use a small amount of a mild, dye-free detergent; skip bleach and fabric softener.
Take the quilt out as soon as the cycle ends. Wet cotton is heavy, so lift it in your arms rather than pulling it out by an edge.
Drying and storing
Tumble dry on low with a couple of clean towels, or lay it flat on sheets over a clean floor or a lawn in the shade. Don't hang a wet quilt from a line; the weight strains the seams.
Store a quilt folded in thirds in a cotton pillowcase or a breathable box, not plastic, in a cool, dark place. Every few months refold it along different lines so the folds don't become permanent creases.
Plan your next quilt in your own fabric
Quiltspiration draws any pattern in the fabric you own and works out the cut list for any size.