You’ve done all the hard work. Cut your fabric. Pieced it back together. Basted your quilt. Got it quilted. And bound. Then labelled! And now the big question is: how the heck do I wash a quilt?
That question stumped me too!
I had visions of my quilt unravelling in the wash and coming out a kaleidoscope of colours that bled together.
The good news is that my worst fears never materialized.
After washing quite a few quilts (several more than once), I’m happy to report that I have an easy foolproof method to wash your quilts at home.
Today, I’m sharing the exact steps I take to wash my quilts, both the first time and on subsequent washes (I slightly modify my routine after the first couple of washes), so you can have quilt-washing peace too 😊
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Top question to ask yourself before you wash a quilt
The first question to ask yourself is “Did I pre-wash my fabrics?”
Why is this important?
Well, pre-washed fabrics will behave differently in the wash than non-pre-washed fabrics. Obvious, I know, but worth mentioning as we sometimes forget the basics in our haste to get things done.
Your pre-washed fabric is less likely:
- To have the colours bleed
- To shrink
If your fabrics are going to bleed, it usually happens on the first wash. There are times when fabrics will bleed on future washes. This tends to happen with seriously saturated dyes, and most often with reds, blues and purples. Those seem to be the worst culprits for bleeding.
In the event your fabrics did release colour during the first wash, then I advise you to continue washing your fabrics with the assumption that they will bleed again. Better to be safe than sorry on this front. I share the one item I use to deal with any colours bleeding in the wash in the steps I share below.
Fabric Shrinkage
The majority of your fabric shrinkage will occur in the first wash/dry cycle. So, if you’ve prewashed your fabric, then you can expect minimal shrinkage on subsequent trips through the washer and dryer.
Just a heads up that if you’re stitching with multiple fabric substrates be aware that they tend to shrink at different rates. This can cause puckering, tearing and general unevenness in your quilt after washing.
Shown throughout this post is the Shattered Star Quilt in blues and coral (pattern available in the shop) stitched in Artisan Cottons with a Cotton and Steel backing. While it features all cottons, the Artisan Cottons have a looser weave to them.
How to wash a quilt in 10 steps
Here are the exact steps I take whenever I’m sending a quilt through the washer.
Washing a quilt
Step 1 – I wash on cold water.
Cold water will help preserve the colours of your fabric. Heat has the opposite effect and dulls your colours over time.
Step 2 – I was on a light or gentle cycle
Every machine has its specific settings and I’m working with an older top loading model. It has a light and gentle cycle on it. Most of my quilts get washed on the ‘light’ cycle. But there are times when the fabrics are more delicate, and those I’ll wash on the ‘delicate’ cycle. The point is that you don’t want intense rubbing/scrubbing. Whatever setting achieves that for you is what I’d go for.
Step 3 – I use a mild detergent (one I use regularly)
Make sure you test your detergent first. I’ve been using the same ones for years now. At the cottage, I use these laundry strips. In the city, I just finished my liquid detergent and will be switching to the laundry strips too. They work brilliantly. And they’re fantastic for not taking up too much space in your cupboard 😉
Step 4 – I pop in a colour catcher sheet
Or two if the colours are looking super iffy – I’m looking at you Red, Blue and Purple. Normally one sheet is enough, but if you’re on edge and thinking your fabrics could bleed, then there’s no harm in popping an extra sheet in the wash.
There’re a few different ones available on the market. I haven’t tried them all, but here are a few different ones I found online:
- Color Keeper Sheets
- Color and Dye Catchers
- Dylon Colour Catcher Sheets (these are the ones I use)
- Shout Color Catcher Sheets
- Xcleen Color Absorber Sheets
You might also be able to find them at your local:
- Fabric/Quilt shop
- Grocery store
- Pharmacy
- Walmart
Step 5 – I use vinegar as my ‘softener’
It’s been a long time since I switched my laundry care to environmentally friendly and non-toxic options. I was never one to use softener in my wash, but when I heard that vinegar works like a charm and keeps your machine clean at the same time I was instantly sold on the idea.
Bonus – the acetic acid in vinegar acts as a natural colour protector and helps your fabric hold on to colour (meaning, they’ll fade less quickly)!
Step 6 – Remove promptly once the wash cycle is complete.
This is super important.
Leaving your wet quilt sitting bunched in your machine can encourage those colours to bleed. So, don’t delay, promptly take your quilt out of the washer.
Step 7 – Inspect for any bleeding.
This is important to do before throwing it in the dryer. Heat will set those stains, so do a proper inspection first!
If your colour catcher sheet comes out clean, then you’re usually in the clear!
Drying a quilt
Step 8 – Tumble dry
I tumble dry on a lower setting with dryer balls, and the colour catcher sheet (the one I used in the wash), until the quilt is just dry.
The bonus about using wool dryer balls is that they help add fluff to your quilt! Plus, they speed up the drying time. Win-win in my book!
If you’re worried about popping your quilt in the dryer (which can increase the likelihood your fabrics will fade), then you can opt to air dry it. Just be mindful that you’ll need to lay it flat on towels while it dries so that you don’t distort or pull it out of shape.
Step 9 – Remove promptly
Just like you did after taking your quilt out of the washer, inspect your quilt for any bleeds or tears.
The latter is a real possibility, especially if you’ve mixed fabric substrates in your quilt or stitched with wovens. I’ve heard some horror stories of quilters stitching with wovens and having their seams pop in the wash. I was super thankful my mix of cotton and linen held up beautifully.
Step 10 – Enjoy!
Once you send your quilt through the washer and dryer for the first time, you’ll notice a lovely crinkly effect it creates.
I’ve come to love this look, but if you prefer to keep the crinkle effect to a minimum, then I encourage you to always pre-wash your fabric. The crinkly texture appears because the fabrics, thread, and batting are shrinking a little. Pre-washing will ensure your fabrics are pre-shrunk, which will limit the effect (it will still occur, just not as much).
Future Washes
After the initial washing and drying of a quilt, subsequent trips through the washer and dryer are approached with the exact same steps minus the colour catcher.
The only exception to this is if the quilt bled on previous washes. If it did, I will continue to use a colour catcher sheet until no colour transfer is visible.
Optional
To preserve your colours and make them last as vibrantly as possible, you can consider adding a product like Retayne. It’s a cationic dye-fixing agent that helps set the colours. Typically used in a pre-wash but can also be used on the first wash.
I also heard salt can help with this too. So, if you’d prefer to go the natural route, salt or vinegar are great alternatives.
For more quilting how to, check out:
I would love to know what your quilt-washing process is! Share it in the comments below so we can all learn from one another 😊
Happy quilting and safe washing!
xo
Shannon
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Hello! How much vinegar do you use in the wash cycle to prevent color bleeding?
Thank you, Chantal
Great question, Chantal! I usually fill up my softener compartment. About 1/2 cup or so.
Great post! If any bleeding is noticed after the wash, starting to work on removing them right away is key. Blue Dawn soap is usually a good choice to try to remove stains, and the key I have found is to keep the quilt wet – just do some work, rewash, and repeat until it is resolved!
Great tip, Yvonne! I’ve heard the same thing about Blue Dawn, it seems to be a miracle worker!
I wonder how often to wash quilts. I made a beautiful one for my niece and she let her dog on it and washed it often and it fell apart after a year or so. I was pretty upset. I only wash ones that are on the bed, but i still wonder how often is reasonaable…I try to only do it once or twice a year.
That’s a great question, Carrie! You’re absolutely right that sending your quilts through the washing will take a toll on your quilts. I have first hand experience with this since I wash Pips’ food placemat every week. While the piecing itself hasn’t been impacted, the binding is where the wear is seen. That and the fabrics fade like you wouldn’t believe! I share more about this in this blog post: https://shannonfraserdesigns.ca/2020/12/22/modern-improv-quilted-pet-food-placemat-perfect-last-minute-diy-holiday-gift-idea-for-your-pet/ — let me know if that helps!
Also! In terms of how often you ‘should’ wash a quilt, I think this comes back to personal preference, how often the quilts get used, how dirty the quilt actually looks, and how precious the quilt is to you. All good questions to ask yourself before you pop it in the wash!
Smart!! Do you find draping the quilt stretches it out at all? I bet it smells glorious when you bring it inside!
I have not seen any stretching. The quilts dried outside really feel fresher and cleaner than being stuffed in a dryer or, in my mind, drying horribly slow laid out on towels…All that lingering dampness just doesn’t set well with me.
I’ve heard the sun acts as a natural disinfectant/refresher. I live in the north where outdoor options are off limits a good 5-6 months of the year 😂 having different options for delicate quilts is good to know. A mesh drying bed can work too!!
Yeah, I’m in Ontario. A mesh drying bed…..will look into that. Thanks for the suggestion
When the weather is right, i hang my quilts to dry outside. I slit a pool noodle and put it on my clothes line, thenI i drape the quilt evenly over the noodle and use a couple of clothes pins on the noodle ends and line to prevent it from rolling. I use two noodles for a larger quilt
Nicely presented, Shannon! I concur, however… I have quilts made in the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s that contain pre-washed fabric that continues to bleed. Just this past week I washed our 25th anniversary quilt (made 26 years ago), and even though it’s been washed several times, red dye completely filled a Color Catcher. What’s remarkable is that all the red fabrics were pre-washed and rinsed several times in a salt water bath before even making the quilt! I’m glad times have changed and that fabric now seems more colorfast, but you can’t be too careful!
Wow, Linda, that’s really good to know about older fabrics not being as colour fast as they are today!! Thank you so much for sharing your experience 😊