I read this once on a quilt guild newsletter. It was posted by a woman who had just made some quilts as gifts for recent high school grads heading off to college. She actually said she put the following instructions in with the gifted guilt. I thought it was unbelievable she'd expect anyone to do all this, let alone a college student! My quilts are all easy machine wash.
Quilt Care
CLEAN:
--Fill top-loading washer with low-chlorine, 80-degree F (27 degree C) water. Add plain sodium lauryl sulfate-based soap.
--Shut off washer. Add quilt. Gently agitate by hand. Soak 5 - 10 minutes.
--Drain. Refill with 80-degree water. Agitate by hand. Repeat this step until soap is removed.
--Let spin cycle remove excess water.
--Lay quilt flat on white sheet on carpet or other surface. Block quilt.
--Fluff on dryer air cycle when nearly dry.
STORE:
--Flat, rolled, or folded in thirds.
--In pillowcase or washed, plain muslin.
--In dark place with people-comfortable temperature and humidity.
--with biennual airings.
DISPLAY:
--in low light. Frequently rearrange for even light exposure.
--in clean environment to avoid extra washing.