I have washed very old quilts in the bathtub, using very small amount of dish soap mixed well in the water first, then carefully submerge the quilt, and just pressing with my hands to "squeeze" the water through it. It works really well. Then I use a gallon pitcher to pour fresh water over it to rinse (after draining the tub). After no more "bubbles" are coming out, I press with my hands again to get as much water out as possible, and it takes a while to do this. Then I roll the quilt up and pick up the whole thing at once. Then lay it out on plastic covered with white sheet on the floor in my extra bedroom. It takes about 3 days to dry, and I turn on the ceiling fan on high to help that process. They come out clean and fresh smelling, and much more flexible after that. I have only done cotton ones, though. I would not attempt wool or silk.