I found some old quilts at my father's home. They are hand sewn and hand quilted. I need to know how to clean them without harming them. Also found some hand sewn quilt tops with the same problem.
Thanks for your help.
Sewlady

Gotta be careful with the old ones. I use a laundry basket to hold them, and gently hand wash in the bathtub. the weight of a wet quilt being pulled out of a washing machine is enough to rip stitches out. Also, make sure you rinse until the water is clear.

If you have space, hang over two clotheslines or spread out flat over a clean sheet to dry.

there is even a special way to fold the quilt for storage. I bet if you google.

I have been told you fold the quilt inward and store it in a pillow case. No paper inbetween either.

something about never putting it in glass for the moisture will be drawn and trapped.

Lots of rules! ( used to be a teacher's daughter, so always try to follow rules.. :-) )
Great thread. keeps us all in the know on this one !
Ellen

Is there any special cleaner to use on heriloom quilts?

Some folks swear by fancy soaps. I just use Ivory Snow or Woolite. Depending on it's age, the soaps available when it was made was probably harsher than some we have now, but always better to err on the side of caution. I know some who will add vinegar to the rinse water, too - to neutralize any remaining lye from the soap and stabilize dyes.

Can you tell from the fabrics what era they date from?

They belonged to my great-grandmother so I would suppose they would be around 1900-1920.