So far I've had a great time loooking around the site. It's still confusing. but I'm getting there. This is all new to an old dog! Been quilting 12 years, on line twelve minutes!
You are all inspiring. I love all the great quilts and families.
I've been gifted with many good ideas and solutions in the short time connected. I do have a problem for discussion. I need help getting rid of musty odor in some quilts that I'd rather not wash but if it's the only way i'll have to?

Welcome from North Carolina! Have you tried Febreeze or Glade for fabrics to get rid of the musty smell?

Hi and welcome from the sunny state of Florida!!

If you end up having to wash them some Lysol would help a lot. But you do have to double rinse them to be sure to get the Lysol out!

If you wash them, add vinegar for a rinse. It gets rid of odors, and washes away, leaving them smelling nice. That's my experience. Plus the vinegar I use for fabric softener too.

Welcome to the board. You'll have fun here.
Try "airing" your quilts outdoors on a windy day. If no clothesline, lay them on a white sheet in a shaded patch of grass. (Watch out for the birdies).
As for washing them..I have several antique quilts including one made by slaves. I've successfully washed all of them at one time or other. Rely on a good soap like Orvis, cool water and fresh air. I wash mine in a bathtub if they are delicate, gently squeezing the water through them. Let the water drain, refill with clean water and repeat until all the soap is gone. Let the quilt remain in the tub to "drain". Move it about often to get more water out. Only when most of the water is mostly gone should you pick it up. This prevents the weight of the water from pulling/breaking the stitches or threads of the fabric. Older quilts were usually smaller and are many times thinner, so the water will drain rather quickly. If it's a large quilt (more modern) it may have to sit overnight in the tub. If there are rips and you don't want to repair them, baste a patch over the rip for the wash process and them remove it when you're finished. The patch will keep everything in place.
Good luck!
Karen

Hello & welcome! Glad you are here!

Welcome from Missouri, I agree with all the above.

Hello and Welcome !

What about Febreeze ?

Welcome to the board from Southern California!!!

When you use this method to wash quilts, put the quilt on a sheet larger than the quilt. It can be heavy, and get someone to help you. It's a 2 person job. The weight of the wet quilt will pop stitches, and rip fragile fabric. The sheet takes the weight and makes it easier to move the quilt around. When you are ready to move the wet quilt out side to dry, you can gently roll it up to move.

Welcome!

If you do wash them get some Borax its what our moms used and it really takes out smells and also brightens its gentle.

Hello and welcome from Alabama :-D :-D :-D

Hello and welcome.

I am a fan of washing...but if you can't for whatever reason and airing isn't possible, you could spread the quilt out, sprinkle liberally with baking soda roll up and leave for several hours or overnight. Unroll and shake. Baking soda is very safe and also is a proven "sucker up" of odours.

Welcome from Ireland

Hello and Welcome to the board :D:D:D
So happy that you joined us!

You can lay them outdoors on a sheet, cover with another sheet and let them air out for a while :D:D:D

Hi and welcome from Alaska!

Welcome, waving from Indiana, USA

Hello and welcome from Ontario.

Thank you to everyone for the tips you sent my way. I will start with the simplest and work my way up to washing it if nothing else works. Thanks again!