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5:37 am
November 11, 2010
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Two questions really:
1) My old quilts look like they have gotten a little bit of mildew on them. What is the best way to treat this? We are in the process of packing up the house and will be gone for 8 months so I think I better do 'something' about it before we go.
2) Am planning to store them in the cedar chest while we're gone. Do you think this is best or would it be better to leave them out in the air?
Thanks.
9:48 am
February 10, 2009
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OK, well if it were me, and it's just a little bit, I'd brush as much off as I could with a brush that won't damage the fabric, firm but not stiff you know? (Placing it on the edge of a table or whatever so when you brush it out the spores don't spread across the whole rest of the quilt).
Then I'd lay it out in the sun. Not something that is normally good for a quilt, but one afternoon shouldn't fade the fabric, and to me it's more important to let the sun kill the mildew.
Then I'd wash them assuming they are washable. If they're terribly delicate, I'd just spot clean them with some mild detergent…
Then I'd lay them out in the shade to dry, but for the last bit, return to the sun for a couple hours at least.
For storage I'd wrap them in a white cotton sheet, rolling them more than folding them… not sure about the cedar chest. Probably good for keeping them safe from insect damage though I've heard of many a quilt that did well for years and years in cedar chests, but I'd definitely make sure the fabric of the quilts are not actually touching the cedar wood itself. Keep them protected by sheets or plain clean muslin etc.
That's my best advice but hopefully someone else will weigh in too, perhaps who has more experience with these things.
11:25 am
November 11, 2010
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That is GREAT advice, thanks!
12:51 pm
December 14, 2010
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Make certain that they are completely dry before you pack them.
1:03 pm
December 28, 2008
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There are a huge lot of variables in what to do – antiquity of the quilts, condition of the fabrics, type of fabrics, condition of the quilts themselves. Are they utility quilts, museum quality or something in between? Have they been washed before?
BG's advice is good. But if they are very old or delicate, even more care may be needed to preserve your quilts.
Let me also add here that one of the biggest mistakes people make when storing quilts is to put them in plastic bags. It seems like such a good idea, but quilts must breath. Simple cotton pillowcases are pretty efficient if there is no way to store them either flat or rolled.
The best way to store them is in the open air in a dark room – like on a bed. But how many of us have an extra room to deidcate just for that purpose? But stacked, laid out flat, on a guest room bed is great storage, if you can do it.
2:20 pm
November 11, 2010
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They are quilts my grandmother made, so they are old, maybe 60 years. They have been washed before, but not often. The fabric is cotton and although they are certainly not museum quality, they are heirloom quality.
2:48 pm
February 8, 2009
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You don't have to hang them in the sun…(I would never hang my quilts in the sun)
Mildew gets "killed" by air, dry air, yes by UV also, but dry is better for your quilt.
Other yes brush and wash..and store them bone dry, better like pete said on a bed..but if the humity is real high where you store them, you might be better of indeed to put them in a (ceader) chest and use some of those products to eliminate moisture and keep that around them.
Good luck…so you are going away for that long..what is going to happen with your goats and cow etc?
4:36 pm
July 18, 2011
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MAMAJOSEPH, please do not put your quilts in a cedar chest touching any of the wood, if any sap(caused by a change in temperture) from the wood gets on the quilts you will have a bigger problem. I would suggest that you wrap your quilts in acid free paper and a cotton pillow case. My mother would layer her quilts on the guest bedroom bed, sometimes she 7 or 8 on the bed. have a good trip. marjorie (goatgal)
Dance as if no one is watching!!!
4:45 pm
December 28, 2008
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Heirloom quilts are a category unto themselves because it really doesn't matter how old or what value they might have on the open market, they are extremely valuable to the family and deserve the very best care they can receive.
All my quilts are washed in Orvis. (That's a type of soap that is sold at feed stores to wash show cattle.) You can buy the same (or very similar) product in small quantities at a quilt shop and many fabric stores. It's VERY gentle.
This is a pretty good set of general instructions for washing quilts: http://cindybrick.com/-ask-cin…..your-quilt
(I am in the camp of washing quilts gently folded and squishing them very carefully in the largest bathtub you can find. And having lots of extra hands around to help lift the very wet, very heavy quilt.)
2:55 am
November 11, 2010
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Cow soap! That's funny. Wonder if they sell that here? Not that anyone shows cows, but they do love their animals! I think I am going to just spot clean/treat where needed. That seems to be the gentlest way. And we don't usually have a problem with humidity, but we had a crazy rainy month or 2; very unusual. Quilts were left out on the porch while I was away. Caretaker didn't move, bring them in, etc. Anywho! I won't put them in the cedar chest and thanks for filling me in on the problems there.
Yes, Flatlander, we are headed to the US for furlough AKA Stateside Assignment. Our friend will put our animals with his and take care of them while we're gone. We're selling the "boys" before we leave, though. And the "mean mama." They don't know it, yet. 
8:47 pm
March 22, 2010
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A couple of old-time remedies for removing mildew from fabric:
(1) Make a solution of 1/2 cup borax in a pint of water and dab it on with a sponge. Leave it for a couple of hours, and then rinse with clear water.
(2) Rinse with a solution of distilled vinegar and water.
But I wouldn't use any liquid on an heirloom quilt without testing a small area first.
6:43 am
November 11, 2010
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(very heavy sigh) I've tried everything I could, but the mildew stains are not coming out. I guess I have killed it so it won't spread, but the truth is it doesn't look nice at all. I am kicking myself for ever putting it on the porch. Thanks for all your tips. I didn't try borax, 'cause I don't have any. But I did try the vinegar and also I had some oxygen cleaner. It really can't be washed again, probably. 
Very threadbare. Sad day for the quilt. And I think I may have thrown out my Parmesan while I was sorting/packing in the kitchen so I didn't have any for my pasta salad lunch! Now I'm just griping! 
7:01 am
May 18, 2010
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BuckeyeGirl said:
OK, well if it were me, and it's just a little bit, I'd brush as much off as I could with a brush that won't damage the fabric, firm but not stiff you know? (Placing it on the edge of a table or whatever so when you brush it out the spores don't spread across the whole rest of the quilt).
Then I'd lay it out in the sun. Not something that is normally good for a quilt, but one afternoon shouldn't fade the fabric, and to me it's more important to let the sun kill the mildew.
Then I'd wash them assuming they are washable. If they're terribly delicate, I'd just spot clean them with some mild detergent…
Then I'd lay them out in the shade to dry, but for the last bit, return to the sun for a couple hours at least.
For storage I'd wrap them in a white cotton sheet, rolling them more than folding them… not sure about the cedar chest. Probably good for keeping them safe from insect damage though I've heard of many a quilt that did well for years and years in cedar chests, but I'd definitely make sure the fabric of the quilts are not actually touching the cedar wood itself. Keep them protected by sheets or plain clean muslin etc.
That's my best advice but hopefully someone else will weigh in too, perhaps who has more experience with these things.
This is all good advice don't close them up in the chest leave out to air somewhere in house. Good luck.
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