Wondering how to safely wash a handmade quilt without damaging it? You’re not alone—this is one of the most common questions I get.
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Handmade quilts are meant to be used and loved, and with the right care, they can last for generations. This guide walks you through simple, safe steps to wash, dry, and care for your quilt while protecting the fabric, stitching, and overall quality. “Some quilts sell before they’re ever listed — get early access here”
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Quick Answer:
Yes, most handmade quilts can be machine washed on a gentle cycle using cold water and mild detergent. Always avoid harsh settings, and air dry or tumble dry low to protect the quilt’s structure.
How to Wash a Handmade Quilt
Yes, most handmade quilts can be safely washed in a large washing machine using COLD water and a gentle cycle. Mild detergent and low heat drying help protect the cotton fabrics and stitching. Always check the quilt for delicate fabrics before washing.
Drying Your Quilt the Right Way
- Air dry preferred
- Or tumble dry low
- Avoid high heat
Should I dry Clean My Quilt?
If you would like to read more on that>>>>>>> Can I Dry Clean My Quilt ?
Can You Wash a Quilt in a Washing Machine?
- Wash in cold water
- Use a gentle cycle with mild detergent
- Tumble dry on low heat (no dryer balls)
- Wash about once a month to refresh fabrics
- Spot clean between washes to extend life
👉 Below, you’ll find my complete guide with detailed tips for keeping handmade quilts fresh without risking wear or fading.
Color Catchers are great to put in the WASHER, if your afraid of color bleeding 🙂 Used them for years they are great!
Large Washer capacity
Use a large-capacity washer if possible, as it provides more space/ more water for the Handmade Quilt. I can wash Queen Quilt or King Quilts in my large home washer. Make sure to evenly load it into the machine as to not be too hard on your washer by throwing it out of balance. I Always choose a gentle cycle, (the less agitation) with plenty of water to prevent tugging and pulling. While Front-load washers work, they may not fill completely or with enough water, to allow as much room for the quilt to “float” in the water.
The weight of the quilt alone when wet, is a lot. For this reason alone I would never buy a Front Loading Machine. Saving water is great, but for these big items there needs to be equal if notmore water for them to wash/soak/float~ to not damage the quilt. The flopping around in a Front Loader ~ with half a tub of water isn’t as gentle as a Top Loading Machine. I also love the soak feature. Most quilts don’t really need to be agitated anyways. Not as much as they need time to soak and dissolve dirt and oils. letting a quilt soak for 1 hour really is the best way to lift dirt and oil. Then its all about the rinse.
Handmade quilts also last significantly longer than mass-produced bedding.
You can read more of my thoughts about that here: Handmade Quilts vs Store-Bought Bedding.
Detergents to use when Washing
Use mild soap for washing. I prefer liquid detergent, and I always add the soap to the water before adding the quilt into the washer. Clearly never bleach your quilt, or use a soap that has it in it. But Its not so much about the soap, its more about how you use it. Never pour soap directly onto the quilt liquid or powder. Put it in the water first. This is to avoid concentrated spots of soap thats hard to rinse out, and to protect colors from fading. Quilts are thick with 3 layers, so rinsing thoroughly is essential and why you should never put soap directly onto the quilt. . Use a double rinse cycle to ensure all soap is removed. Run an extra spin cycle to shorten drying time in the dryer. I often use a product call Color Catchers to the water. Sometimes 8 to 10 of them to ensure light colors stay light. ( pic of Color Catchers) They work great!
Water Temperature/ How Often to Wash My Quilt?
Use lukewarm to cool water for washing quilts. Avoid hot water—it doesn’t clean better and can cause shrinkage, color bleeding, or fading. Don’t worry about washing your quilt; they need to be cleaned to “reset” them. Oils from skin can attract dirt over time, making the quilt harder to clean. While quilts don’t need washing as often as sheets, but waiting too long can stretch and pull them out of shape. Regular washing helps refresh the quilt and keeps the stitching and fabrics closer to their original form. Waiting too long~ is just as hard as washing them too often. . My rule of thumb is once a month.
Should I Dry Clean My Quilt?
Short answer: No. You can read more >> Should I dry Clean My Quilt
It’s not about whether cotton can handle dry cleaning—it’s about the thread and batting.
- All cotton quilt & cotton thread? Safe, but still unnecessary.
- Poly wrapped cotton thread or polyester batting? Do not dry clean.
Even show quilts that use a layer of polyester batting should never be dry cleaned. Soap and water is the safest method for all quilts.
Understanding Quilt Thread
Many people assume all quilts are 100% cotton—and while most are, bed quilts often use threads with a little stretch.
- Poly wrapped cotton thread: Cotton on the outside, polyester inside for flexibility and durability.
- 100% cotton bobbin thread: Used on the back of most quilts.
Dry cleaning chemicals can damage polyester, reducing the life of your quilt. If you’re unsure which thread your quilt has, the safest choice is to wash it yourself with mild soap and water.
Both cotton and poly-wrapped cotton threads are great—durable and safe. Here’s a look at each type:
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✨ Quick Tips Recap
When in doubt, wash by hand or machine with mild soap and water
Medium to low heat only when drying
Extra spin cycle before drying = faster, safer drying
Check & shake the quilt periodically for even drying
Skip dry cleaning unless 100% cotton inside and out
Has My Quilt Been Washed Before Purchase?
It’s a great question—and one most people don’t think to ask.
When it comes to handmade quilts, there are a few possibilities:
- The fabric may have been pre-washed before sewing
- The finished quilt may have been washed after completion
- Or both
There’s no single “right” way—quilters have strong opinions on this, and both approaches are valid.
My approach is simple: I pre-wash everything.
Today, most fabrics are imported and treated during shipping with chemicals to prevent moisture, pests, and damage. I personally don’t love the idea of working with (or breathing in) unwashed fabric all day, so I choose to wash it first.
Interestingly, years ago quilts were often made from recycled materials—old clothing, grain sacks, and fabrics that had already been washed many times. That’s very different from modern, newly manufactured fabric.
Civil War Styled Quilt Collection
check out other patterns!
Why Pre-Washing Matters
There are two big benefits:
Color Safety
Pre-washing helps prevent color bleeding. I’ve seen darker fabrics bleed into lighter ones, and it can ruin a quilt. Washing first helps reduce that risk.
Pre-Shrinking
Fabric naturally shrinks when washed. Pre-washing minimizes that shrinkage later, so your quilt holds its size better over time.
I also wash my quilts after they’re finished.
So by the time your quilt arrives, it’s already been washed twice—yours will be the third.
At that point, most shrinkage has already happened. It’s a win-win.
Will My Handmade Quilt Shrink?
The honest answer is: yes, it can—but how much depends on the fabric and how it was made.
If a quilt is made with unwashed fabric, shrinkage is more noticeable after the first wash.
What to Expect
- Shrinkage can range anywhere from 3 to 10 inches total
- It happens in both width and length
- Quilts almost always shrink more in width than length
That last part surprises a lot of people.
Why Quilts Shrink Unevenly
Fabric has a natural “bias” (the diagonal direction of the weave), and it tends to pull more along that line when washed. That’s why quilts often lose more width than length.
It’s something I learned over time—especially after seeing how much size could change after washing.
How I Account for This
Because of this, I make my King-size quilts square to start.
After washing and natural shrinkage, they settle into the more familiar rectangular shape of a bed—without ending up too small.
And of course, using high-quality fabric makes a difference too. Better fabric = more stable results.
What if I have Pets on My Quilt? / Is it Ok To Have Your Pets on a Handmade Quilt?
Well because I love pets I would answer , how could you NOT? ha~` But my advice is keep their NAIL trimmed. They use of their nails when the jump ONTO the bed is the hardest on a quilt. Once they are up, them being on the quilt doesn’t hurt it. Jumping up on it, with rough sharp nails is bad. ( yes for cats too) They love to grab on an lift up , snagging the thread.
Pets Love Handmade Quilts!
What I would say if your debating on buying a Handmade Quilt and have dogs or cats~ or both is pick a pattern that isn’t a bunch of small pieces with zillions of seams. And tell the quilter! The quilter can do things to make it stronger, or best yet use MORE QUILTING on it. A densely quilted quilt will last twice as long as a Softer Wider spaced Quilting will. Both are good Quilting options, for different reasons ( im going to make a post on the actual Quilting soon), but if you have Pets, you want more quilting and tight stitched seams. And let the quilter know! We all know there no stopping your pets, so you have to bake it into the cake so to say. 🙂
How Often Should You Wash a Handmade Quilt?
Handmade quilts do not need frequent washing. In most homes, washing a quilt once or twice per year is enough unless it becomes visibly soiled. Gentle care helps preserve the fabric and stitching so the quilt can last for decades.
Anyhoo…. That’s my humble but experienced opinion, on How to maintain a Beautiful Handmade Quilt, and to use in real life! Taking a little extra care will ensure your quilt will be around for many years to come.
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One of my most popular custom designs is the Jelly Bean Quilt—a playful, modern pattern that can be made in a wide range of color palettes.
You can view and order your custom Jelly Bean Quilt here:
Made To Order Jelly Bean Quilt/ King or Queen
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Green Jelly Bean Quilt/ Finished Ready To Ship
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Read more about: Handmade Rainbow Quilt That Brings Color, Comfort, and Heirloom Quality
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❓ FAQ: Washing Handmade Quilts
Q: Can handmade quilts be machine washed?
Yes! I make my quilts to be fully washable. The safest method is cold water on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent. This protects the stitching and helps colors stay bright for years.
Q: How often should I wash a handmade quilt?
I recommend about once a month. Regular washing helps reset the fabric stretch and keeps the quilt fresh. In between, a quick spot clean is enough if there are only small spills or marks.
Q: What is the best way to dry a handmade quilt?
My quilts are designed for convenience—you can tumble dry on low heat. I don’t recommend dryer balls or tennis balls with patchwork, since they can create extra friction on the seams. Just keep it low and gentle, and your quilt will dry beautifully.
Q: What detergent works best for handmade quilts?
A mild, dye-free, fragrance-free detergent is always best. Harsh soaps and fabric softeners can leave residue, fade colors, or break down the fibers over time.
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