Quilt and blanket cleaning in Tomball, TX

Why blankets and quilts need careful cleaning

Wool fibers lock together when they are agitated in warm water, which is called felting. A wool blanket can shrink, thicken and stiffen after one hot wash. Quilts are made of many pieces of cotton sewn through a layer of batting, and older fabrics may not be colorfast, so reds and blues can bleed into white areas. Hand stitching uses fine thread that weakens with age, and the weight of a wet quilt can pull those stitches loose. Old cotton batting can shift or bunch if the quilt is twisted. Fringe on blankets and throws tangles and frays in a washer.

Reading the care label

Wool blankets are often labeled dry clean or hand wash cold, lay flat to dry. Lay flat is there because a wet wool blanket stretches out of shape if hung. Many newer quilts say machine wash cold, gentle cycle. Heirloom and handmade quilts usually have no label at all, so judge them by their age, fabrics and condition, and ask before trying anything at home.

Before you bring them in

• Tell us if a quilt is old, handmade or has sentimental value.
• Point out torn patches, loose binding and areas where batting shows through.
• Mention whether any fabric in the quilt has bled color before.
• Show any moth holes in a wool blanket so they are noted before cleaning.
• Fold the quilt loosely in a clean sheet to carry it in, rather than stuffing it in a bag.

Care between cleanings

• Shake blankets outside and air them on a dry day to freshen them between cleanings.
• Store wool blankets clean, since moths go after soiled wool first.
• Refold quilts along different lines every few months so creases do not weaken the fabric.
• Keep quilts out of direct sunlight on beds and walls to slow fading.
• Store in a cotton bag or wrapped in a clean sheet, never in sealed plastic.