Your Amish Quilt is a work of art, and deserves gentle, loving care. Generally, today’s Quilts are made of washable fabric and batting, and these three layers are held together with stitches of quilting thread. Proper, gentle care to not place stress on these quilting threads, will allow your quilt to last for decades.
If your Quilt has strong colors in it, you may choose to spot-clean your quilt and air it occasionally. Some people have their quilts professionally dry cleaned. Quilts are washable, either by hand in a clean bath tub, or in your washer on gentle cycle. Fill the washer with cold water, and add a small amount (about half of what you would normally use) of Woolite or another gentle soap without fabric softener or additives (bleach or brighteners). Mix the soap in the water (either by agitating for a moment, or with your hand - swirling the water). Turn off the washer. Now, put your quilt in the washer, and push it down so it will get all wet. With your hands, gently bob the quilt in the water to get the water in all areas. NO agitating from the washing machine. Then let the quilt sit in the water for about 2 hours. Now set your washer to the spin cycle to get most of the water out. Refill your washer (with cold water), turn it off again and let your quilt soak again for several hours to rinse it. Spin out the extra water, and carefully lift your quilt from the washer. Please note that some strong or dark colors could bleed, so it is best to use cold water, or Professionally Dry Clean quilts with strong colors. Spread your quilt out on clean towels in a shady part of your lawn to dry, or line dry, and/or put it in the dryer on air fluff only. Do not use the heat settings on the dryer.
When not in use, store your quilt in a cloth bag or pillowcase. Never leave your quilt in a plastic bag, or store directly on a wooden shelf.
And Enjoy your Quilt! It is a hand made work of art, a hand quilted treasure that will last for years to come.