Whether your quilt is a family heirloom, your first sewing project or even if you bought it at Target, it needs special care. A quilt is multi-layered. It consists of 3 layers for that extra warmth and durability. However, due to the nature of the way quilts are constructed, there are certain precautions if you want to know how to store quilts long term. In this article, we’ll give you our best advice on how to keep that baby blanket intact.
Store Quilts on a Curtain Rod or Wall
Quilts are made to be seen. They’re colorful, bright and bring a dash of color to your bedroom or living room. That being said, why not leave them out if you’re not using them? No room, you say? Well then, hang them on the wall! You can use a curtain rod hung on a wall instead of in front of a window. A clothes drying rack works great too, or you can hand a wire and clip them to it with clothespins. Your walls will look much brighter, and you’ll get to enjoy your quilts more. This is a great way to store quilts long-term.
One caveat is not to hang your quilts where the sun can shine directly on them. Over time, the sun can be extremely damaging to the fabric and ruin your quilt. (That would be a crying shame for all involved.)
Protect Quilts with a Pillow Case
Let’s say you have a cedar chest where you want to store your quilts long-term. The good news is cedar will protect quilts from various insects and bugs that can damage them. The bad news is that the acid from cedar wood can damage your quilt almost as badly. Protecting them is easy, though, if you put your quilts into a pillowcase first. We suggest using an older but thicker pillowcase to get the best protection.
The same can be said if you need to store your quilt’s long-term in a plastic bin. Plastic is great for short-term storage but not long-term. If it’s your only choice, though, a pillowcase will again protect your precious quilts.
Don’t Store Quilts in Cardboard or With Newspaper
While it may be easy, storing quilts in cardboard or with newspapers is a bad idea. The cardboard will soak up any moisture in your quilt and dry out the fabric. The ink from newspapers can transfer onto your quilt fabric, ruining it completely. Also, cardboard and newspaper are a magnet for insects which are the last things you want around your quilts.
How to Store Quilts Long Term? Use Climate-Controlled Storage
If you will be storing your quilt for any period longer than a few months, consider renting a climate-controlled unit. These special units are available at most iStorage facilities and offer added protection from the elements by maintaining an indoor temperature between 55-85°F year-round. Protecting your precious quilts from extreme swings in temperature, moisture and mildew.
To learn more about the best mattress storage option for you, speak with the storage professionals at iStorage. We’ll be happy to help you select the best unit and size to meet your needs.
This post was originally published 06/19/2018
It was updated 12/11/2020