Basic Care Tips For Your Quilts
Almost everyone in Australia uses a quilt, especially during winter when the temperatures can plummet and the sunshine is limited. Quilts are big, comfortable, blanket-like items that form the central hub of all of your bedding, so it makes sense that you try to take care of them as best as you can. After all, they probably cost a fair bit and you will want to ensure your new quilt lasts for many years. The trouble is most people forget that, even though you don't need to be constantly washing your quilts, you do need to take some precautions to keep them hygienic.
Flip Them Over
You probably already flip your mattress over quite regularly to avoid creating bumps in it, and while the reasons behind flipping your quilts over are different, you should still practice this every couple of weeks at least. The simple fact is that the more contact with you your quilts have, the more likely it is to get dirty from falling skin particles, moisture created from heat during the night and bacteria that everyone has on their skin no matter how much they wash. Even with a linen cover over it, your quilts will still absorb a lot of this, so it is just a good, common-sense practice to flip them over on a regular basis.
Get Them Out Under The Sun
Every few months, you should take your quilt out of all of the linen it is generally hidden under and lay it out so that it is fully in the sun. The sun, particularly the UV rays that come from the sun, are great at destroying bacteria, and after a couple of months, almost all quilts will have some form of bacteria growing in them, even if it is invisible to the naked eye. Make sure to turn the quilt over at least once during this open-airing and then get it inside before dusk so that it does not get too cold.
Give Them A Yearly Wash
Once a year, you should have a deep clean of your quilts. However, some quilts can only be dry-cleaned, so make sure you check the manufacturer's instructions on how to properly clean your quilt, and if it indicates dry cleaning only, then never put it into your washing machine. Otherwise, put it on a long cycle early in the morning and then get it out and into the sunshine as quickly as you can. Try not to use a dryer unless explicitly told to by the manufacturer. Air drying is always better for large, heavy pieces of fabric.