A good cotton quilt is designed to be used, not kept pristine on a shelf. The key to keeping it looking its best is knowing how to wash it without damaging the fabric, print or filling.
Agasti's cotton quilts are best washed by hand, though a gentle machine cycle works too if that's easier. Use cold water and a mild detergent, air dry preferably out of harsh direct sunlight, and skip the dryer.
- Wash: By hand (recommended), or machine on a gentle, cold cycle
- Detergent: A mild, gentle detergent
- Dry: Air dry, preferably out of harsh direct sunlight
- Avoid: Tumble dryers, bleach, dry cleaning and ironing
Can You Machine Wash a Quilt?
Yes, if that's more convenient — though we recommend washing by hand as the primary method for a handcrafted quilt. If you do use the machine, set it to a gentle cycle with cold water, ideally 30°C or below, and a gentle detergent.
Some handmade quilts can bleed colour in the wash. Agasti's quilts are washed and tested before they leave us, so you can wash with confidence that the colour will hold.
It's also worth giving the quilt a quick once-over before washing — check for any loose threads or stretched seams and fix them while it's dry, which is far easier than repairing a wet quilt.
How to Wash a Cotton Quilt
We recommend washing a handcrafted cotton quilt by hand where possible, using cold water and a gentle detergent.
If you'd rather use the washing machine, these are the settings to use:
- Set the machine to a gentle cycle.
- Use cold water — 30°C or below.
- Add a gentle detergent that won't harm the fabric.
Either way, avoid bleach and skip the dryer — more on drying below.
How Much Detergent Should You Use?
A mild, gentle detergent is best — regular laundry detergent, or anything with bleach or optical brighteners, can be too harsh for hand-printed cotton. Whether you're washing by hand or by machine, a gentle formula and a light hand is all a quilt needs.
How to Dry a Quilt
Air dry the quilt rather than using a dryer — heat from a tumble dryer can damage the fabric and cause the quilt to crumple and crinkle. Choose a spot that's airy but out of harsh, direct sunlight for extended periods, which helps keep the printed colours from fading over time.
Because a wet quilt gets heavy, support its weight while it dries rather than hanging it from a single point. A flat drying rack or quilt drying rack works well, so the fabric and filling aren't pulled out of shape.
How Often Should You Wash a Quilt?
A cotton quilt doesn't need washing after every use. As a general guide, twice a year is enough for a quilt in regular use. Between washes, airing it out for a few hours helps remove moisture, freshens the fabric and keeps it hygienic.
If you switch to a lighter summer quilt for the warmer months, it may need an extra wash across the season compared with a quilt that's only out for winter.
Can You Spot Clean a Quilt?
For small marks between full washes, spot cleaning gently is often enough — dab the area with a damp cloth and a little mild detergent, then let it air dry, out of harsh direct sunlight, before using or storing the quilt again.
Storing a Quilt Between Washes
The best place to store a quilt you're using regularly is simply on the bed — it's flat, dry, and doesn't need any extra care. If you're packing it away between seasons, a breathable cotton bag is the next best option; a plastic bag can trap moisture and lead to mould. Take the quilt out every few months and refold it slightly differently to avoid permanent creases in the filling.
What to Avoid When Washing a Quilt
- Tumble dryers — heat can damage the fabric and cause crumpling
- Bleach
- Dry cleaning
- Ironing
Caring for Hand Block-Printed Quilts
Agasti's quilts are hand block-printed and hand quilted, one impression and one stitch at a time. Washing by hand and air drying out of harsh direct sunlight, rather than using a machine dryer, helps the fabric, filling and stitching stay in shape for longer.
Once it's clean and dry, see our guide on styling a hand block-printed quilt for ideas on where it looks best around your home.
Looking to add to your collection? Browse Agasti's hand block-printed quilts, made from natural cotton and designed to be washed, used and loved for years.
