There are a lot of ways that you can safely store your quilts for other generations and in between use, though the option you should use will depend on how many quilts you’re storing and how much space you have for storing them. Below we have listed some of the most popular storage solutions that you can use and you can decide which of them is going to work best for you.

Use Unused Beds

You can easily store multiple quilts on a bed that you aren’t using, and this method gives you a solution that will prevent permanent creases from forming. Below are some of the things to remember when you’re using this storage method.

• Separate your quilts using unbleached pre-washed muslin or white sheets made of cotton. This is going to prevent the quilts from rubbing together, which can create marks from something known as crocking and can also create wear. Crocking means when dye rubs off on another.
• Crocking and fabric bleeding aren’t the same thing. Fabric bleeding happens when the fabric is damp.
• Pre-washing your fabrics will sometimes stop crocking from happening. However, it’s best not to take a chance and still place buffers in between the quilts.
• Cover your top quilt with a final white sheet. The put another sheet of any other color. This will help your top quilt from becoming faded.

You can often purchase flat white sheets made of cotton from businesses who sell to spas or hotels. You can also get unbleached muslin for reasonable prices in fabric stores.

Roll Your Quilts to Store Them Safely

If there’s someplace safe that you can store long tubes, you can roll up your quilts to store them. This also will eliminate folds. Place your white sheet on the top of you quilt, then roll towards your sheet layer. You will still see the backing of the quilt. Finish it off by rolling this roll in another sheet and store it flat in a dry, clean location. Occasionally turn the roll so that you prevent an area that’s flat. This may not be an issue, but there’s no reason to take a chance.

You can also purchase tubes that are acid free. The quilt gets wrapped around your tube. You can also use dowels for rolling and storing quilts – if you have a lot of closet space this is also a possibility.

Fold Your Quilt to Store It

If you are going to fold up your quilt, use the least amount of folds as is possible. You should put a white flat sheet against the quilt’s front and the backing of the quilt. Store the quilt in an area that’s cool and dry.

• If you leave your quilt folded for a long, permanent lines may develop. So it’s a good idea to occasionally change your folds if it’s going to be stored for a while.
• If possible, don’t fold your quilt along its seam lines, since they often become flat. If it’s not possible to avoid doing this, make sure you’re refolding it more often.
• Make sure you’re not stacking a lot of quilts on one another, because the top quilts’ weight can flatten your bottom quilts.
• Keep your folds not as flat by inserting acid-free tissue logs in the areas. There are also boxes that are acid-free.

Store Your Quilts in Place That’s Dark

Interior lighting and sunlight are going to fade the colors of the fabric as time goes by, so make sure you’re storing the quilts in an area that’s dark if you can.

Don’t Store Your Quilts Inside Plastic

If possible, don’t store any quilts in plastic. If this is unavoidable, don’t do it for long periods. Plastic will release vapor that can lead to the deterioration of fabric.

If you’re in an area that’s flood prone, if you are moving or if it’s going to be a temporary storage solution, a plastic bin will make a good solution, since they will keep out dust and water. You just shouldn’t depend on a plastic bin for storage for the long term. If you are going to use a plastic bin, ensure that the quilt is completely dry before placing them in the bin.

A Few Final Cautions When Storing Quilts

• Do not store unwrapped quilts in any type of wooden box that isn’t sealed since its wood can lead to stains on your quilt.
• Don’t store your quilt in areas that could have mice in them, since they love to burrow in the quilts. This also goes for insects.
• Quilts shouldn’t be stored in your attic or garage. There’s an overabundance of moisture in these areas and they’re a lot more vermin prone.

If you take care of your quilt and store it the right way, you can use it for many years and pass it on to generations to come. Just make sure that you are taking care of it and storing it properly.