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" Show your quilt some TLC and, with luck, you can pass it down to your grandkids and their grandkids.   1. Keep it in the dark. You don&amp;#039;t have to sequester your quilt in the basement, but you should keep it out of direct sunlight and intense artificial lighting to prevent fading.   2. Don&amp;#039;t cross-contaminate.Antique finds can be infested with bugs and mold. To protect a collection, quarantine a new quilt in an airtight bag for 6 months before checking it for insect droppings or holes. Another option: Put it in an airtight bag and freeze for a week.   3. Clean carefully.To preserve a delicate design, it&amp;#039;s best to vacuum it. But before you do, inspect the fabric\u2014if it shows signs of seam breakage, brittleness or browning, send it to a professional. If it seems sturdy enough, try this gentle method from Esther M\u00E9th\u00E9, chief conservator at the Textile Museum in Washington, DC: Place a fiberglass screen (like that used in windows) over the quilt and run the vacuum&amp;#039;s dusting attachment carefully over the screen. Newer pieces can be cared for simply by following the instructions on the tag.   4. Store it properly. Fold the quilt, packing tissue paper at the creases to prevent wrinkling, then cover in a cotton sheet. Store in an acid-free box or polypropylene bin (from a home store) in a cool, lowhumidity area, like a ground-level closet, says Patsy Orlofsky, director of the Textile Conservation Workshop in South Salem, New York.   5. Consult a pro before restoring.Don&amp;#039;t take a chance trying to fix a valuable quilt yourself. Find a licensed conservator at Conservation-US.org; she&amp;#039;ll need to know the size, approximate age and intended use of your damaged piece to give you a price estimate.   6. Replace damaged fabric.If your quilt has more sentimental than monetary value, patch it with a similar piece (check your fabric store for scraps or eBay for vintage remnants). To preserve the existing fabric, try sewing a piece of bridal veil netting (at fabric stores) over the top of it to prevent further fraying. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.womansday.com/home/organizing-cleaning/tips/a5251/6-quilt-care-tips-111186/>