How to freshen up a quilt without washing?

Author: Elias Wuckert MD  |  Last update: Sunday, October 5, 2025

A musty smell often can be diminished by airing quilts in a shaded area outdoors or in a well-ventilated area indoors. Place a large plastic sheet on the ground or floor, cover it with a clean white sheet, and then lay the quilt on top of the sheet for airing.

How do you freshen a quilt without washing it?

Baking Soda: Sprinkle baking soda over the quilt and let it sit for a few hours (or overnight) to absorb odors. Then, vacuum it off. Steam: Use a handheld steamer to lightly steam the quilt. The steam can help eliminate odors while also relaxing the fabric.

How to remove odor from quilt without washing?

How can you get rid of that musty smell in old clothing and blankets without washing them first? Hang them outside in the sun and brisk breeze (hopefully not too strong). They will refresh naturally. If 1 day isn't sufficient, go for more - or toss in a cool dryer with a dryer sheet or two for a bit.

How do you deodorize a quilt?

Spray bottle, some white vinegar mixed with water, makes a great deodorizer. Spray it like you would spray febreeze. Lee it dry and replace the covers. Add a 1/4 cup to your laundry to freshen, and remove dryer sheet buildup.

How to refresh a quilt?

5 Quick Tips to Refresh Your Quilt
  1. Air It Out Regularly. Airing out your quilt is one of the simplest ways to refresh it without washing. ...
  2. Spot Clean for Small Stains. ...
  3. Wash Sparingly. ...
  4. Use Baking Soda to Deodorise. ...
  5. Store Your Quilt Properly.

Antique Quilt Clean

How to sanitize bedding without washing?

How to Keep Your Sheets Fresh Without Putting Them in the Wash
  1. Pull your duvet and top sheet back. ...
  2. Hang them out. ...
  3. Tumble dry + dryer sheet. ...
  4. Spray with linen spray. ...
  5. Sprinkle with baking soda. ...
  6. Shower at night.

How to wash an old quilt without washing it?

Turn the quilt halfway through the day so both sides get some good sun. The last option is hard to believe but — vinegar. Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and give the whole quilt a good spritz. Allow it to dry in the sun, turn the quilt over and repeat.

How do you freshen musty fabric?

Whether it is borax or white vinegar, add it to the clothes in the washing machine, add some water and then run a wash cycle. These products will kill any remaining mold that was not eliminated in the first wash. If the clothes are too musty, then you can combine two detergents in one wash to guarantee some freshness.

How do you clean a dingy quilt?

As others have said, wash it in a bathtub and use a gentle detergent (there are detergents made specifically for vintage quilts out there). Hang it like over your shower rod to dry after you've pressed out the excess water. Try not to wash it very often. Keep it out of sunlight.

How to get a bad smell out of a blanket?

White Vinegar Soak: Soak the blanket in a mixture of one cup of white vinegar and cold water for 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Lemon Juice: Add a cup of lemon juice to the final rinse water for a fresh, citrus scent. Storage: Store the blanket with cedar chips or lavender sachets to prevent future mothball odors.

How do you get the smell out of non washable fabric?

For at-home odor removal from non-washable fabrics, hang them outside on a breezy day. Or just sprinkle some baking soda all over the garment, let it sit in the tub overnight, then shake it out the next day.

How do you deep clean a quilt?

Hand Washing Quilt Instructions:
  1. Test for colorfastness. ...
  2. Ensure your tub or sink is clean.
  3. Soak quilt in room temperature water. ...
  4. Use a mild liquid detergent formulated for dishwashing. ...
  5. Complete a series of 5-7 clean water rinses. ...
  6. Once clean, it's time to dry (See Step #5, Air Drying Quilt Instructions).

Why does my quilt smell?

Storing blankets or bedding in damp or poorly ventilated areas, like closets or storage bags, can trap moisture. Over time, this can lead to mildew and the telltale smell of mustiness.

How to make bedding smell fresh without washing?

How to refresh bedding without washing - 6 ways to keep your sheets fresh without the washing machine
  1. How to refresh bedding without washing.
  2. What you'll need.
  3. Un-make your bed.
  4. Flip and turn your bedding.
  5. Pop it outside.
  6. Sprinkle on some baking soda.
  7. Use pillow and room sprays.
  8. Make use of dryer sheets.

How to wash a quilt at home without a washing machine?

If you opt for hand washing your bedding, follow our guide for the best results.
  1. Check label. Just like when you're washing with your machine, you need to check your garment's fabric care label to see the maximum temperature your item can tolerate when washing.
  2. Fill up a tub. ...
  3. Add detergent. ...
  4. Wash. ...
  5. Rinse. ...
  6. Dry.

How do you freshen fabric without washing it?

If you want to save water and money, here are some alternatives to using your washing machine to keep your clothes smelling fresh.
  1. Let the Air and Sun Do All the Work. ...
  2. Alcohol and Water. ...
  3. Freeze the Offensive Clothes. ...
  4. Use Baking Soda. ...
  5. Use Lemon Juice. ...
  6. Make Use of Your Coffee Grounds. ...
  7. Essential Oils Are Your Friends.

How to freshen a quilt without washing it?

Airing. A musty smell often can be diminished by airing quilts in a shaded area outdoors or in a well-ventilated area indoors. Place a large plastic sheet on the ground or floor, cover it with a clean white sheet, and then lay the quilt on top of the sheet for airing.

How do you brighten an old quilt?

Use a mild liquid detergent free of dyes and perfumes. Liquid detergent disperses in the water, leaving less residue on the fabric than powdered detergent. Add 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar to the water to both brighten colors and soften the quilt.

How to get dingy comforter white again?

Put soap and your comforter in a washer. Run a warm-water and delicate cycle and an additional rinse to remove soap residue later. After the cycle, place the comforter in the large dryer; put tennis balls in two white socks and throw them into the machine to avoid clump. Set your dryer to low heat.

How do you get the musty smell out of old linens?

If the linens have a powerful odor, you can presoak them in water and baking soda. Presoak the linens in cold water and add about half a cup of baking soda per gallon of water. Soak the linens for an hour or two before washing them, as usual, in the washer for a regular cycle.

How do you make fabric smell new?

How to make clothes smell good
  1. Step 1 - Choosing the right laundry detergent. ...
  2. Step 2 - Adding fabric softener. ...
  3. Step 3 - Utilising scent boosters. ...
  4. Step 4 - Drying clothes outdoors. ...
  5. Step 5 - Storing clothes with fragrance. ...
  6. Step 6 - Regular washing machine maintenance.

What neutralizes musty odor?

Put bowls of baking soda or activated charcoal in the afflicted area because these materials are known to absorb and neutralize scents over time. Leave them in place for several days or weeks, replacing them as needed.

How to remove mildew from old quilts?

AMMONIA, is the secret to removing mold and mildew. I soak 1 part ammonia to 7 parts water in the bathtub, overnight. Every now and then I go in and give it a good stir and a squish. The next day I gently squeeze out water, rinse, repeat, at least 3 or 4 times.

How to freshen up a duvet without washing?

If you want to kill germs but not wash it, put the dryer on high heat and keep an eye on it, rotating every 5-10 minutes and dry for 30 minutes."

How do you clean a dirty quilt?

How to Spot Clean a Quilt
  1. Dilute white vinegar or gentle quilt soap with distilled water.
  2. Put a cloth below the quilt.
  3. Soak another cloth with the soap mixture and then dab it gently onto the quilt stain. Don't rub it!
  4. Rinse the area or blot it with cold water until all traces of soap are gone.

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