Please don't wash them. They might fall apart. Contact your nearest museum and talk to the textile department, or go to quiltstudy.org. This is the new quilt museum in Nebraska, and they are there to study old quilts and preserve them. Good luck! What a treasure.
I have quilts that old and have washed them and will continue to wash them. There's no need to wash a quilt every month or once a year or at times not even once in five years. I do have one that is not in very good shape that will probably not be washed as it has been stored properly and aired on occasion. My quilts have all come from family members who have lovingly used and not abused the quilts. However, if a quilt is absolutely dirty and I'm going to keep it - it will be washed in the best manner for its condition.
My DM taught us to fold the top of the sheet down over the top edge of the quilt to keep our skin from touching the quilt. DHs DM was not that diligent with her children. DH had two quilts he'd purchased from a "little old lady" years ago. The top edges have yellowish spots from body oils rubbed off on the quilt from having the quilt tucked under his/children's necks. The staining goes into the fabric (these are made with poly/cotton blends) and does not come out when washed. Early in our marriage (1997), DH would pull the cover up and I would reach over and fold the top edge of the sheet down over the blanket. He's 17 years older than me...not a child...and he would quickly undo what I'd just done. Since you truly can't "teach an old dog new tricks," I had no qualms about nicely asking DH not to tuck quilts I've made and have on our bed under his bare neck.
Do not allow anyone with dirty clothes or shoes on to crawl up on the bed. Fluffing a quilt in the dryer helps to remove dust.
Welcome RedJean! We'd love to see your quilts. You've already received some good answers to your post. Here's some more resources: I signed up to an email "quilt care" lesson offered by Nancy Kirk, a quilt historian from Nebraska. http://www.kirkcollection.com/ She was a guest on Simply Quilts a couple of times and she has a book out called "Taking Care of Grandma's Quilts". Here's the link to the HGTV page covering a "quilt care" appearance on Simply Quilts. http://www.hgtv.com/cr-quilting-care/heirloom-quilt-care/index.html She mentions making a "clone" of precious quilts you really want to use. Seems to be a good way to really appreciate those quilts and gives an insite to the quilt creator. ~karen
