My mother had these on all her quilts and her blankets but not her bedspreads. They were washed, starched, ironed and put back on as soon as they became dirty, but the quilt or blanket stayed clean. She bought the material for the protector to match either the quilt or the decoration in the room because back then all the sheets were white and were ironed every time they were washed. Washed on Monday, Ironed on Tuesday. Starched on Tuesday, ironed on Wednesday. Cleaned house on Thursday. In between times she made everyone's clothes, did most of the yard work, went to church everytime they opened the doors. And had a very active social life. No clothes dryer, no dishwasher, no microwave, no TV - but you really got the news off of the party line telephone!