wool batting washes just fine, personally i LOVE the wool batts, and i love the loft. they wash beautifully, fluff up and make a very soft, fluffy quilt. the cotton/poly blends are ok too, but do not get loftier...they stay very thin (the low-loft one) so, if you want a flat, stiffer outcome i would choose that one, if you want fluffier/heaftier, warmer quilt go with the wool. it is really a personal choice...personally i never use low-loft poly batting (unless its for a wall hanging i want to be flat) i like lofty, lots of warmth, body...but that's just me, not everyone shares my (likes)