My family has always used flannel for the backings. That is how my great grandma taught us to make quilts. They have always been fine. Of course, we have all tried other fabrics, and basically we use what we can afford. The quilt my great grandma made for my wedding gift in 1976 was on my bed everyday for nearly 25 years. I washed in many many times. It started to show a little too much wear, so I stopped using it, I just take it out and look at it now. I am going to try using sheets since so many of you made that suggestion.
Linda