The only fabric I wash is flannel because every piece shrinks at a different rate. I have never had a quilt run, even using red. I always use a color catcher just in case and that usually comes out clean. I also give washing instructions to the recipient along with 1 more color catcher. I have a hard time getting time to quilt as it is, if I had to wash and iron all my fabric all I would have would be lots of washed and ironed fabric and no quilts !!!