I always use a color catcher like everybody else does.. those things are magic. I'm making a baby quilt right now...I always wash my quilts in hot water and dry them on high heat. I figure that gets them ready for the "real world" and if there are any issues they are gonna show up while I can still fix them. I'm going to wash this one I'm working on and then send instructions for it to be washed again in gentle baby soap before use. =) Its for a little bitty tiny 3# baby girl named Finley Claire. Isn't that the cutest name for such a tiny girl?