I DON'T THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO WASH BEFORE BINDING, YOU'RE JUST GOING TO END UP WITH A LOT OF BATTING FLUFF ALL OVER YOUR QUILT. BIND IT FIRST, THEN TRY AND BRUSH OR VACUUM THE HAIR OF, WASH IT AND BRUSH AGAIN. THAT'S ALWAYS WORKED FOR ME, BUT OTHERS MIGHT HAVE DIFFERENT IDEAS ABOUT THIS, SO DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT.