I prewash all my fabric. When they have to be washed...I have a dog and 2 cats who are quilt lovers from way back, so they get washed fairly often....I take them over to my son's house since he has an extra large capacity front load machine. I use Orvus soap with everything....I get the 7.5lb. jug from the feed store which usually lasts more than a year. It only takes 1/8 cup per washer load.