Yes, I do wash when the quilt is completely finished. I soak, not agitate. Rinse, spin, lie flat until almost dry then into the dryer on low for fluffing. Sometimes I forget and let it dry completely and that's ok. I still fluff. For the quiltsforkids.org quilts I wash in warm, rinse, spin and dry in the dryer. The hospitals will do that. If it holds up at my house it will hold up there. If I make a quilt that will not be used much I use Soak, a product that requires no rinsing and dry flat or dry on low. I love that product but it's expensive.