I just pre-washed W&N for a more modern type quilt, that I didn't want to be crinkly. I have a top load machine so I did it the way the package instructed, except I did spin it and it was fine. Since you have a front load machine, I would just do a short cycle on gentle and it should be fine, front load machines are gentler even on the regular cycle. I dried mine on low heat and put a clean dry towel in with it, it came out great.