Butterfli...I do not prewash!! I know I should duck for if my mother could hear me I'd surely be ducking from what she's tossing at me!LOL I love the crisp feel of the new...I love the old quilts,etc. Now, if it is a 'red'...I will prewash or if I inherit something from another place...I will. That is it. I don't care of the fear of chemicals for my house is surely loaded as it is. I have washed quilts after and they come out great. So, here's the hoopla....it is by choice. No right or wrong...just preference. I've never had any shrink later in the wash with me crying over it at the end of the story:)Skeat