Yes, do wash fabric especially that gotten from a garage or thrift sale. I brought some home a couple of weeks ago and put it down in my sewing room. The next day there were little red sugar ants in my carpet and most were near the fabric so there must of been a nest in one of the folded fabrics. I ended up washing every piece and putting out Terro ant killing traps. Thankfully they all disappeared within 3 days.