I just heard a lecture by a quilt historian. This is how she said you should wash a quilt. Line the bottom of your bathtub with a towel or two. Lay the quilt on top of it and put some water into the tub with a very mild soap or quilt washing product ( you can find products made for washing quilts on-line and in quilt shops ). Gently fold the quilt over and over making the water go through it. then drain and rinse. Use dry towels to absorb as much of the water as you can and lay the quilt flat to finish drying. Hope this will help you.