batiks and other (hand-dyes) should always be pre-washed and color tested. the deep colors tend to run the most-especially reds. you can use a soft white cloth (like a scrap of muslin) or a paper towel-- wet it and rub on the batik- if color comes off onto the towel/cloth the fabric needs to be pre-washed- toss in a couple color catchers- wash until the color no longer bleeds. some take longer than others- i made my mom a quilt a few years ago with purple batik squares with white squares- that purple has bled every time it's been washed for years- the whole quilt is a lovely shade of lavender (which she loves-and has forgotten it started out white!) i did not test-after pre-washing---if i had i never would have used that purple- but it worked out because she loves it just the way it is.
