I always wash.....I don't want any starch, quilting marks, oils (from my hands), dirt or anything else in that fabric when I give the quilt away. You might be surprised all of the chemicals used in the manufacture/printing of fabric and batting. And while I do my best to keep the quilt clean, it will occasionally drop a corner on the floor and pick up some dust/dirt/furball. I don't want the recipient to have to wash it right away. I wash with hypo-allergenic soap, so no issues there either.