Many times I don't wash them! OOPS, I guess. When I wash smaller pieces of unknown origin, I do as others have said and put them in the sink with warm to almost hot water and let them soak for a little while, I wring and press dry. I am more concerned with bleeding than shrinkage. The thought of washing all of those FQ's is....daunting. But perhaps I should start on the task just to be sure.