I wash the quilt in cold water, delicate cycle and Orvus Paste. I give giftees washing instructions and recommended detergents. I'm less worried about seams or fabric bleeds than allergies since I have cats. I don't use the color catchers. The only fabric bleeds I ever had continued to bleed for four or five washes and certainly have overwhelmed little sheets. Also I don't use fabric softener or sheets normally since most if my clothes don't cling after drying and I hate the cloying odor.