definitely like everyone has said don't pre wash. Just use the color catchers. I just finished a twin with nothing but batiks for my little girl and stupid me forgot the color catchers in there but had a couple old towels. well the quilt gods were watching over me and the quilt didn't bleed one bit. YEAH!!! I usually have a small amount of discoloration on the catchers when i do use them normally. so use them use them use them!!! (I also use mainly batiks in my quilts)