Originally Posted by
AZ Jane
If I am gifting a quilt that will be used, I wash and dry it exactly as I would any other bedding. I cannot expect the recipient to follow special instructions every time, I can assume they will throw it in the washer and throw it in the dryer with their regular detergent. IF there is any special concerns (one red & white quilt given to an adult) I include a box of Color Catchers, but I do not expect this will be washed as often as a child's.
I agree with this. Fortunately, I only make baby quilts & find most young parents wash everything on cold (except cloth diapers) with Tide ColdWater or a similar detergent formulated for washing in cold water. It's too much work to be sorting all the clothes when you have a little one vying for your attention every minute of the day!
Those of us born in the 70's or earlier are used to sorting out clothes & were taught that clothes get cleaner with warm/hot water. I admit even I struggle to remember that I can now wash in cold if I buy the right detergent. The only struggle I have is low vs. medium heat in the dryer because I know people prefer to dry clothes faster than what's actually good for quilter's cotton, but I've seen what mid-high heat does to quilts & just can't bring myself to do that if there's any hope of winning someone over. Usually you can't fit much else in with quilts anyways so I try to explain why Low heat is ideal & hope for the best.