I always take mine to the laundromat to wash and dry the first time, because their machines are said to have bigger lint traps, and I have never had an attendant to say I could not wash them there. I always take paper towels and wet them, then clean out the washer to remove any lint/threads left behind. I wouldn't want anybody to get that lint in their wash. I wash and dry the second time at home, and clean the washer afterward, and empty the lint trap on the dryer a few times as the quilt dries. I know someone who always washes her rag quilts at home, and does not have a problem. Not sure why your washer plugged up, but I think I read several posts of something like that happening a few years back, when they washed their rag quilt at home.