I am a pre washer. Think about the largest item you usually wash in your washer. That probably would be a sheet, so you can cut it into 2 or 3 yard chunks and launder. If I buy a piece 3 yards or less, I wash it right away. If I get a piece 4 yards or more, however, I just fold it as is (I try and get a board from the shop) and as I need a piece for a project I just cut and wash it then.