I dislike the crinkly look, too. I had a RJR fabric shrink when pressed. I only needed a few strips, so I didn't prewash that one. it was a strip quilted block and when that one fabric shrunk, it distorted the block. I had to replace every peach print strip - after washing it, of course.
I prewash most of what comes into the house. A few that don't seem to be offgassing are stored unwashed, but will be washed before cutting. Now I'm starting to itch thinking that I may have bugs or whatever in my totes.