I always wash the quilt and I tell the new owner it has already been washed once. If I don’t, the owner is likely to never wash it in fear that they’re not supposed to wash it! I wash it just like the new owner will, in warm water with detergent and fabric softener. It also ensures that the colors don’t bleed and the stitching holds up. I was surprised at how many people were scared to wash their new quilts!