I washed and dried the batting. I didn't even use a pillowcase. I put it on the handwash cycle using hot water and bleach (!!!) and then in the dryer for a loooong time because it kept rolling up. I was washing 2 pieces about 58 by the width of the batting (90 I think). It came out just fine. I still put the smooth side up for the lighter colored quilt but will do it smooth side down for the other quilt I made, which isn't so light colored.