I usually have laundering in mind while I'm making a bed quilt or a throw - I want it to stand up to use and the necessary cleaning. I use only good quality fabric and strong thread, 15-16 stitches to the inch, I'm careful about seam allowances, press seams to the side whenever possible and I quilt the heck out of them when they're done.
When a quilt is finished, I use the giant front-loaders at the laundromat for big quilts - my new "water conserving" washing machine won't even get a quilt completely wet, sometimes - even on the "Deep Water Wash" or the "Bedding" setting. 🙄
When I had a front-loader, it was big and it worked great for all but the biggest quilts - I washed them on the normal cycle with regular detergent, softener and color catchers. I dried them on the normal cycle on the dryer.
My thinking is that I want to subject the quilt to the same kind of laundering as they're likely to get in their new homes.
Antique/vintage quilts are a whole 'nother story.
Everyone is different and you'll find the system that you like best.
