I don't pre-wash any of my fabrics but I do starch them in a dishpan and allow them to dry naturally. If they're going to bleed, they will bleed in my starch mixture and then I can take care of the problem most times. I'm usually starching up to 5-7 yards at a time so I wring out the starch using an old time top section of an old wringer washer. Couldn't find one of those towel wringers you see at auto shops and they're darn right expensive to buy new. I also give a couple color catcher sheets with instructions how and when to use them with every quilt I gift.