I wash my cotton batts before I use them. I hand quilt and it is soooo much easier to needle after they have been washed. I soak it in HOT water for about an hour until it is really wet but do not let the washer agitate. Then I put the washer on "spin" and get the water out. Then I put it in the dryer. When it is dry, I make the sandwich and start quilting. When the finished quilt needs to be washed, I wash it in the washer and hang dry it.