The first thing I do when I put the last stich in the binding is go throw it in the washer. I wash on warm with regular detergent. If I remember I throw in a color catcher. I dry my quilts in the dryer and pull them out and turn them once in a while so they get evenly dry.
I want quilts that I give to people to be fresh and clean. It can be ages between the time I start a quilt and when I put that last stitch in the binding.