What's the best way to wash & dry quilts?

I pop mine in a front loading washer and put it on a delicate cycle. I also use my regular powder detergent. I've heard quilters saying that liquid detergent is better. Will powder detergent damage my quilts in the long run? Also, can we use fabric softener?

I usually tumble dry using the gentle mode. Will this damage my quilt?

With regards to drying, is it better to do line drying or dry it flat?

I wash on delicate and dry on low. I use liquid soap for everything and I do use fabric softener. Most of the quilts I've made are small enough to fit in my top loading washer. If I had a larger one, I'd probably take it to the laundromat and use the front loader.

I wash them in a topload machine on gentle(even king sizes) and hang to dry on the line and the fluff in the dryer on delicate or low heat. I use a gentle liquid detergent to wash them, usually Zero/Woolite for colours and always, always use colour catchers.

i throw them in the washer- normal-
i throw them into the dryer--regular cycle

if i make a very special quilt that i believe needs different care i determine that for that quilt---such as my wool quilt- that one gets vacuumed...if something gets spilled it get spot cleaned right away- it has been washed (gently, tumble dried)

most of the quilts i make go to people who are not going to treat them any different than any other blanket in the house- so i make them to last that kind of abuse.
and i always use fabric softener.

do not HANG wet quilts- the weight of a wet quilt (hanging) can cause all kinds of unfortunate events...from stretching out of shape- to seams,stitching breaking- pulled apart. if you want to dry it outside the process is...lay a sheet down on the ground-lay quilt on sheet- lay second sheet on top- allow to dry (may have to turn over)
the reasons for the sheets is to protect from animals...and sun- sun will fade your fabrics

I've been wanting to use liquid detergent but the instruction manual for my front loader says that only powder detergent can be used. Any advice on how to use liquid detergent for a front loader? I've read somewhere that powder detergent lodged between the quilt batting can damage it. What I do is I rinse it another time or two to ensure that nothing is left inside. Not sure if this helps though.

I wash on gentle with liquid and then put in dryer with dryer sheet for about 15-20 minutes then take out shake well and lay flat to dry completely.

When replacing my washer, I looked for the largest capacity, gentlest cycle machine. I use the hand wash mode. Before that I put my king quilt in the tub and just squished water and gentle soap through it.

I've had a front load washer for several years now. If I wasn't supposed to use liquid no one told me - I just use very little since you are using so much less water. I wash them just like clothes and dry the same. I do pre-wash (with color catchers) and dry my fabric before using it.

I wash by hand in the tub, spin dry in the washer, and hang on line in the sun to dry. No problems.

Mine didn't say no liquid - but it did say High Efficiency detergent only! I have never used powder in mine and it is several years old now. I use Tide or Wisk all the time - just look for the He on the label :-)