I too like to wash my quilts when they're finished. Like 117becca said, gotta get rid of the cat hair!

I wash all the washable components before cutting them -
and I also wash the finished item after it is completed.

The finished item gets the gentle treatment - tepid to cool water, gentle cycle - dry on low until barely dry - hang on rack to get dry dry.

I prefer to use a low or non-scented detergent and to skip the fabric softeners - some people are sensitive to scents and the fabric softeners.

If it's a little dolly quilt I don't wash it when finished because I used leftovers from other quilts whose fabrics were prewashed. No cat or dog and those little quilts get very little handling so fabrics are fresh.
I prewash fabrics for top and backing and use 80/20 or a good poly batting for quilts. This helps keep the flat look I like when I wash and dry the finished quilt. I dry the quilt over my deck railing or over living room couch in bad weather. I don't use fabric softener. May in Jersey

I always wash my quilts when I am done. I have to get rid of the pet hair and all the oils from my hands. I also want to make sure that all my seams hold up. I've had a couple of seams that popped while laundering and I was able to fix them. I would hate for this to happen to the person I am giving it to. I launder just how I would wash anything else. I always pre wash my fabrics so I don't have a need to use any color catchers. What laundry soap and softner I use depends on who it is going to. If it is a baby quilt, I wash it in a "free" detergent and no fabric softner. If it is going to an adult and I know there are no allergies, I will wash it with Tide and Downy.

I always wash my quilts when finished, partly to get rid of the starch that I use while quilting, partly to be sure the color and seams hold, and partly because I just love seeing it nice and clean and finished! I don't use fabric softener but there's no reason you shouldn't, if you use it in your regular wash. I used to use it all the time, but then Costco started carrying a different type, and it was scented, and I hated the strong scent, so I stopped using it. I found out that I didn't miss it, so that's one less thing I have to buy. More money for fabric? :)

I always wash my quilts before giving them away in warm/hot water, hot dryer and fabric softener (either sheets in the dryer or liquid in the rinse water). I figure that's the way I wash my bed clothes and most people do too. Just want to make sure it will hold up to abuse :)

I wash my quilts like I would wash anything else. I use Costco brand washing powder and whatever softener is on sale, BUT i do use two color catchers just in case. I used fresh scent beads with my last quilt and it smells devine.

I always wash and dry mine with fabric softner, wanna make sure it doesn't fall apart..... LOL

I always wash mine, want to make sure they can stand the test of time....especially if I have any loose seams or whatever, does become apparent after the first wash....use a little fabric softner, always color catchers.....and over dry in the dryer......You have no idea of the abuse they will suffer in the future....especially if you are dealing with children. Then only thing I don't wash are wall banners/quilts and table runners as they are more usually not washed at all or not much to speak of..... Always feel it is better to be super safe than oh so sorry.......................

If it's a charity quilt, wash in hot water,(unsecented soap), 1 or 2 color catchers, then dry with no fabric softner sheets, as never know about allergies, etc. of the person getting the quilt. If it's my own quilt, will sometimes use fabric softner sheets when drying.