Should you wash a quilt before using it?
Also asked, should a new quilt be washed before using?
If you must dry clean your quilt be sure to air it (outside if possible) before using it. It is generally fine to wash your quilt in a home washing machine, though for a very large quilt you may need a commercial size machine.
Considering this, how do you wash a quilt for the first time?
For newer quilts made with quality fabric, wash in the washing machine with cold water on the gentle cycle with a low sudsing, mild detergent like Dreft or Woolite. You can also throw a color catcher in if there are really saturated colors in your quilt. Line dry, or tumble dry on low if the quilt is well-made.
The short answer to how often should you wash/change your sheets is: It depends. On average, most experts recommend weekly washings. You might be able to get away with washing your linens once every two weeks if you're pressed for time, or you don't sleep in your bed every night.