As I was reading this thread (no pun intended), I was thinking this same thing. The reason for going to the laundromat would be to use the big machines for large loads or bigger items. I cannot imagine the owners would be thrilled with the "stuff" that comes off these quilts ending up in their washers/dryers/plumbing. I think I would do what someone else suggested: put the rag quilt in a pillowcase or large cloth bag to wash. That's what I have done when felting old sweaters. We probably need to be considerate of others appliances.

How often do you have you septic tank pumped? In our county we have to do it every 3 years. I can't see that it will be any more of a problem than hair.

I put my tumbling blocks into the drier with a wet towel. Man, was there a lot of animal hair and quilt threads in the filter. I always wash my material first and then don't wash the quilt after.
Rita

I don't wash rag quilts in my machine, the reason being that the first time I did it, I had to take the pump off the machine and clean out all the threads. I did not want to do that again.

I would never wash my quilts at the laundramat. I live in oil country and if you could see what some the rig workers put in those machines you would think twice about using a public facility.

I am on a septic system - I don't snip the visible seam allowance. When I finish a rag quilt, while I'm watching tv I pull most of the threads from the seam allowance so very little is left to shed in whatever machine I use.

I also never put egg shells, bones (both of which will never dissolve), or coffee grounds thru my disposal. In over 25 years I have never had the system serviced.

Several years ago we had to have a new septic system put in (thru no fault of ours) and they guy that did it said you can throw some hamburger down your toilet or septic and it will break up the bacteria and works well. He also put "T joints" in the system to prevent tiny things from clogging the whole thing up and saving the new system. I can't remember what all he said about the T joints, but they seem to be working.
I have washed a twin and crib size rag quilt in my washer with no problems, the larger ones I take to the laundromat and use the big industrial size washer. Then I dry them at home.

I agree with Fabaddict! Why make it someone else's problem and cost???

I also put a nylon panty hose piece on the hose that drains in the was tub. I could not believe how much lint came from the rag quilt and I washed it a couple of times. I put it in the dryer and stopped the dryer a few times to empty lint catcher. Also in some of our laundromats have a notice no rag quilts but people still do it.

I wash everything at home. I do use one of those mesh strainers on the end of the hose coming from the washer (which then drains into a laundry tub) so the lint and threads do not go down the drain.