Goes straight on the bed. I figure it's brand new, still in a package, sealed, so it's clean enough.
YES!!!
Just like F&F said, sheets, towels, etc. . . anything that TOUCHES me.
There is "sizing" added to all new products {clothing, sheets, etc...} to make them stay wrinkle free and new looking, you do not want to roll around in it. . . . icky.
when I worked in retail I learned it was "sizing" once. It makes clothing looks so starched and pristine, seems to resist wrinkling so I bet stains at first as well.