Everything You Need to Know About Washing Bed Sheets and Bedding
There are few better feelings in the world than getting into bed between freshly laundered sheets. For some of us, that feeling is the primary motivation for regularly washing and caring for our bedding.
You spend a third of your life asleep - and most of those hours will be clocked in your bed. All of the dead skin cells, make-up and sweat that naturally accrue on our sheets can become unhygienic if left for too long, and definitely less pleasant to sleep in!
Knowing how to wash and care for your bedding can make a significant difference in maintaining its quality. Not only will clean, fresh bedding enhance the quality of your sleep, but it can also help to extend the life of your sheets and keep them looking their best for longer.
The prospect of washing your sheets once a week can be a little daunting for those with busy lives - and adding into the mix the common confusion around what setting to wash bed sheets on only deters people further from whipping off less than fresh bedding!
Today we’ll provide you with some valuable tips and industry insight into washing and caring for all your bedding, duvet covers, sheets, pillows - the lot!
How to Wash Bed Sheets
Fabrics need to be looked after to prolong their lifespan and ensure they continually feel soft against your skin. When it comes to washing bed sheets, there are a few key tips to keep in mind. Follow these guidelines to ensure your bottom sheet stays clean, soft, and soothing.
- Wash by colour: whites should be washed with whites and pastels - darker colours grouped together in case any dye runs, to ensure the whites stay bright!
- Check for stains: before washing, inspect your sheets for any stains. Treat them with a stain remover or a mixture of mild detergent and water for better results. Let the stain remover work for 15 minutes or so before putting the bedding in the wash as normal.
- Check the care label: the manufacturer might recommend specific washing instructions, such as washing the bedding inside out or on a low temperature setting.
- Use mild detergent: avoid harsh chemicals that might damage the fabric or irritate sensitive skin and opt for a gentle, mild detergent instead. Typically, anything with chlorine or peroxide should be avoided.
- Don’t use fabric softener: it might seem counterintuitive - but fabric softener will coat the fibres and cause them to break down over time.
- Wash in cold or warm water: hot water can cause shrinkage and fade the colour, so it's best to use cold or warm water for most bedding materials. 60 degrees celsius is standard for whites, and 40 degrees celsius and below is better for colours.
- Avoid overloading the washer: overloading the washer can prevent thorough cleaning and rinsing. Wash your sheets separately or with similar fabrics to ensure proper agitation and hygiene.
- Dry with care: ideally you want to air-dry your sheets, but if you do tumble dry occasionally, make sure to use a low heat setting to prevent excessive shrinkage or damage. Remove the sheets from the dryer promptly to hang on a rack to minimise wrinkles.
- Empty the lint trap: it’s often forgotten, but a full lint trap can cause pilling to fabrics - and it’s an easy fix.
How to Wash Bedding
The rest of your bedding, like duvet covers, pillowcases and even blankets, can be washed as if they were sheets. Use the steps detailed above on a weekly basis to keep everything fresh.
Actual pillows and duvets should be approached slightly differently. We use them daily, but always with the barrier of sheets and pillowcases - which is why they only require washing every 2 to 4 months.
Make sure your deep clean goes smoothly by following our best tips, below.
- Check the care label: down-filled duvets have different cleaning requirements to hypoallergenic, synthetic fillings. Synthetic fabrics are usually washed at 40 to 60 degrees. Generally speaking, natural fibres are better-off being cleaned at a dry-cleaners. Always refer to the care label for specific washing instructions.
- Remove any stains: if there are any stains or spills on your duvet or pillowcases, spot clean them with a mild detergent or a stain remover.
- Check the size of the washing machine: duvets and pillowcases need ample space to move around during washing. If your home washing machine is not large enough, consider taking them to a laundrette with larger machines.
- Select the right cycle: choose a gentle or delicate cycle on your washing machine, to prevent any damage to the filling or fabric.
- Use a mild detergent: as with your sheets, choose a mild detergent formulated for delicate fabrics. Avoid bleach or harsh chemicals as they can damage the fibres and reduce the lifespan of your duvet and pillowcases.
- Consider hand-washing: if transporting them out of the house isn’t an option, you can also wash by hand.
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Rinse: as with sheets, rinse the duvet once the cycle is complete to fully remove the detergent.
- Drying methods: drying duvets and pillowcases properly is crucial to prevent moisture buildup and potential mould or mildew growth.
- Tumble dry at a low heat and a delicate cycle. Add a few wool dryer balls or clean tennis balls to help fluff the filling.
- Air dry on a clothesline or lay them flat on a clean surface, flipping occasionally to ensure even drying. This takes longer but is gentle on the fabrics.
- Fluffing and shaking: once the duvet and pillowcases are completely dry, give them a good shake to redistribute the filling. Fluff them by hand or use a large, clean, and dry towel in the dryer on a no-heat setting to help plump them up.
Caring for your bed sheets and bedding is not only about cleanliness and prolonging their lifespan, but also about ensuring a comfortable and inviting sleeping environment.
With our extensive range of luxury bedding, and our tips for keeping it fresh, create the perfect sanctuary for your most peaceful nights’ sleep yet, with our bedding range.
