Fresh and clean bedding linen can make your bedroom look great and also ensure a healthy and sound sleep.
You can find amazing bedding options online at Linens & Hutch; however, knowing how to take care of them will ensure that they look new and fresh the way they were when you first got them.
- Before you do anything with your new bedding, make sure you locate the care labels and read them carefully. Not all bedding is made equal, so not all bedding can be treated the same.
As long as you look at the care labels and take note of the instructions, you can't go wrong with basic care for your bedding linens.
Did you know that cotton fibres shrink the first time you wash them? Cotton bedding linen is deliberately designed and engineered to be a little too big to allow for shrinkage.
After washing them for the first time, cotton sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases will be the right size to fit your bed and mattress, so it is important that before you use them for the first time, wash everything first. This first wash will also make your bed smell beautiful and fresh for your first use, which is always a plus.
But you need to wash them right. Take these simple steps before you hit the start button on your washing machine, otherwise your beautiful new bedding may not last long:
Unfold the linen before washing to ensure even cleanliness. Sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers are often folded for packing, so give them a good shake to loosen them before you put them in the machine.
Separate your bedding into whites and colours so your fresh white sheets don't accidentally fade or get stained with coloured fabrics. As much as possible, avoid washing bedding with clothing since jean zippers and underwear hooks have a terrible habit of grabbing and damaging delicate fabrics.
Check your detergent to make sure it is suitable for your linens. Detergents with bleaching agents are fine to use on white fabrics, but can cause staining and discoloration on coloured fabrics.
When washing Egyptian cotton sheets, choose a mild cotton-type detergent designed for delicate garments and do not be tempted to use more than the recommended amount, as this will cause discoloration.
Avoid the use of fabric softeners. Cotton naturally softens during washing, so there is no need for fabric softeners, which can actually clog the fabric's pores and lose its natural shine. When washing cotton bedding, keep the temperature at 40ºC or lower, as higher temperatures can damage the natural fibres.
Stick to slow spin cycles as using fast spin can damage your cotton sheets and shorten their lifespan. Most fabric care labels will tell you that tumble-drying is not an option, and even those that say tumble-drying is okay will set the drying temperature too low.
Drying cotton bedding naturally whenever possible is recommended. However, this is not always possible, and on these occasions, you can set lower drying temperatures in your dryer. You should also avoid over-drying your bedding, as this can damage the fibres and reduce their natural softness.
Also, try to keep anything from scratching your sheets—nightgown glam is a classic culprit, as are pet paws and even our own toenails.
Regularly rotating the sheets can also help keep the pile away. Whenever possible, change the bed sheets every week and turn the sheets every time so you do not often sleep in the same area.
Lastly, protecting your sheets from dust during storage can also help prevent nasty bobbles from appearing.
