How to Care for Your Bedding

If we don’t care for our bedding, it might get stained, stiff, or even smelly. This can impact our sleep and our mood.

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Here are a few things that you can do regularly to care for your bedding so that it lasts longer and helps you have a good night’s sleep:

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Before Washing Your Bedding

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Pre-Treat Any Stains

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Before you wash your bedding, try to remove tough stains such as mascara, makeup, or tea stains. To do so, either use a stain remover or apply a small amount of detergent directly to these spots and then gently rub it into the fabric with your fingers. You can also use mild soap or a small amount of dish soap as an alternative stain treatment. Let it sit for at least 5 minutes before you start your wash cycle.

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Wash Your Bedding Separately

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When you mix delicate fabrics or smooth cotton with rougher items like jeans or clothes with zippers and hooks, you risk damaging your bedding through snags and catches. That's why it's crucial to wash your bedding separately from other laundry items.

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Don't Fill The Drum

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Don't overload your washing machine when washing bedding — it's a common mistake that can prevent your items from getting properly cleaned. Make sure there's enough space for your bedding to move freely in the water, allowing each section to get thoroughly washed.

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Wash Your Bedding Frequently

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You should wash your sheets every one to two weeks to maintain good hygiene and combat dust mites, bacteria, stains, and odors. The exact frequency depends on personal factors like whether you sleep naked, how much you sweat, and your shower habits. Getting into a consistent washing routine makes it easier to maintain this schedule.

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While Washing Your Bedding

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Choose The Right Detergent

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When choosing a detergent for your bedding, you should opt for non-bio (baby detergent, enzyme-free, or detergent for sensitive skin) detergent since biological detergents contain enzymes that can damage fabric fibers. While this damage happens slowly with sturdy materials like cotton and linen, it's particularly risky for delicate fabrics like wool and silk. If you're currently using bio detergent, don't worry too much, but consider switching to non-bio once you run out.

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Skip the Fabric Softener

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Don't use fabric softener on your bedding — it leaves behind a layer of chemicals that can damage your fabrics over time. If you really want that soft feel, you can use a small amount on the cotton sheets, but it's best to avoid it altogether to protect your bedding's longevity.

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Use The Right Water Temperature

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When it comes to water temperature for washing bedding, there's a sweet spot to aim for. While hot water is great at removing oils and cleaning thoroughly, it can damage fabric fibers over time, causing thinning and bobbling. Cold water, though better for fabric longevity, might not clean effectively enough. The ideal solution is washing linen and cotton bedding at 86°F-104°F. At these temperatures, you'll get effective cleaning while protecting your bedding and saving energy.

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After Washing Your Bedding

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Completely Dry Your Bedding

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Before you put it back on your bed, it's important to make sure all your bedding is fully dry. Damp bedding can lead to bacteria buildup and unpleasant odors — something you may have experienced if you've ever accidentally left your wash in the machine for too long.

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Line Dry over Tumble Dry

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If you can afford to, line dry your bedding as the heat from tumble drying can damage the fabric and reduce the life of your bedding. If you have to tumble dry, choose low to medium heat for both linen and cotton bedding. To avoid over-drying your bedding, you can choose modes like Iron Dry and Cupboard Dry in your dryer.

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Use Dryer Balls

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Using dryer balls is a great tumble-drying hack. These clever little balls come in many different materials and work by preventing laundry from clumping together in the dryer. This improves air circulation which can also reduce drying time. Dryer balls also help fight wrinkles and soften your laundry without the use of chemicals.

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Other Tips

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Here are some other tips that can help increase the life of your bedding:

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• Making your bed daily protects it from dust and pet hair. It also helps to maintain the shape of pillows and duvets. You can do that simply by fluffing pillows and arranging the duvet neatly, with an optional blanket or throw for added protection.
• Rotate your bedding regularly to increase its life. Flip your mattress once or twice per year, rotate pillows nightly, and switch duvets weekly to ensure even wear and extended lifespan.
• Invest in a mattress protector made of breathable material. It will protect your mattress while offering natural temperature regulation for comfortable sleep throughout the night.
• To maintain bedding freshness, regularly air out items like duvets, pillows, and mattresses by folding duvets at the foot of the bed and leaving mattresses bare for a few hours during sheet changes.

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