How To Wash Bed Sheets

Did you know that bed sheets can impact the quality of your sleep? Not only that, how clean your sheets are may affect your slumber too.

Your bed should be the ultimate haven after a busy day. However, we know that washing bedding on a regular basis can feel like a chore. Plus, there’s the extra challenge of drying sheets, especially in winter.

There’s also a range of things to consider when washing your bed sheets. For example, what temperature should you wash them at? What do the symbols on their care labels mean? And so on.

So, if you’re looking for some tips on how to wash bed sheets the easy way, check out our handy guide below.

The importance of the right sheets
for a good night’s sleep

Purchasing high-quality bed sheets can make washing them a breeze. In addition, the material is also a significant factor in how well you sleep. Fabric consideration is therefore vital to ensure a relaxing experience.

Quality cotton bed linens are breathable and comfortable, which allows your body to regulate temperature. In comparison, synthetic materials trap heat, which could lead to feeling hot and experiencing disrupted sleep.

So once you’ve selected the best sheets for you and your bed, we can move on to the important part - washing them.

While there are some basic rules for washing bed sheets, the finer details will ensure they retain quality and colour for longer. Read on to find out more.

How to wash bedding – the basics

Read the care label

If you normally just pop your bed sheets on a 40-degree spin cycle and hoped for the best, you’re not alone. However, your bed sheets come with washing instructions to make life easier, and it’s a good idea to use them.

While most fabrics are machine washable, some require special care. The problem is, it’s not always clear what all the symbols mean on the care label!

The most common ones you’ll find on bed sheets include the temperature to wash at, iron settings and whether you can put them in a dryer. If you need some guidance on what they all mean, check out this helpful resource.

Separate the fabrics

To ensure the best wash, try to separate the fabrics. Putting different fabrics together can deteriorate the material. So try to wash all cottons together to retain material durability.

Separate colours

If you’ve ever had a sneaky red sock hide amongst your white wash, you’ll know the heartache it causes. Colours can bleed onto other fabrics and cause whites to look drab. While it might seem quicker to pack everything in together, always separate lights and darks for best results and no surprises.

Removing stains from bed sheets

Before washing bed sheets, remove any stains. A range of things can cause stains, and the longer it sits, the harder it is to remove.

To make washing easier, soak the stain beforehand. There is also a range of stain removers suitable for all bedding types. However, be sure to read the instructions!

Once soaked, you can typically place your sheets in the washing machine as normal and they should come out stain-free.

How to wash bed sheets – light colours

As you spend around a third of your day in bed, it’s vital to wash your sheets at optimum temperatures to get rid of dirt and bacteria. Read the care label for the correct washing setting, or use the hottest one that’s safe for your bed sheets.

If your bedding is particularly delicate and can’t withstand high temperatures, many washing powders and tablets also work well on cooler cycles.

When washing light bed sheets, always remember to separate from any colourful or dark fabrics that may cause discolouration.

How to wash bed sheets – dark colours

Dark coloured bed sheets can fade more quickly, especially when washed at higher temperatures. Cooler cycles will retain the colour better. If in doubt, read the care label for advice.

How to wash linen sheets

Linen is a popular option for bedding. However, it differs from cotton significantly. To achieve a soft finish when washed, it’s advisable to stick to cooler cycles. High temperatures will cause the fabric to feel stiff and scratchy, which isn’t ideal for sleeping. Linen also has thermoregulation properties, so naturally keeps you cooler.

Drying bed sheets

Drying bed sheets can be a challenge, especially in winter. However, the best way to dry bedding is by placing it outside in the sunshine. The sun is a natural disinfectant and will help brighten white sheets.

If this is not possible, you can place bed linens in a tumble dryer. Opt for a low heat setting and avoid overloading it. Your bed sheets need space to circulate. It’s always best to check the care label too. Some fabrics cannot be tumble-dried as the heat or spin setting could affect the quality of the material.

If your sheets have embellishments or embroidered detail, always hang-dry instead.  

Ironing bed sheets

Ironing your sheets can be challenging, but it will give you that unrivalled crisp, clean feeling. Plus, ironing has the added benefit of killing any remaining bacteria.

Using a hot setting after the wash will leave your sheets dazzling and fresh. It will also help eliminate any remaining moisture before storage.

If you have linen bedding, you’re in luck. One of the best things about this material is you don’t actually need to iron it.

Its natural look and feel create a unique aesthetic, so you can place it straight on the bed once it’s dry. Of course, if you want to iron it, you can, but opt for a medium heat setting. This creates a flat and smooth look without causing the material to stiffen.

Top tip - If you have dark linens on your bed in direct sunlight, rotate them to avoid colour fading.

How often should you wash bed sheets?

Studies show that people wash their bed sheets on average every two weeks. But, surprisingly, this survey found that around 1 in 3 people only wash sheets once a year – wow!

Whichever camp you sit in, experts actually have a different opinion. Most recommend washing bed sheets weekly. Laundering at these intervals ensures dead skin, dust, and bacteria doesn’t wreak havoc with your skin and overall health.

Allergy sufferers

If you suffer from allergies or asthma, experts advise washing more frequently to reduce the impact on your health.

There are also other factors that could warrant more frequent washing, including:

• Sweating excessively
• Pets sleeping in your bed
• Sleeping naked
• Eating in bed
• Skin infections that make contact with the sheets

What to avoid when washing bed sheets

With the help of the above tips, you’ll be a washing guru in no time. However, there are a few things to watch out for to keep your bedding in top condition for longer.

Overloading the washing machine

Bed sheets take up a lot of room in the washing machine. Some appliances can handle larger loads, but be mindful of what you can fit in. For example, a set of king size 1000 thread count sheets could take up a full machine load on its own.

Overloading can lead to bed sheets having less space to circulate, resulting in poorly washed bedding. Therefore, take note of how much you’re putting in the drum.

Using the wrong cycle setting

Choosing the wrong cycle setting once isn’t the end of the world. But, continuous washing at an incorrect setting can affect the quality and longevity of your bed sheets. If in doubt, always refer to the care label for the recommended cycle.

Over drying

Sheets can take longer to dry than other washing due to the space they need. But avoid being tempted to leave the sheets out longer or in the dryer for more time.

If you hang them outside too long, the sun may cause bleaching to colours and create that crispy feel. Plus, leaving sheets in the tumble dryer for extended periods can lead to shrinkage and extra wear on the fabric.

Create a cosy and clean bedroom

Washing bed sheets is an integral part of keeping your bedroom clean and fresh for the perfect night’s sleep.

At Victoria Linen, we have a variety of bedding that fits into your interiors and lifestyle with ease. Many of our bedding sets and linens are machine washable and are crafted to give you a comfortable and stylish sleep experience.

As our linens are bespoke to us, our team can provide advice and helpful tips on how to care for your bed linens. If you have any questions or need further information, contact us on 01706 220020 or email info@victorialinen.co.uk and we’ll be in touch shortly.

Check out the main tips in our inforgraphic below...