Learn how to wash your bed linen and protect your investment

So you bought yourself some beautiful sheets. It might even drop $100 on that fancy queen suit.

Those beautiful sheets need to be washed. The problem is: sometimes, when you wash those beautiful sheets, you will break those beautiful sheets and have to buy new beautiful sheets. Repeat the pattern.

Want to break the rules? We discussed with experts how to properly clean, dry and store bed sheets to protect your investment.

Tips on how to properly clean bed sheets

Follow these strategies to ensure that your sheets are durable.

Wash the bed linen water temperature

Nora Mitchell, editor-in-chief of Nora Mitchell, says to check the material of the sheets to make sure you are using the correct heat settings Family advice, California digital publication covering home repairs, DIY projects and design.

But even following the instructions is tricky.

The hotter the heat setting, the greater the impact on the fabric, because the heat will decompose the delicate fabric. But you need heat to remove bacteria, dirt and stains.

Mitchell said that under normal circumstances, cotton sheets use hot water, and other more delicate materials use warm water. For example, never wash silk in hot water, otherwise the material may be damaged.

Although cold water is technically better for fabrics, it is not effective for cleaning bed sheets.

“Never use cold water because it cannot clean the sheets properly or remove dust mites,” she said.

Some fabrics, such as silk bed sheets, need to be washed in their own pure silk load with a mild detergent, so make sure to read the label instructions before washing.

Adjust the load size when washing sheets

Karin Sun, an expert and founder of bedding textiles, said that when washing bedding, only add a complete set of bedding or duvet each time. Crane and canopy.

“This will allow your bedding to be thoroughly and evenly cleaned,” she said.

If there are any zippers on the bed cover, limiting the washing load will protect the zippers and extend the life of the fabric. The zipper should be closed before washing or drying.

The best bed linen detergent

Use mild detergents, such as Tide Free & Gentle, Dreft or Arm & Hammer Clean & Simple, because more harsh detergents can damage the linen linen. Strong detergent will break down the fabric faster. Remember, the goal here is to save the sheet set for as long as possible.

The owner and founder of the washing machine Emily Johnstone (Emily Johnstone) said that when loading the washing machine, do not put the detergent directly on the fabric. The best mattress for you, Provide sleeping tips and mattress reviews, etc.

Johnstone said that if you don’t have a detergent dispenser and you have a top loader, put the detergent in the bathtub and fill it with water before adding the linen to ensure that the detergent has been diluted.

Use only ¼ cup of detergent per sheet, which extends the life of the sheets.

“This reduces the wear on the bed sheets and allows you to get more miles from a bottle of detergent, so this is a win-win,” Johnstone said.

If possible, please use eco-friendly products with minimal chemicals for your sheets and bedding (Tide Purclean, Seventh Generation Free & Clear, or Method 8X Free & Clear) so that you will not damage the delicate fibers of the sheets. Marketing Manager Jane Wilson says Australia’s amazing cleaner.

“Any detergent that contains chemicals and is not used on sensitive fabrics is a big no-no,” she said. “In addition, you must make sure that the cleaning products do not contain optical brighteners, because they can easily discolor the fabric.”

Although you may want to use bleach on white linen, the use of chlorine bleach or residual bleach from previous laundry can cause discoloration and weaken the fibers of the bedding. Sun of Crane and canopy Say. This will reduce the life span of your bedding. She said that if you do use bleach, use only color-safe bleach substitutes to maintain white and bright colors.

How to clean very dirty sheets

In order to find clean sheets and bedding, home improvement blogger Geneva Aaron suggested mixing a small amount of liquid detergent with water for partial cleaning to remove stains. Use mild detergent such as Dreft, Ivory or better Le Blanc linen lotion.

“If your sheets look dirty, please wash them with ½ cup of white vinegar. Do not use detergent to remove any possible detergent buildup,” said Aaron. “In addition, you can also consider using ½ cup of baking soda every time you wash, because baking soda will keep your sheets fresh and bright.”

This technique is particularly useful for people whose pets also share bed sheets. Or those who eat breakfast or other meals in bed. Maple syrup and chocolate sauce, not to mention spaghetti sauce, require special effort to clean.

If you can, avoid using the dryer

If your laundry room has time and space, it is best to hang the sheets to dry, because the dryer is rough on the sheets. Mitchell says this helps them last longer and reduces wrinkles. Those who live in warm climates can use the sun to dry the sheets on the line all year round.

If you must use a dryer, use gentle heat or low temperature settings, such as light pressure or permanent ironing, and remove the sheets as soon as it feels dry.

Put them in your linen cupboard, away from dust. Mitchell recommends ironing them before putting them away because the heat generated by the iron helps to further disinfect them.

Wilson said that if you do choose tumble drying, use gentle settings at low temperatures and make sure not to put them with anything with zippers, as this can be harmful to delicate sheets.

Paper storage matters

Store linens in fabric bags or wrap them in cotton/muslin to protect them from direct sunlight. This prevents dust from entering and prevents them from turning yellow.

Do not store them in plastic containers without first wrapping them in cotton, because direct contact with the plastic will turn yellow over time.

“A mistake I often see is that people put the sheets before they are completely dry, especially the air-dried pocket sheets, which can cause mold,” Johnston said.

Keep your sheets in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.

Keeping bed sheets away from moisture is crucial, as they are made of natural materials and can quickly become moldy and mildew. This means that if you have a linen closet in the bathroom, it is best not to store your sheets in that closet.

Penny Hoarder writer Danielle Braff is a Chicago writer who specializes in consumer goods and budget shopping. Her work has appeared in “New York Times”, “Washington Post”, “Real Simple” and other magazines.