It’s no secret that laundry day can be a real drag. In fact, most people would rather do anything but wash clothes – and with good reason. It takes time, energy and money to get the job done right. And if you don’t have the patience or know-how, it can lead to loads of frustration.
It’s not an easy process, and even the most basic steps can go awry. Whether you are dealing with jeans, towels or sheets, laundry is a chore that has no shortage of pitfalls. That’s why we decided to put together this handy guide for washing bedsheets. It will walk you through every step on your quest to clean while protecting your blankets.
How to wash your bed sheets?
- Start by sorting your sheets. Make sure you separate them into “lights” and “darks.”.
- Give the laundry detergent a good shake and pour it into the washer along with any stain removers or fabric softeners you might want to use.
- Throw in the bedsheets, making sure to fill up the washer, but don’t overload it. The bedsheets need room to move around during the wash cycle.
- Add any other clothing to the machine that is appropriate for the temperature and water type.
- Set the washer’s temperature to hot or cold. In either case, set it on a long wash.
- When the machine is finished, put the bedsheets in the dryer if you have one. Set it to “hot” or “cool” depending on which temperature your sheets are more comfortable with. Turn on your dryer and wait.
- Check your sheets after the time is up – they should not stick to the drum of the dryer or feel overly hot. If they aren’t completely dry, set the timer for another 10 minutes and do a quick check again.
- Remove the sheets and let them get some air before putting them on your bed.
How often should you wash bedsheets?
If you’re a parent with small children or pets at home, then Sleep Foundation recommends that you wash them every 3 to 4 days to avoid those deep-down stains and allergens from accumulating. But if you have no kids or furry friends in your household, then once a week is enough.
It is recommended to wash your bed sheets more frequently in the summer season because of the heat and moisture. This will help prevent molds from growing in your sheets, just like what happens to the towels in the bathroom.
Of course is this amount of washing not applicable to everyone. How much you need to wash your bed sheets do depend on many factors. If you sleep alone, sweat a lot, pets sleeping in the bed, how much sleep time you spend in your bed and how much dirt you bring into it. Adjust your washing week after what you think is healthy.
What to avoid when washing bed sheets?
Well, to ensure that your bed sheets last long, you have to know what not to do when washing them. For example, these are the things that you should avoid when it comes to washing:
Using very hot water
You should always use the water temperature stated on the sheets when doing laundry. Too hot water will damage the fabrics of your bed sheets and can cause shrinkage.
Using bleach
The bleach is strong enough to kill stains, but it also has a tendency to wear down the fibers of the materials that you’re treating with it. However, take note that chlorine bleach is suitable for white sheets because it is less harmful to the material, compared to oxygen bleach.
Using fabric softener
Fabric softeners leave a coating on your laundry that can make them look and feel nicer when you wear them again. The only problem with this is that they coat every fiber in your sheets and can interfere with absorbency. So if you want your sheets to last you longer, then it’s best not to use fabric softeners.
Not reading the label on the bed sheets
Some bedsheets are not machine washable, some need to be washed by hand only. It is important to know the best way to wash and dry your bedsheets in order for them to last long and look nice.
It’s very easy: all we have to do it check if there are any instructions put on the label of your sheets. If yes, follow those instructions step by step.
What happens if you don’t wash your bed sheets?
The thing is that constant use of your bed sheets can cause bacteria to build up. This bacteria is unhealthy and can cause bad odors which are really not good for the quality of your sleep or health!
It might seem strange but it’s true that if you don’t wash your bedsheets, then you might get rings on them after a few days or weeks.
Treating your bedsheets properly from the beginning can help you get rid of the unwanted odors and bacteria, while prolonging its lifespan!
Conclusion
In order to have clean and healthy bed sheets that look good for a long time, it’s important to know how to wash them correctly. The article provided some important tips on what you can do to make sure your bedsheets stay fresh and clean!
Let us know what you think by leaving a comment below!
Thanks for reading and don’t forget to share our article with your friends!