How to Keep Your Bedding Clean, Fresh & Long-Lasting 

Clean, well-maintained sheets are essential for a restful night’s sleep and healthy skin; not to mention that proper bed linen care can also contribute to a healthier environment. That is why Cleaner Cleaner’s professionals have put together everything you need to know about laundry in one place. In this post, you will find various tips from our professional cleaners – from selecting the proper sheets to washing them according to the season, fabric type, and even your local water conditions.

cotton sheets for easier bed linen care

Natural fabrics like cotton regulate body temperature effectively. Their robust fibres also handle warmer washes, ensuring thorough dirt and stain removal.

What Are the Best Fabrics for Bed Linens?

Understanding the fabric type of your sheets will lead to better bed linen care. There are 2 main types of fabrics:

Synthetic and Mixed-Fabric Linens

Sheets made from polyester or polyester blends are often budget-friendly and great at resisting wrinkles. However, there’s a downside: the synthetic fabrics release tiny microplastic particles every time you wash them. These particles then enter our waterways, reaching every part of our ecosystems; they are so widespread that they have even been detected in human bodies. While the long-term effects are still being studied, it’s clear they’re not ideal for the environment.

That said, don’t rush to throw out your current synthetic sheets if they’re still in good shape – waste is waste, no matter what! Use what you have, but consider more sustainable choices when it’s time for new ones.

Read also: What Upholstery Fabric to Choose for Easy Care of Your Furniture

Cotton and Organic Cotton Linens

Cotton sheets, especially organic ones, are a fantastic choice. They’re wonderfully breathable, durable, and much kinder to your skin and the planet. Organic cotton is grown without the use of pesticides and uses less water, making it a more environmentally sound option. Even standard cotton is a healthier alternative to most synthetic fabrics.

Whether your sheets are synthetic, natural, or a blend, this bed linen care guide will help you wash them in the most effective and eco-conscious way possible.

Keep your sheets spotless: no matter the fabric, avoid eating in bed to prevent stains and bacteria growth.

How to Wash Every Type of Bedding Fabric

To keep your linens truly clean and extend their life, it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. Different fabrics need different care.

Caring for Natural Fabrics 

For natural fibres like cotton, linen, and bamboo, a gentle but effective bed linen care works best.

  • Wash these linens in warm water, typically between 40 °C and 60°C. This temperature is ideal for removing body oils and sweat without damaging the fibres. Too hot, and they might shrink or wear out quicker; too cold, and they might not get properly cleaned.
  • Always use a gentle, biodegradable detergent that’s free from optical brighteners and harsh chemicals. These can degrade natural fibres over time, so look for eco-friendly labels.
  • Ensure you don’t overload the machine with too many sheets. Linens need space to move freely to get a proper wash and rinse; overloading can leave them stiff or even with detergent residue.
  • If you can, line-dry your natural linens. The sun not only saves energy but also sunlight naturally whitens whites and acts as a fantastic sanitiser, helping to kill bacteria and dust mites.

Caring for Synthetic Linens 

Washing synthetic sheets, such as those made from polyester, requires a slightly different approach, primarily focused on reducing microplastic shedding and preserving the fabric’s integrity.

  • Use cold to lukewarm water, ideally between 30 °C and 40°C. Hotter water can encourage more microplastic fibres to shed during the wash.
  • If possible, consider using a microplastic-catching laundry bag (like a Guppyfriend bag) or a special washing machine filter. These won’t stop all shedding but will significantly reduce it.
  • Avoid using fabric softeners on synthetic linens. They can coat the fibres, making them less breathable and actually trapping odours and bacteria over time.
  • Air drying is always best for synthetics. Tumble drying, especially with high heat, can cause odours to stick and accelerate fibre degradation, leading to increased microplastic shedding and a shorter lifespan for your sheets.

Blended Fabrics: A Bit of Both

For fabrics that contain a mix of natural and synthetic fibres, it’s usually best to approach the bed linen care like you would with synthetic fabric to minimise shedding. However, if the blend contains a high percentage of cotton (e.g., 80% cotton, 20% polyester), you may opt for a slightly warmer wash, around 40°C, with minimal risk. Keep a close eye on the fabric over time; blended fabrics can be prone to pilling. Using a gentle washing cycle and a mild detergent can help to mitigate this issue, preserving the smooth feel of your sheets.

Read also: How to Optimise Your Airbnb Cleaning Routine 

Air drying your sheets is a win-win: it saves energy and the sun’s UV rays naturally kill bacteria and mould.

How to Wash Your Bed Linens Season by Season

Here’s how to adapt your laundry routine to the changing seasons to achieve cleaner linens, better sleep, and more efficient use of resources.

Summer Linen Care: Light and Frequent

In the summer, when it’s warmer and we sweat more, your bed linens will need to be washed more often.

  • Your bed linens need more frequent washing. Aim for twice a week if you sleep naked or tend to sweat a lot. This stops body oils from building up and discolouring your sheets.
  • Choose light, breathable fabrics like percale cotton or linen. They help you stay cool.
  • Summer is the perfect time to line-dry your linens outside. The sun’s UV rays are brilliant at killing bacteria, reducing odours, and naturally brightening whites – all without using any electricity.

Read also: Expert Summer Cleaning Tips for a Fresh and Healthy Home

Winter Linen Care: Warmth and Dryness

As it gets colder, your bed linen care routine shifts to ensure hygiene and prevent dampness.

  • A weekly wash, or every 10 days, is usually sufficient in winter, especially if you wear pyjamas.
  • It’s crucial to dry your bed linens thoroughly in winter. If you’re drying indoors, ensure there’s plenty of ventilation to prevent musty smells or mould. A dehumidifier can be a lifesaver.
  • If you’re using a tumble dryer, add wool dryer balls to help keep your wool items soft and fluffy. They help separate the laundry, speed up drying, and naturally soften fabrics.
  • For colder homes, flannel or brushed cotton sheets are wonderfully warm. Just wash them gently to avoid pilling.

Check also: How to Keep Your Carpets Clean in the Winter in London

An inexpensive mattress protector could have prevented this stain. (Thanks to our expertise, it’s now gone!)

Pro Tips to Make Your Linens Last Longer

Beyond washing, a few smart bed linen care habits can seriously extend the life, freshness, and comfort of your sheets, blankets, duvets, and even your mattress.

Get a Washable Mattress Protector

Your sheets alone won’t fully protect your mattress. A good mattress protector absorbs sweat and oils, and you can wash it monthly to keep it hygienic. This simple addition can drastically prolong your mattress’s life and keep it much cleaner.

Read also: 6 Questions About Your Mattress Answered by a Professional Cleaner

Deep-Clean Your Washing Machine

With use, grime and bacteria can build up inside your washing machine, transferring odours to your “clean” laundry. Once a month, run a hot (90°C) wash cycle with either the washer empty or with some old towels. This kills bacteria and removes buildup, ensuring your linens are truly washed in a clean environment.

Tackle Hard Water

If you live in an area with hard water, like much of London and the UK, you’ll know it can affect your laundry. The high mineral content often leaves fabrics feeling stiff, looking dull, and even discoloured over time. For effective bed linen care, consider adding a water-softening additive to your wash, or switch to a detergent formulated for hard water. You’ll soon see your linens stay much softer and brighter.

Rotate Your Sheets

Don’t always use the same set of sheets. For effective bed linen care, aim to have at least two to three sets per bed and rotate them weekly. This gives each set a break between washes, reducing wear and tear and prolonging their lifespan.

Check also: How to Keep Your Foldable Guest Bed Nice and Fresh

Duvets Care

You can wash most synthetic duvets at home. However, it’s essential to check the label first to ensure you are familiar with the correct care instructions. Use a large machine and tumble dry on low with dryer balls to prevent the filling from clumping. Down duvets often need professional cleaning. Aim to wash duvets every 6 to 12 months.

Pillows Care

Pillows gather dust mites and skin cells. Most synthetic and feather pillows can be machine-washed (again, check the label to be on the safe side). Wash two at a time to balance the load. Tumble dry on low heat with dryer balls to ensure they dry thoroughly inside and prevent mildew. It’s generally best to replace your pillows every 1-2 years as they lose support and accumulate allergens.

Mattress Care

In addition to using a protector, vacuum your mattress monthly to remove dust and allergens. For spills, spot-clean the area quickly with a mixture of mild laundry detergent and water, but be careful not to soak the fabric. Let the bed air dry completely before putting the sheets back on. A deep, professional mattress cleaning every 6-12 months can work wonders, tackling hidden allergens and refreshing your whole bed.

Read also: How to Care for Your Mattress 

Ready for a truly pristine bed and deeper sleep? Our professional mattress cleaning service in London delivers just that.

A Cleaner Home, From Bed to Floor

At Cleaner Cleaner, we know that caring for your home goes beyond bed linen care; it’s about making mindful choices for your daily life. For those times you need an expert touch, you can explore our professional cleaning services or contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote.

Check also: Mattress Cleaning With Caution and Diligence

We specialise in professional carpet, upholstery, and mattress cleaning, and our goal is to create a cleaner, healthier, and more comfortable living space for you. Let Cleaner Cleaner help you achieve a truly pristine home.