Investing in luxury bedding and fitted sheets will be the best life decision you will ever make. They are soft and easy on the skin and help elevate your bedroom’s charm. However, to ascertain long-lasting comfort, you must care for them regularly; if you are unsure how, here’s everything to know.
When it comes to taking care of luxurious products, we are often extra mindful of the care instructions and want to make sure that everything goes as directed.
Whether it’s a set of luxury fitted sheets, bedding, or throws, we want to be assured that after the cleaning, they look like new. However, there are times when you will encounter tricky situations where washing might not yield the desired results.
To avoid such situations, it is highly recommended to stay cautious in your everyday practices by doing the following:
1. Avoid Doing Anything that Can Cause Stains
Luxury bedding has a denser thread count, making it smooth and rich to the touch. Eating or even drinking beverages like soda, coffee, or tea significantly increases the chances of spills.
Even if you act with all your might and make sure to scrub the surface using natural cleaners, there is always a possibility that the food or beverage particles might have entered the weave and could have been absorbed by the fabric.
Aggressive rubbing or excessive use of cleaning agents can risk the weave, making it further challenging to remove the stain. In such cases, it is always advisable to seek professional help over trying DIY remedies and make it a point never to eat or drink (even water) anything on the bed.
2. Wash with Natural Cleaners
Most luxury fitted sheets and other bedding items are made from organically sourced materials that are delicate in nature and can thin-out or break easily. When using regular cleaning products, there’s a high risk of fabric damage as these cleaners are made for more rigid fabrics like cotton, polyester, and nylon.
As a result, investing in cleaning agents specially meant for cleaning natural fabrics like wool, cashmere, silks, and soft linens becomes crucial. If you are unsure which products to use, refer to the label that comes with these products to understand the type of care you must provide.
Additionally, in case the bedding has detailing like embellishments, embroidery work, or prints, it is always advisable to reverse sides when cleaning to prevent decoloration or damage (as a result of cleaning action) from prevailing.
3. Dry Your Bedding and Luxury Fitted Sheets Properly
Complete and appropriate drying is critical to prevent mold and fungus from growing on your luxury bedding. Whenever these natural fabrics are exposed to water, they soak more than synthetic fabrics due to the presence of hollow space in weaves (this is also why they get so heavy after washing).
Improper drying often leaves behind damp patches that can quickly become breeding grounds for fungus, mold, and, in the worst cases, worms. These infiltrations will eat up the natural thread of the bedding to sustain their lifecycles and reproduction, resulting in tiny holes and unnatural fabric thinning.
Such dreadful situations can be easily avoided by ensuring the bedding is completely dry before you store it. You can check them manually by touching everywhere to identify any areas that are still damp. While it will be a time-consuming process initially, the amount of money and heartbreak it will save is invaluable.
4. After Wash Precautions
We often tend to leave our bedding in the washing machine longer than it should be there. This significantly increases the chances of mildew and the fabric acquiring a musty and earthy smell. While there is no significant harm if it has happened once or at maximum twice, stopping it is essential if this is a repeated occurrence.
When the bedding is left in the washing machine long after the wash cycle, it is still in contact with the residual moisture, giving room for bacteria and mold to grow. If you have left the bedding and fitted sheets in the washing machine for longer than 8-12 hours, it is highly recommended to give it another wash.
It will eliminate all the mold, potential bacterial growth, and residuals from the fabric while fresh air is breathed into it. If the bedding ends up having a foul, water-like smell, consider adding some vinegar or baking soda during the wash cycle. However, do check if the fabric can withstand them without incurring any chemical reactions.
5. Ironing and Storing
If you prefer having crisp bedsheets when folding them, you can choose to iron them once they have dried completely. However, make sure that you read through the instructions carefully before doing so.
Some fabrics shrink or even sustain burns when subjected to the slightest amount of heat. At the same time, fabrics like cotton usually require more heat than natural fabrics to take the desired shape and form. Similarly, fitted bedsheets shouldn’t be ironed on the hems as it can hamper the stretchability of elastics.
Properly storing your bedding is paramount to preventing creases and folds from forming. Always start arranging by placing frequently used items at the top, followed by least used items at the bottom.
It will ensure the folded bedding and fitted sheets are not disturbed while you are taking out other items from the closet. Additionally, avoid using plastic containers to store your organic, luxurious bedding.
The plastic tends to react with temperature changes and is likely to emit gases that cause a yellow tint on the bedding. While on dark colors, these stains will not be obvious, on light colors, the tints can end up ruining the aesthetics completely.
6. Rotate and Replace
While you could be tempted to continue using the same bedding and fitted sheets over and over due to the familiar comfort and aesthetics they offer, it is never a good idea. By doing so, you are constantly subjecting the fabric to everyday use, resulting in wear and tear (even when you are being extra careful and cautious).
Instead, investing in 3-4 pairs and rotating them in random order is recommended. The bedsheets should be changed once a week or at least once every two weeks. Regardless of where you live, your bedding is absorbing your sweat without you realizing it.
Keeping the same bedsheet for days on end can cause hygiene concerns. Additionally, as the bedroom is a resting room after a long day of getting things done, there’s always a possibility that you are bringing in unexpected guests, like dirt, grime, allergens, etc, unnoticed. Routine cleaning gets rid of these irritants, preventing unexplained occurrence of allergic episodes.
7. The Ultimate Thumb Rule
Whether you are spending all day working from your home office or are spending the day in your corporate office, your body is moving and producing residuals (sweat, body oils, and lotions from the skincare routine).
Going to bed with these elements on your body will result in the fabric absorbing them, ultimately giving off a difficult-to-clean odor. Showering before hitting the bed ensures that all the dirt, grime, body oils, and lotions are washed off when you get into bed.
Also, it is advised to avoid climbing the bed and getting into a sleeping position right away after a skincare routine. The unabsorbed serums, creams, and lotions can transfer onto the bedding, leaving a mark and hampering the fabric structure.
Small Life Changes Have a Lasting Impact
Luxury bedding and fitted sheets will be amongst the best investments you will ever make in your life. To guarantee a longer-lasting life for them, make sure to follow the instructions listed on the label and act swiftly after the wash cycle is over.
Additionally, changing the bedding every week, using adequate storage options, and investing in high-quality (mild) cleaning products will ensure your bedding is in pristine condition for years to come.
