Bedding can stay soft and comfortable for years. But if you’re washing them wrong, you could be shortening their lifespan.
As the founder of a laundry care brand Wilton London, Sam Whigham claims that he has seen every mistake out there when it comes to washing bed sheets.
To save you from making them, he has shared the “top mistakes to avoid” when washing bedding.
Overloading your machine
This mistake is made when washing the majority of laundry. Households need to remember, “less is more”.
Sam warned that overloading your machine will mean water and detergent don’t reach the whole load.
For the “best-washed bedding”, wash it separately from the rest of your laundry. This also “avoids the risk” of snagging on other items.
Treating all fabrics the same
As bed sheets come in a range of different materials, resist the urge to use a one-size-fits-all approach.
Whether it’s linen, bamboo, cotton, or features a delicate silk trim “your bedding will last longer and look better” if treated properly.
Sam insists households follow the care label instructions as “they are there to help”.
Washing bedding at too high a temperature
One of the most common mistakes is not washing bedding at the “correct temperature” and instead setting it too high.
While it’s tempting to crank up the heat for items that need a deep clean, washing your bedding a too hot temperature regularly can “damage its natural fibres”.
Sam said: “I recommend a different approach. With the right detergent, you can achieve an effective clean at a mild 30 to 40 degrees, ensuring beautifully clean bedding without compromising its quality.”
Not turning bedding inside out
Help your bedding “stay as beautiful as the day you bought it”, by flipping your sheets and duvet covers inside out before washing them.
Sam claimed that this helps prevent friction from your washing machine’s drum “agitating the fabric” and “fading colours over time,” plus “preventing any snagging”.
Washing small items with your bedding
Keep small items out of the mix when washing your duvet covers as they will find their way to the bottom of your cover, and “not get a proper clean”.
If pillowcases are in the same load, count them when hanging to dry to make sure they don’t get stuck in your duvet cover and “create a damp smell”.
