Richard Edwards, owner of White House Hideaway – a luxury cabin retreat in Herefordshire – said: “In the hospitality business, white sheets are our calling card. Guests notice immediately if bedding looks anything less than pristine.
“So we’ve learned the professional tricks that keep whites looking fresh and bright, wash after wash.” One laundry hack you may turn to could, in fact, be one of the worst things to do – using bleach. Mr Edwards explained: “[It’s] actually one of the worst things you can do.”
He said: “Bleach breaks down the fibres over time and can actually make whites look duller.”
Another common mishap is washing the sheets at the wrong temperature; too hot and it can set stains and “cause yellowing”.
If the water is too cold, then it “won’t activate your detergent properly”, so what temperature should you wash white bed sheets in?
“We always use warm water – around 40C,” said Mr Edwards, adding that powder detergent is best to “maintain that crisp white appearance”.
While Mr Edwards frowns upon the use of chlorine bleach, it seems oxygen bleach is another matter.
“We add oxygen bleach to every wash – it’s much kinder to the fabric but still provides that whitening boost,” said Mr Edwards.
What is oxygen bleach?
Also known as sodium percarbonate, it’s a cleaning agent and stain remover that releases oxygen when dissolved in water.
How does oxygen bleach work?
Oxygen bleach works by releasing oxygen molecules that break down stains and brighten whites without the harsh chemical effects of traditional bleach.
One final tip
When it comes to putting bed sheets in the wash, it’s advised not to overload the washing machine.
“Sheets need room to move around in the water,” said Mr Edwards. “When they’re packed too tightly, the detergent can’t circulate properly, and you end up with uneven cleaning.”
If available, drying bed sheet outside is also the best drying method; if you’re using a tumble dryer, remove the sheets when still slightly damp and line-dry them.
