laundry day

Welcome to All in the Detail... I am so glad you are here!

 

  So, do you think that washing your sheets in hot water is all there is to doing the laundry?

Well, there's more to linen care than what water temperature to use.

Here are some of the most commonly asked linen laundry questions and the answers.

QUESTION: How often should I wash my sheets?

Professionals say that for sheets that are used on a daily basis, wash them once every two weeks. Ideally, they suggest that it’s best to have two sets that you can rotate each week to preserve the life of your linens.

QUESTION: Are there different care methods for different thread counts?

Should all sheets (high quality and not-so-high quality) be washed on the same water temperature? Thread count is not an indicator for care, just a number. Professionals say that sheets should all be washed on a cool setting. Always remember to wash sheets with sheets and towels with towels. Never wash them with anything else. Buttons, zippers, and other types of fabrics can damage the fibers of your sheets.

QUESTION: Should I bleach my sheets?

Now that we know you should never wash sheets in hot water, is using bleach a good idea for restoring whiteness? No. Chlorine bleach weakens the fibers and will cause the fabric to break down much quicker. You could add Oxi-Clean to loads with towels and white sheets. Any oxygen-based cleaner is much safer and friendlier for your fabrics than bleach.

QUESTION: Which dryer temperature and settings should I use for drying sheets or is air-drying a better option?

If you are going to dry your sheets, you should always dry them on the lowest setting. High heat can damage the fibers and cause the sheets to become crisp (in other words…not soft). Air-drying is not bad by any means, if you have the time.

QUESTION: Should I iron and starch my sheets?

All sheets can be ironed, but starch isn’t necessary. If you decide to iron your sheets, press while they are still slightly damp with the iron set to a lower heat setting. If needed, use a spray bottle with water or a scented linen spray to make them slightly damp. This will make ironing much easier. Keep in mind that the fewer products you use on your sheets the better.

QUESTION: Should I wash and dry my own duvet or leave it to the dry cleaners?

The care of your bed linens depends on the type of fiber used for your duvet. Always follow the care instruction label on your bedding. Some duvets should never be dry cleaned. Likewise, don’t wash a duvet or coverlet that requires dry cleaning. The duvet can shrink and the fabric will never look the same.

QUESTION: Do you have any suggestions on which laundry products to use?

To prolong the life of your linens, always read their care label. When washing your linens at home, be sure to use detergents without harsh chemicals, bleach, or perfumes.

There… so you thought that washing your sheets in hot water was doing enough? As you can see, there's more to linen care than what water temperature to use.