Washing the sheets is good for your body and mind. In fact, clean sheets allow you to sleep much better and offer an unparalleled feeling. Of course, it is still a domestic matter. Washing the sheets takes time and energy that you could devote to something else. The ideal would be to take care of the washing on a regular basis, but also to make sure that it fits in with your commitments. By taking care of the sheets, you can keep them for a long time.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Wash the Sheets
Step 1. If possible, wash them once a week, maximum every 15 days
To determine how often to do this, consider your lifestyle, your preferences, and where you live.
- If you shower before bed and put on clean pajamas, you don't need to wash them too often.
- If you live in a place that has problems with water distribution, it is best to avoid washing them too often.
- If you have a fairly active sex life, you may want to wash them more often.
- If you sweat a lot at night, you may want to wash them more frequently.
Step 2. Wash the new sheets with baking soda and vinegar
New sheets may have traces of chemicals used during manufacture which can decrease their softness. The detergent will only fix these substances, so the sheets will be a little rough to the touch. To avoid this, wash them with a glass of baking soda. Add a glass of white vinegar when rinsing. After the first wash, you can use regular detergent. Treated with baking soda and vinegar, you can use them without problems for sleep.
Step 3. Remove the sheets from the bed and prepare them for washing
If you have to wash the ones you usually use (so not the new ones), first you have to remove them from the bed. Follow the washing instructions on the label, which has specific directions based on the fabric and brand.
Avoid washing too many sheets together, otherwise they won't sanitize thoroughly. Also, you will weigh down the washing machine motor
Step 4. Put the sheets and pillow cases in the washing machine alone
Other linen items must be washed separately.
- Do not wash them with towels, otherwise they will form spots on the sheets. The friction created by contact with the towels will gradually wear them down.
- Avoid washing them with items of different colors, otherwise you risk alternating the color.
Step 5. Measure the amount of detergent suitable for the washing machine load
Better to use it with caution.
- For a regular load, use 60 milliliters or half a cap of liquid laundry detergent.
- For a load of rather dirty clothes, use 120 milliliters or a full cap of liquid laundry detergent.
- Follow the instructions on the package.
- Don't overdo the detergent. If you want to keep the sheets intact over time, you should avoid any excess, otherwise they will wear out sooner.
Step 6. Choose the right cycle
If the sheets are very dirty, you need to select a different cycle than the one suitable for lightly soiled sheets. If you always select the more aggressive program, the fabric will wear out sooner.
- If the washing machine has a specific cycle for sheets, select it, otherwise use the normal one or for colors.
- If you do a classic wash, use lukewarm water. If the sheets are very dirty, you can use hot water to get rid of more germs.
- Do not use high temperatures regularly. If you want sheets to last a long time, you should generally avoid temperatures that are too high, otherwise they will wear out sooner.
- If you've recently had a cold or the sheets are particularly dirty, select a high temperature.
Step 7. Integrate the wash
You can add commonly used ingredients to eliminate certain odors, accentuate others, and liven up bedding.
- Add a glass of vinegar when rinsing. You will remove traces of detergent from the sheets.
- Add 60 milliliters of lemon juice during the wash cycle to liven up the sheets. Prefer lemon juice to bleach or bleaching agents. This way the sheets can last a little longer.
Method 2 of 3: Wash and Remove Special Bed Sheets
Step 1. Wash the silk and satin sheets
Silk is a delicate fabric, so it requires special care. Use a suitable detergent. Select a delicate and cold washing program, avoid washing silk together with heavier fabrics.
- Put them to dry on the string. If you must use the dryer, set it to a no heat cycle.
- To wash satin sheets, set the washing machine to 40 ° C. You can use fabric softener to keep them soft.
- Avoid using bleach. Frequent use will end up damaging the sheets.
- Put them to dry on the rope or in the dryer.
Step 2. Wash the linen sheets
It is a durable but tough fabric. You should use low temperatures. Prefer natural detergents, using less than usual. For example, if you usually use a glass of product, calculate only ¾. If they are not thoroughly cleaned, you can always repeat the wash later.
Step 3. Eliminate stubborn stains
If they get stained, it is best to fix them immediately. As soon as a stain appears, immediately rinse the affected area with cold water. At this point you can proceed with washing.
- Remove the stain from silk sheets with a specific product.
- Remove blood stains. If your child gets scratched just before going to bed, you will end up with a bloodstain. Eliminate it as soon as possible with cold water.
- If that doesn't work, try shampooing it. Pour a small amount onto the stain, then scrub it vigorously with a brush. Keep doing this until the bulk of the stain is gone. At this point you can rinse the affected area and proceed with washing the sheets.
- Eliminate oil stains. Before washing the sheets, let them soak using a solution consisting of three splashes of dish soap, 60 grams of borax and 80 milliliters of white vinegar. Let them soak for 30 minutes, then select a wash cycle with hot water.
Method 3 of 3: Drying and Preparing the Bed
Step 1. Hang the sheets on a clothesline if it's a sunny day
You will save on energy and electricity.
- Hang white sheets in the sun and colored sheets in the shade.
- Put the clothespins on the corners rather than in the center, that way they won't be damaged by the wind.
- To do this first, put on an apron with pockets to store the clothespins, otherwise use a special basket.
- You can also associate drying on the rope with the dryer. Try letting them dry outside, then put them in the dryer for a couple of minutes. This way you will save on electricity and also get soft sheets.
Step 2. Put them in the dryer
If it's raining or you don't have a clothesline, you can use the dryer, which will soften them nicely.
- Slip a tennis ball into a cotton sock to make sure the sheets dry evenly.
- Try using lavender. Lavender essential oil can help you sleep, it is also a natural repellent for moths and an antibacterial agent. Fill a bottle with water and a few drops of lavender oil. Shake the bottle to mix the ingredients well. Spray the solution on a clean towel and put it in the dryer along with the wet sheets - they will soak up this fragrance.
Step 3. Choose the right setting for your dryer
In general, it is preferable to select a medium or low temperature, in this way the sheets will remain intact for longer. You can also select an automatic setting that will notify you when they are dry.
- Use the setting that alerts you when sheets are slightly damp to avoid over-drying cotton sheets.
- Avoid temperatures that are too high, which will shorten the useful life of the sheets.
Step 4. Spread the sheets on the bed as soon as they come out of the dryer
If you do this while they are warm, they will adapt to the bed. They will also look smooth and ironed, even if you haven't actually used the iron.
Avoid leaving them in the washing machine. This will cause wrinkles to appear, as the centrifuge will knock them into the drum. Instead, move them to the dryer as soon as the wash is finished and lay them out on the bed
Step 5. Make your bed with clean sheets so you can rest better
To begin, stretch the elastic corners of the bottom sheet on the four sides of the mattress. At this point, spread the top sheet over the mattress and tuck the four sides underneath. Finally, spread the bedspread.
Step 6. Store the sheets in a cool, dry place away from sunlight
You can store each set of sheets inside a matching pillowcase. This way the drawers will be tidy.
- Put the bottom and top sheet in a pillowcase. You can also slip another pillowcase into it.
- Store sheets in a separate closet if you have one. You will have more space in the bedroom.
- Store the sheets in the room where they will be used. They will be ready to use when you need them.
Advice
- Do not throw the sheets on the ground: they can attract lint, spiders, fleas and so on.
- If you like soft sheets, use fabric softener or vinegar.
- Turn the mattress over before you spread the sheets, this way it will last you longer.
- Wash your sheets once a week. Doing it more often is a waste of energy and weakens the fibers, while a lower frequency increases the risk of bad smells and dirt.
