How To Get The Most Out Of Your Sheets
How To Keep Your Sheets In Tip-Top Condition.
Bed linen is one of the things in life that we use day in and day out. Here's a simple guide to keeping them in tip-top condition.
STEP 1 - Wash New Sheets Before Use
Washing before use allows natural shrinkage in the fabric to occur. Good quality bed linen, like ours, is sized to take natural shrinkage into account - ensuring a great fit after washing. Before washing, always check the care label to ensure you wash and iron at the right temperature. Also, check instructions for tumble drying and dry cleaning.
STEP 2 - Wash With The Correct Detergent
When washing polycottons or cottons, always use the best detergent for the product you are washing. For colour fabrics, including light colours, use washing gels or detergents formulated for colours. For pure whites, stick to powders.
STEP 3 - Avoid Brighteners
Avoid using optical brighteners, these can lead to colours becoming washed out and can cause stained patches from the bleach contained in the brightener.
STEP 4 - Wash Properly
Wash bedding on its own - do not overload the washing machine to ensure a thorough wash. Avoid excessively high temperature washing or high temperature drying cycles as they can result in fabric distortion and excessive shrinkage. Ironing linen whilst it is still a little damp makes it easier.
STEP 5 - Wash Regularly
Wash bed linen frequently for that hotel feeling when you get into bed. It also helps to avoid discolouration of the fabric. Once a week is about right. Airing your bed every morning will allow the bed to breathe and for any moisture to evaporate. Just leave your duvet folded back to let the air circulate.
STEP 6 - Take Extra Care With Special Fabrics
Belgian / French Linen
When washing French Linen ensure that you do not use any products containing bleach. Bleach destroys linen fibres by weakening them and bleach affects the colour of linen. Always check for bleach or bleaching agents in detergents. Linen's naturally crimp fibres result in a wonderfully relaxed look after washing and drying with little need for ironing. If you prefer a smoother finish, ironing linen whilst it is still a little damp will make it easier to iron.
Looking after Silk
Washing silk requires special care. Always wash silk bedding with a silk-specific detergent. Do not use biological detergents - they contain enzymes that will destroy the silk fibres during the washing process. Avoid using optical brighteners to prevent colours becoming washed out and possible staining from the bleach within them. And only iron silk when completely dry - do not iron when damp, and always use the silk setting on your iron.
