Washing bed sheets might seem like one of the most straightforward household tasks. However, getting it wrong can leave sheets feeling less fresh and less comfortable and shorten their lifespan. This can lead to a poor night's sleep, skin irritation and unwelcome odours.
From using excessive detergent to washing at the wrong temperature, numerous common laundry habits can keep sheets from feeling as fresh as they should. Fortunately, Deyan Dimitrov, CEO of Laundryheap and laundry expert, has revealed five common mistakes to steer clear of.
Only washing sheets when visibly dirty
The expert said: "Unfortunately, people don't wash their sheets as regularly as they let on; some even wash them every four months." "Waiting until your sheets are visibly dirty can allow for germs, sweat and dirt to build up over time, which not only affects the condition of your sheets, but isn't great for health either."
As a general rule, the expert advised washing sheets every fortnight to maintain them in optimal condition.
Not checking the label
Deyan explained: "Whilst this one may seem obvious, people don't check the labels of their sheets and just assume that they require the same cycle as their towels or clothes." This often isn't the case for sheets, as each type of material has different washing requirements.
For example, cotton sheets are best washed at lower temperatures, polyester fabrics can handle warm washes of 40C, whereas delicate fabrics like silk or stain should be washed in cold water up to 30C. "It's also worth noting that if you've been sick, a one-off hot wash at 60°C once you're feeling better can kill off any leftover germs on your sheets."
It's also important to remember that certain fabrics should never be ironed or placed in the tumble dryer, and all this information can be found on the care label. Deyan added: "If you follow the instructions, you'll wash your bedsheets as efficiently and keep them crisp and clean."
Overdrying bedding
While it's ideal to put fresh sheets straight out of the tumble dryer, leaving them in the appliance for too long can unfortunately cause them to shrink. To prevent this, the laundry expert recommended air-drying them naturally on a washing line or rack, ideally outside for "better results".
Washing them with clothes and towels
The expert said: "You may think that chucking your sheets into your washing machine with a few towels or thick clothes might not make much of a difference, but it does in the long run." Every material has a different washing process and needs enough room to circulate and rinse properly.
Adding different fabrics into this cycle can create added friction, wearing down your sheets or causing bobbling. "Equally, zippers or buttons could get snagged and cause tearing. It's best to run cycles specifically for your sheets to give them enough time to be washed properly."
Adding too much detergent
One of the biggest laundry blunders you can make is using too much detergent. Not only can this cause fibres to deteriorate, but it can also lead to holes and tears in your bedding. Deyan advised using two tablespoons of standard detergent for a full drum, or a single all-in-one laundry pod.
He said: "This will reduce wear and tear over time, leaving you with clean sheets for longer."
