How to Wash Bed Sheets
Clean sheets are a key part of getting a good night’s sleep—but how do you care for them properly? With different fabrics, weaves, and styles there are lots of possibilities when it comes to washing bedding. Use this guide to learn how to wash, dry, and store your sheets—including specific care instructions for different sheet fabrics.
Always wash new sheets before use, and change your sheets weekly—fresh, clean bedding can help you drift off to sleep easier. We recommend having three sets of sheets per bed: one for the bed, one for the wash, and one for the linen closet. This means you can rotate your sheets to reduce wear and tear and you’ll always have a fresh set of sheets to put on the bed on laundry day. These step-by-step instructions walk you through sheet care, including washing machine instructions, how to dry your sheets, and tips to extend the life of your bedding.
How to Wash Bed Sheets in the Washing Machine
Washing sheets can be confusing so let us help. It’s hard to know what cycles to use and when, or which cleaners and additives are best. For best results always refer to your sheet’s tag for care instructions and try these simple techniques when washing your sheets.
Don't Overcrowd the Washer: Overcrowding can cause wrinkles and pilling, so wash each set of sheets individually and avoid combining your sheets with other laundry like towels.
Pre-Treat Stains: Spot-clean, pre-soak, and use an oxygenated stain remover to pre-treat as necessary before putting your sheets in the washing machine.
Choose the Right Temperature: Choose the right temperature: Always check your sheet’s care label for specific instructions—but usually, you’ll machine wash in cold water on a gentle cycle. Always avoid hot temperatures, which can contribute to wrinkles and shrinkage, weaken fibers, and fade colors.
Use the Right Laundry Enhancers: Use non-chlorine bleach when needed to get white sheets white again, but avoid traditional fabric softeners as they can weaken the fibers. The good news is that our sheets are already crafted for softness, so you shouldn’t need fabric softener at all.
End of Cycle: When the washing machine cycle is complete, untangle the sheets and swap the load to the dryer right away to help prevent wrinkles.
PRO TIP: Check out our spring cleaning guide for more information on sheet rotation and other tips for tidying up.
