Washing bed linen - a quick guide
At what temperatures does bed linen really get clean? Is it better to wash bed linen inside out? Do duvet covers have to be washed separately? How to wash bed linen properly seems to be a mystery. However, with our instructions it is quite simple.
Washing bed linen properly - this is how it's done
The care instructions provided by the manufacturer usually tell you what to look out for when washing bed linen. The washing instructions, which are usually sewn into the hem of each piece of linen, contain various symbols for correct washing.
In addition, the same applies to bed linen as to any other item of laundry: wash sorted by colour and material. Regular care of bed linen is important for hygienic reasons, but it also contributes significantly to sleeping comfort.
Washing cotton bed linen
Cotton bed linen not only feels pleasantly soft on the skin and is very breathable, it is also very easy to care for: cotton bed linen is best machine-washed at 40 to 60 °C with colour or heavy-duty detergent. White cotton bed linen can also be washed in a boil wash, i.e. at 95 °C. This only applies to heavily soiled bed linen. However, this is only necessary for heavy soiling. Cotton is also very robust and can therefore be spun on the highest setting.
Washing microfibre bed linen
Coloured and white microfibre bed linen can be washed at 60 °C in the boil wash or coloured wash programme without hesitation. Here, too, colour or heavy-duty detergents are best suited. Do not use fabric softener with microfibre bed linen, as this makes the fabric less breathable.
Washing linen bedding
Linen bed linen is very popular, especially because of its simple elegance. It is best to wash them at a maximum of 40 °C on a special gentle programme for linen. If your washing machine does not have such a programme, you can simply set the speed to the lowest setting. A gentle mild detergent without bleach is also suitable for linen bed linen.
Washing satin bed linen
If you want to wash satin bed linen, please note: With satin bed linen, a distinction is made between cotton satin and synthetic fibre satin. The composition of the material determines how satin bed linen should be washed. Cotton satin can be washed at 40 to 60 °C just like cotton bed linen. Synthetic fibre satin may only be washed at 30 to 40 °C. You should use a mild or heavy-duty detergent.
Is bed linen suitable for tumble drying?
Bed linen made of flannel, cotton satin or cotton can usually be tumble dried. Artificial fibres such as microfibre or fleece, on the other hand, are not suitable for the dryer. To be on the safe side, however, always follow the care instructions on the label. The dryer symbol is a square with a circle in the middle. If this is crossed out, it means that the bed linen must not be tumble dried.
Wash bed linen: How often?
The question of how often bed linen should be washed cannot be answered in a general way. As a rule of thumb, bed linen should be changed every two to four weeks. However, if you sweat a lot at night or eat in bed, you should change your bed more often. Even if pets sleep in the bed with you, more frequent washing may be necessary. Large contaminations, for example from body fluids, should of course be removed quickly. After a cold or other illness, the bed linen should also be changed immediately and washed carefully - if the material allows it, in the boil wash programme or with a special disinfecting detergent.
The bed linen of guest beds should of course be changed immediately after the visitor has left - even if you have only accommodated the overnight guest for one night. Not wanting to wash the used bed linen and offer it to the next visitor is not only unhygienic, but also shows a lack of hospitality.
In addition, the blanket should also be washed at regular intervals.
What else you should pay attention to when washing bed linen
- Close the button strips or zips of the duvet covers before washing so that no other laundry items get caught in them in the machine.
- Expert advice: Wash bed linen inside out! This protects the patterns and colours. In addition, the bed linen can then simply be put over the bedding after drying. So you can cover your bed in a flash.
- Two sides of the same coin: If you want to avoid a musty smell in the bedroom, you should wash your bed linen regularly and spread it out properly when drying. Since conventional clothes racks are too small for this purpose, bed linen that is not suitable for the dryer should be hung on a clothesline.