Look, we know it’s no one’s favourite thing to do. While we all love the feeling of fresh sheets at the end of a long day, washing them is a whole other ballgame.
Here’s the thing: depending on how often you wash your sheets, you could (and tbh, probably are) leaping into a cesspool of dead skin, mites that love to feast on said skin cells, fungus, and—believe it or not—fecal matter. Not to mention if you’ve never hopped in bed while wearing your “outside clothes,” had a sneaky late-night snack, or snuggled up for sweaty nap post workout. This collection of day-to-day germs and tiny critters can up your chances of infection, especially if you’re dealing with pre-existing skin conditions, and even affect your breathing.
Cleaning your bedding regularly plays a major role in routine hygiene practices that will benefit your health. So to find out more, we spoke to founder of Bed Threads Genevieve Rosen-Biller, about how often we should be doing it.
How often should sheets be washed?
Ideally you should be washing your sheets once a week. This is to detox them of the fungi, bacteria, skin cells and sweat that can accumulate in the fibres.
Does it differ for different materials?
Sheets that are made from natural fibres are breathable so will need to be washed less frequently than synthetic or synthetic blend materials. This is because all natural fibres tend to be moisture-wicking, light and cooling, so you don’t overheat. Bed Threads are created exclusively from pure 100% French flax linen which needs to be laundered once a week, and can hold up to 20 times their weight in water, so you can say farewell to sweaty, sleepless night; and hello to lighter, more breathable bedding.
What about pyjamas?
As a general rule, I recommend washing once per use. You can stretch it to every 3-4 wears, though it depends on the individual. If you are a hot sleeper or exclusively shower in the morning, you really should be washing your pyjamas as they’re used. Same goes if you like to change into your pyjamas as soon as you get home in the evening or stay in them all morning on the weekends. If you’re not a sweaty sleeper, are showering right before you pop them on and only wear them to actually sleep in then you can launder less frequently. Fabric is a factor as well – if your sleepwear is made from a natural, breathable fabric such as 100% linen, then you will get away with washing it less frequently than synthetic materials, as you will sweat less.
What’s the best way to care for your sheets?
The best way to care for your sheets is to wash them on a gentle, cool cycle with a mild, eco-friendly detergent, then air dry them on the line in the sun to kill any germs. When they’re not on your bed, store them in a cool, dry and well-ventilated place and avoid plastic containers which can trap moisture and breed mildew.
How can we find the best sheet fabric for us?
Things to think about when deciding on the best sheet fabric for you include breathability, comfort, maintenance and environmental impact. I don’t think I’m biased when I say that the 100% French flax linen that Bed Threads uses is the best manchester option on the market. It’s a natural temperature regulator – which means you’ll stay cool in the heat and toasty when it’s cold – and has a higher moisture absorbency than cotton and silk combined. It softens and becomes more comfortable with every wash, is stronger and more durable than other fabrics, is anti-static, hypoallergenic and anti-bacterial. Flax linen is also the eco-friendly choice – the plant derived material uses less water and pesticide than other fabrics and is fully biodegradable.
What about ironing your sheets?
Whether or not you want to iron your sheets comes down to personal preference. If you hate ironing then linen sheets are for you because the natural relaxed creases are part of their charm. If you prefer your sheets wrinkle-free then iron while they’re still damp as once they’re dry the creases are much more stubborn and difficult to remove.
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