Washing bed linen: how to preserve properties and color for a long time

Buying new bedding brings joy and makes you think about it, how to properly wash bed linen. Do you want your favorite sheets, duvet covers, and pillowcases to look like new not only after unpacking but also after the fifth, tenth, hundredth wash? In this article, we have gathered rules, recommendations and tips, that will help protect home textiles from fading, stretching, and pilling. Let's talk about Leglo cotton and muslin sets, as well as other popular fabrics. 

General recommendations how to wash bed linen 

We have already written about whether bed linen should be washed before first use and how to do it properly. What else should be considered:

• look for washing recommendations for the specific set on the product label or the manufacturer's website, you can never go wrong;
• before putting your favorite set into the washing machine drum, turn the bed linen inside out and fasten all buttons — this will protect the fabric from tears and prevent dust from getting into the corners;
• if there are stains on the bed linen, use a stain remover, follow the care instructions;
• do not overload the machine — the fewer items in the drum, the better the effect;
• bed linen should be washed separately, not together with socks or outerwear;
• if you do wash with something, natural fabrics only with natural fabrics, synthetic items are washed separately;
• bed linen is loaded into the washing machine by color: white, black, and other shades should not be mixed.

These are basic tips how to wash bed linen. Let's move on to the details. 

Washing mode and frequency: whwhat temperature is best for washing bed linen 

If we are talking about Leglo sets, both boiled cotton and muslin should be washed in the “delicate wash” or “hand wash” mode, temperature 30°-40°. Ironing is not necessary. It is quite likely that sets from other manufacturers are washed on different programs, so always check the label. 

Usually the answer to the question, whhow to wash bed linen next:

• cotton sets — temperature no higher than 40°, spin speed up to 700, natural drying but not under direct sunlight, ironing — 150°;
• bed linen made of satin — water up to 40°, spin speed up to 600 or on delicate mode, natural drying but not under direct sunlight, ironing — 200°;
• muslin withstands up to 40°, without adding conditioners or bleaches, drying and ironing like cotton;
• linen is washed at a temperature — 30-40°, drying and ironing are similar to satin.  

As you can see, land at what temperature to wash bed linen, depends on the fabric. If you don't know exactly what set you have, the label is lost, so you are unsure, choose delicate washing. When there are no heavy stains, you won't go wrong.

Leglo sets withstand 300+ wash cycles. Follow the recommendations and your favorite sets will delight you like new for several years.

Next to with the question, at what temperature to wash bed linen, housewives are also interested in how often this should be done. There is an article on the Leglo blog How many times a month to change bed linen with detailed recommendations for sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers, and blankets. So we just remind you: the washing frequency is determined individually and depends on many factors. In summer, bedding needs to be washed every five days to a week, less often in winter. If a person sweats heavily, is prone to allergies, or pets sleep on the bed, it should be done more often. 

Which products to use for washing bed linen 

It is important not only how often and on what mode to wash the bedding, but also what products to use for this. How to properly wash bed linen? We recommend:

• for white sets, choose a detergent with an oxygen bleach ("active oxygen"), it is the safest;
• if you plan to wash colored bedding, use a detergent with the appropriate label — it contains components that preserve color saturation;
• wash dark sets with detergent for black clothes; they do not leave soap stains on the fabric;
• children's bedding should be washed separately from other items, and the powder or gel should have the appropriate label.

If you strive for eco-friendliness, wash items with phosphate-free detergents. They are gentle and effective. Manufacturers assure that running the washing machine is not necessary; soaking the bedding for 8 hours and then rinsing is enough — there will be no dirt.

If you want to preserve the fabric's properties as long as possible, do not use bleaches or conditioners. They contain aggressive components that negatively affect even the strongest fabric. 

Proper drying and storage are the key to the good appearance of bed linen sets 

The question of how how to properly wash bed linen inextricably linked with another — how to dry it? After all, most recommendations for choosing a washing mode indicate "natural drying." What does this mean? You need to remove the bed linen from the washing machine immediately after washing is complete, otherwise the fabric oxidizes and loses its attractive appearance. 

For drying, use a regular clothesline or dryer rack. They should be placed in a location protected from direct sunlight. This will help preserve the brightness of the colors. If this is not possible or you want to use a tumble dryer, avoid high temperatures. 

Store clean sets in special laundry bags made of natural fabric. Plastic bags are not suitable because the material does not allow air to pass through. Place sets you are not using in a wardrobe or dresser, not in a sofa or under the bed — fabrics need to be well ventilated.

So, what do we have in summary? The frequency of washing, the detergent, the mode, and the temperature all matter. Modern washing machines allow you to easily maintain the cleanliness of bedding, just set the correct settings. A reputable manufacturer always provides recommendations on how to properly wash bed linen. Follow them, and your sets will look like new for a very long time.