How To Wash and Care For Your Bed Linen Sets
Bedding made from linen is a longstanding favourite for most of us! It is undeniably cosy, durable, and feels divine against the skin. Linen is a natural material; a flax-based textile, used in the production of a range of homeware applications. However, linen shouldn’t be confused with cotton as it is made from the stems of the flax plant rather than the bolls that grow around cotton seeds.
Linen is breathable and highly ‘wicking’, which essentially means that it draws moisture, eg., sweat, away from the skin and dries quickly, keeping it drier and more comfortable in the heat. This material is extremely versatile and is used for bedding, clothing, bath items, luggage, and even in the production of wallpaper.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF LINEN
Linen dates back thousands of years. Archaeologists uncovered caves and found dyed flax fibres, which provides evidence that our ancestors utilised wild flax fibres to make fabrics similar to those we have today. Our ancestors used linen fabrics as a symbol of wealth and status. Evidence shows that linen was used in the mummification process in Egyptian society. White linen was also a daily clothing staple worn in Egypt because of the extreme heat. The Egyptians believed that their Gods should wear linen. Linen has also played an important role in other world religions. Evidence shows that the Bible cites that linen was worn by the angels. Greek priests believed that linen only ought to be worn in all their religious ceremonies. Nowadays, linen has become a must-have clothing staple in our commercialised fashion and retail industry, establishing itself as a highly regarded fabric.
HOW IS LINEN MADE?
Technically speaking, linen is a vegetable. Linen fabric is made from cellulose fibres that grow inside the stalks of the flax plant or to give it its Latin name, Linux Usitatissimum. Linen is, in fact, one of the oldest cultivated plants in human history.
Flax, being an annual plant, only lives for one growing season. It takes approximately 100 days from seed to harvest the plant. Flax requires little by way of watering during this time. It has a glassy bluish-green appearance with pale blue flowers. On rare occasions, the flowers bloom red.
Flax is able to grow in various climates, although it seems to prefer cool, damp environments best. It is ready for harvest when the stems begin to turn yellow and the seeds turn brown. The stems of the flax plant are pulled up from the roots. This improves the overall quality of the yield.
After harvesting, flax stalks are stored and dried in open air for weeks before they undergo a process of ‘threshing’ or removal of seeds from the stalk by crushing open the dried seed pods. When the flax fibres are separated to produce ‘stricks’, they undergo hand spun techniques using a ‘distaff’. A distaff is basically a long vertical pole that is attached to a spinning wheel from which the fibres are hung. This helps keep the fibres uniform and prevents them from tangling. Flax fibre is then spun very finely, which results in a thin yarn. The linen yarn is then woven into sheets.
WASHING BED LINEN
A good night’s rest depends on good sleep health! To assist and support this, fresh, clean bedding is a must since germs, sweat, oils, and much more can build up very fast, and this can impact sleep quality. We would, therefore, recommend that your bed linen sets be washed at least once a week to keep them clean and in pristine condition. Below, we have provided a step-by-step guide to show you how to wash your bed linen sets to get optimal results.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
- Laundry detergent
- Stain removal agent
- Drying laundry balls
- Tumble dryer
- Drying rack
STEP ONE:
The first step, and golden rule concerning all matters involving laundry, is to check the care labels of all items before each wash and dry. This is because not all bedding is the same. It can be made from a range of different types of fabrics. Some types may require that you follow specialist instructions to avoid causing any damage. While some allow you to follow regular wash and dry processes.
STEP TWO:
Should your bedding sheet sets have any visible or stubborn stains, we recommend using pre-wash stain removing agents. Always follow both the care label and manufacturer’s instructions before use to ensure that it’s safe for the fabric to be treated. If safe, proceed to pre-treat any visible stains with the stain removing solution. For more stubborn stains, use a small fabric brush to rub in the solution and leave for approximately 10-15 minutes to allow time for the solution to activate.
White sheets may sometimes show as dingy and off-white giving a yellowish appearance over time. This is largely owing to body oils, sweat, and other reasons. To tackle this problem, you can brighten up your white sheets and other items by adding half a cap full of bleach to a regular wash. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions and care labels first before attempting this.
STEP THREE:
When stains have been treated and managed, place bed linen set into the washing machine, but be careful not to overload the drum to avoid tangling. Also, be sure to wash sheets separate to towels and other items to avoid pilling and to minimise excess lint forming on bed linen sheet sets. The detergent can be added manually using a measuring detergent cap, or it can be dispensed through your washing machine via a built-in dispenser unit. Either way, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. For bed linen, we would advise against adding fabric conditioner, softener, or using drying sheets as these may affect the absorbency of natural materials such as cotton or linen.
STEP FOUR:
Bed linen sets need to be washed on the highest temperature possible that is appropriate for the type of fabric to kill bacteria. Cotton, for example, can be washed on hot cycles, but certain fabrics such as silk and satin require a more delicate wash cycle and need special care and attention. This fabric requires the use of a mild and gentle detergent specifically formulated for delicate fabrics, and it needs to be washed preferably in cold water only to avoid any damage occurring. When rinsing, it is important to use a low spin cycle to help preserve and keep delicate fabrics in pristine shape and condition. Polyester blend sheets, on the other hand, can be washed on a warm cycle, whilst flannel sheets can be safely washed in both warm and cold water on a gentle cycle to prevent wear and tear. Linen sheets can also be washed in both warm and cold water, but hot water should be avoided when washing linen to avoid damaging the fibres.
STEP FIVE:
When drying bed linen sets, it’s important to check all the care labels beforehand. Most sheets can withstand the tumble drying process, but low heat should preferably be used and not for too long to avoid causing damage to the fibres. It’s fine to add laundry drying balls to the load to help with the even drying. If you don’t have access to a tumble dryer, most sheets can be dried outdoors on a clothesline or on a clothes drying rack indoors.
STEP SIX:
Following on from the laundry and drying process, it’s important to consider the storage process. Start with neatly folding the sheets, duvet covers, and pillowcases. Stack them onto a shelf, inside a drawer, or in a storage container. Wherever you choose to store your bed linen sets, the golden rule is to ensure the place is cool, dry, and well ventilated to keep the items fresh and clean.
For perfect laundry results every time, why not leave this task to us? Contact us, and your journey with us will begin! Laundry orders are arranged and then collected from your doorstep at a time of your convenience and then returned within a quick turnaround to your doorstep. It couldn’t be simpler!
We are based in Chester-le-Street and reach out to the surrounding areas.
