So you have bought a new bed sheet for your bedding. As you took it out of the wrapper, you felt its crispness, which is a sign that it's a completely new bed sheet ready to be used by you.
As soon as you unwrap them, you want to put them on your bed and start using them. This is so common that people don’t even think about washing them first before putting them on their bed.
In truth, new bed sheets do look super crisp, fresh, and clean as you take them out of the package. Well, it is all because of chemicals and starch that are applied during the manufacturing process. But you have to keep in mind that the chemicals and starch used by manufacturers are not good for your health and for your skin. As a result, you need to wash it up before its use.
Today, with this blog, we are going to provide the science behind washing new sheets. We will discuss topics like why washing new sheets is necessary, how you should wash your sheets for the first time, and additional tips for maintaining your bedding so it remains clean for a much longer duration. So, let’s begin!
Why Is Washing New Sheets Necessary?
In no circumstance should you sleep on a new bed sheet before you get it washed? According to hygiene experts, when bed sheets are placed in a factory or even in a shop, they tend to accumulate lots of dust and other forms of bacteria that are airborne.
In addition to this, there’s a lot of residue left on your new bed sheets because of the different manufacturing and packaging processes that the brand follows. These allergens will cause skin irritation, and you should avoid them at all costs if you want to keep health concerns at bay. All of this results in washing your new bed sheets, which is certainly an important task after the purchase.
Lastly, with initial washing, you will also get to see a clear picture of what you have brought. You can see if its color gets faded or does it has any flaws in terms of stitching or other forms of manufacturing defects.
How to Wash New Sheets for the First Time?
In an ideal situation, you should be washing all different newly purchased parts of your bedding, be it pillow covers, bed sheets, quilts, and even blankets as well. All of this material comes in direct contact with your skin when you sleep or rest on your bed.
Now, if you are wondering how to wash new sheets properly, then we have got you covered. But first it is better to check out the label which comes with the bed sheet. Follow our step-by-step washing instructions for new sheets:
Step 1: Check The Care Label
One of the first things you need to do when it comes to cleaning your new linens is to check their label. See, every sheet comes with its own care label, which is usually present alongside the seam, or you can also find it in the packaging.
This particular label has all the washing instructions for your new sheets. Here, you will find information such as washing, drying, and ironing instructions. When you are following the new sheet care guide, you are making sure that the sheet will be properly cleaned and, at the same time, it will have a much longer lifespan.
Step 2: Treat All Stains Prior To Washing
Your new bed sheet may look pretty clean, but if you look closely you are surely going to see some stains that come from the manufacturing process. As a result, before your new sheet is in the washing, make sure to check all the corners and sides of your sheet to see if it does have any kind of stains.
Use gentle stain remover or a touch of detergent to completely remove them for good. You have to apply stain remover gently on the area that is affected by the stain, then rub it. Once this is done, leave your bed sheet for around 30 minutes and then put it in the washing machine.
Step 3: Load Your Sheets And Add Detergent
When it is time to load your sheet in the washing you need to make sure that your machine is not overloaded. The best way to clean off your sheets is by washing them one at a time; this is because sheets tend to take up a lot of space to move around when they are inside the washing machine.
Also, don’t put in any other clothes when you are cleaning your bed sheet for the first time, as it will make your new sheets thoroughly clean. Check the label to find out the required amount of mild detergent. Don’t go with any harsh chemicals which could result in the weakening of the fabric.
Step 4: Select The Right Washing Cycle And Settings
It is important that you choose the right washing cycle for your bed sheets. Different fabrics require different settings and care.
Here, we have mentioned recommended settings for all the fabrics that you can find in bed sheets.
Cotton: For this fabric you have to choose a warm water setting along with a gentle or normal cycle of your washing machine.
Linen: It is best to go with a cold water setting with the addition of a gentle cycle.
Satin & Silk: Both of these require cold water and a delicate cycle for the best results.
Polyester Blend: Use warm water and a normal cycle does work like magic.
Flannel: Cold water plus gentle cycle.
Bamboo: Again, cold water with a gentle cycle to maintain softness.
Step 5: Drying Up Your New Sheets
After you are done with the washing, it is time to dry your sheets. For most people, this particular step isn’t that important, but if you don’t do it properly, it can cause wrinkles in your new sheet.
The best way to dry your sheets is by hanging them properly in a well-ventilated area or under direct sunlight, which works as a natural disinfectant and gives your new bed sheet a clean outdoor scent.
Besides this, if you are using a dryer, then go with the lowest heat setting to prevent any form of shrinkage and even fabric damage.
Step 6: Folding & Storing Your New Sheets
This is the last step of the washing guide; here, if you choose not to put your new sheet on the bed, you need to learn how to store it properly so when you take it out for use, it will be in perfect condition.
It is required that you store your sheets in a cool and dry place that is away from direct sunlight. This will help you maintain the color and quality of the fabric. Besides this, it is also a good practice to alternate between different sets of sheets to have even wear with time.
Additional Tips for Bedding Maintenance
Here are some additional tips that you need to know about in order to maintain your bedding and make it last long:
Wash Your Bedding Materials Once A Week
Your bed sheets, along with pillow covers and blankets, have to be washed at least once a week if you are using them in your bedroom. You can’t see small organisms, but your bed linen attracts lots of microbes and germs; it also has pests like dead ants, which you cannot see if the bed sheet is dark in color.
Furthermore, every time you go to sleep, these linens absorb your sweat and body oil. And if you eat on your bed, there’s going to be lots of food crumbs or beverage spills here and there. As a result, washing becomes necessary, and that too once a week to keep your bedding in good condition and provide you with an ample amount of comfort.
Avoid Eating Meals On Your Bed
It is best to avoid eating meals on your bed; as we said before, when you eat, you also make your bed sheet and eat some part of the meal that you have bought over. This results in bad stains that could easily spoil the softness of your bed sheet.
Do Not Dry Clean Your Bedding Too Often
It is a myth that dry cleaning your bed sheets and other bedding materials will make them free from infection and any form of contamination. Truth is, the process of dry cleaning compromises the features and integrity of the fabric making its colour too dull away.
Understand this: cotton bedding does not require dry cleaning at all. You can clean them by putting them in your washing machine with the right detergent, and it comes out as brand new. Likewise, if you want to disinfect your bedding material, use an antibacterial wash to kill all lurking bacteria and germs.
Never Use Hot Water For Cleaning
Hot water may kill all the germs that are lurking in your bedding and clothing, but in addition to killing all the germs, it also causes the fabric to lose its original shape, and it will also start pilling. With regular washing of bed sheets in hot water, you will be making your bed linen become loose and saggy.
Conclusion
So now we hope that you have understood the importance of washing up your new bed sheets. That said, the lifespan of a sheet varies based on the quality of the material used in its manufacturing and how you maintained it over the course of its usage.
In general, you should replace your bed sheets every 2 years if you are using them regularly. Before we go, we would like you to rotate your sheets often to boost their lifespan and follow the manufacturer’s washing and drying instructions.
People are also reading:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it necessary to wash new sheets before using them?
Washing new bed sheets before use is important; a new sheet might appear crisp, clean, and ready to be slept on. However, it is produced in a factory, and as a result, it would be a great idea to wash it before you sleep on it.
What happens if you don't wash new sheets?
If you do not wash new sheets, you will start feeling itchy; new sheets have the potential to harbor residues from the manufacturing and packaging process, like dust, chemicals, dirt, and others. All of these can harm your skin, and that’s why washing your new sheets is considered to be a good practice.
Can washing new sheets affect their softness?
Yes, before the wash, your sheets will look and feel stiffer, which is true because they go through a strict packaging process where your sheets are dipped in a chemical container so they can last longer. When you wash them up, all the chemicals and other residue simply clean off your sheet.
Are there specific detergents recommended for new sheets?
It would be better if you go with a mild detergent as it is a concentrated liquid detergent that cleans effectively while making sure that the fabric of new sheets remains at its best.
How can you remove chemical smells from new sheets?
If you can feel a chemical smell coming from the new sheets, you can wash them up using vinegar. For the smell to go away, you can put one cup of vinegar in a tub, then put your sheets in it and leave it for 30 minutes. After that, take out the sheet and put it in a machine with detergent. After the washing is complete, you will no longer be able to smell a bad odor.
Should new silk or satin sheets be washed differently?
It is required that silk has to be washed separately using a delicate cycle or silk cycle. In addition to this, you should launder it separately in a silk-only load. On the other hand, satin sheets also require the same setting as silk, but it is required that you wash both of these sheets separately.
What is the best way to dry new sheets after washing?
When it comes to washing instructions for new sheets a lot of people forget about asking for the right way to dry new sheets. For this process you have to carefully squeeze all the water out from the sheet and then hang it up so it can dry out properly.
Besides this, if you are using a dryer, set it on the lowest setting and make sure you fold the new sheets as soon as they are dried out. This will prevent the formation of wrinkles in your new sheet.