How often should you wash bed sheets?

Once a week for most sleepers, and every three to four days in hot weather or if you sleep warm.

What temperature should I wash cotton sateen sheets?

Cool to warm water. Hot water shrinks cotton and dulls the sateen finish; warm water with a mild detergent cleans well without harm.

How do I keep white sheets white without bleach?

Wash whites separately, use a mild detergent without over-dosing, add an oxygen-based whitener occasionally, and dry in indirect daylight. Avoid chlorine bleach, which yellows cotton over time.

Why do my sheets pill?

Usually from friction with rougher items in the wash, such as towels or jeans, or from high heat. Wash linen on its own and dry on low.

All guides

Care Guide 14

How to wash and care for luxury cotton sheets

Good sateen gets softer with every wash, provided the water, detergent and dryer are kind to it.

A bed dressed in white Windsor cotton sateen linen with braided embroidery

The short answer

Wash cotton sateen sheets weekly on a gentle or normal cycle in cool to warm water with a mild liquid detergent, separately from towels and items with zippers.

Tumble dry on low and remove promptly while still slightly warm to limit wrinkles, or line dry out of direct sun. Skip bleach and fabric softener.

Step by step

This applies to sheet sets, duvet covers, pillowcases and shams.

1.Wash new linen once before first use
2.Separate linen from towels, jeans and anything with zippers or hooks, which pill and snag sateen
3.Close duvet cover buttons and turn embroidered or bordered pieces inside out
4.Use cool to warm water and a mild liquid detergent, measured lightly
5.Choose a gentle or normal cycle and avoid overloading the drum
6.Tumble dry on low, or line dry out of direct sunlight
7.Remove from the dryer promptly and fold or make the bed while still slightly warm
8.If you prefer a crisp finish, iron on a medium setting while slightly damp, on the reverse of embroidery

What to avoid

These shorten the life of fine cotton more than anything else.

Chlorine bleach, which weakens fibres and yellows white cotton
Fabric softener, which coats the fibres and reduces breathability
Hot water and high heat, which cause shrinkage and dull the sateen sheen
Leaving linen in the dryer, which sets wrinkles

Rotating and storing linen

Keep at least two sets per bed and rotate them so each rests between uses. Store folded in a cool, dry, breathable cupboard, not in plastic, and keep a set together by folding it inside one of its own pillowcases.

Common questions

Answered plainly

How often should you wash bed sheets?: Once a week for most sleepers, and every three to four days in hot weather or if you sleep warm.
What temperature should I wash cotton sateen sheets?: Cool to warm water. Hot water shrinks cotton and dulls the sateen finish; warm water with a mild detergent cleans well without harm.
How do I keep white sheets white without bleach?: Wash whites separately, use a mild detergent without over-dosing, add an oxygen-based whitener occasionally, and dry in indirect daylight. Avoid chlorine bleach, which yellows cotton over time.
Why do my sheets pill?: Usually from friction with rougher items in the wash, such as towels or jeans, or from high heat. Wash linen on its own and dry on low.

Talk to us

Questions about a specific set?

Windsor and Vilanova each have their own finish. Call or text and we will tell you exactly how to treat yours.

Or call and text 908.349.0040

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