Here at Empress Quilts and textiles, we provide very high quality beddings to our customers and we believe proper bedding maintenance will increase the longevity of your linens. Thus we provide you with this guide to help answer frequently asked questions on bedding like how to store them or how frequently to wash:
Washing Frequency
Mattress pads, pillows, duvet should be washed every three to six months. Mattress topers should be taken to the dry cleaner every six months.
Duvet covers, sheets, pillow case should be washed more often (seven to ten days) while decorative covers like Euro shams, trolls or cashmere could be washed every three months.
Washing and Drying
For linen sheets, feel the washer with warm water or use cool water for parcel and sateen sheets. Add liquid Laundry detergent slightly less than the manufacturer calls for. Then allow the soap to dissolve after which you load your beddings into the washing machine. Non Chlorine bleach is the recommended bleach for beddings in case you do use bleaches. You can only wash similar items together. (same fabric same color). Never add clothing to bedding because hooks, zippers etc. cause abrasion and pealing.
To maintain the quality of your beddings, avoid harsh powdered and liquid detergents, dryer sheets and fabric softeners because these weaken or coat the natural fibres . Keep also your beddings away from personal care products and house hold cleaners that contain peroxide or benzoyl to prevent de coloration.
DRY; half load the washing machine to prevent twisted bedding, thus allowing the fabric to fluff up. Overheating causes brittle and the fibres to fade so set the dryer to low heat . Add wool dryer balls to soften your bedding. Pull them out just before they get dry if applying directly to the bed after laundering. Almost damp sheets will prevent wrinkles and no ironing is needed.
Folding and Storage
It is a good idea to have a couple sets of sheets per bed for convenience and in case of accidents. To store extra linens, chose a closet or trunk that is dry and cool and avoid direct sun light-(can cause permanent yellowing) natural fibres need air to breathe! Don’t store your beddings in plastic containers as it will result to mildew due to trapped moisture.
Make sure linen is completely dry before folding to keep. A cotton bedding bag is perfect for extra duvet, sheets should be stored in their own fabric as well. Our beddings are made of high quality fibres and should be stored cool and fresh.
Replacement
Frequent washing breaks down even premium quality bedding. Replace your duvet covers and sheets when you see signs of fraying herms or aging like stains. Its best advised you replace pillow cases every six months because oil from your skin and hair, moisturizers, makeups etc. transfer to the fabric while you sleep. Pillows should be replaced when after fluffing they no longer look evenly filled(note: if waking up with back or neck pain, you might have chosen the wrong pillow for your preferred position) your duvets should be replaced when they start looking limp.
