At one point in time, you may have thought to yourself, “Am I washing my sheets enough? Am I washing them too much? What should I be washing my bedding with?” Or maybe you’ve woken up to itchy skin or a rash and you’ve searched your bedding high and low thinking a bug bit you during the night. Whatever experience you’ve had when it comes to properly washing your bedding, we at CLEAN PEOPLE are going to guide you through the answers to the why, when, and how!
Why is it important to wash your bedding properly?
Did you know that your skin is the largest organ in your body? It is the body’s first line of defense to harmful toxins in the air! Each night when you are asleep, your skin cells regenerate and repair themselves from the damages and toxins it was exposed to during the day.
Our skin is also quite porous (in case you haven’t noticed that pesky sweat in the summer); therefore, whatever comes in contact with our skin can be easily absorbed into our bloodstream. Common items that come in contact with our skin include lotion, body wash, and you called it – fabrics! We often don’t think of our laundry detergent as a culprit for toxic substances being absorbed by our skin, but it is!
The laundry detergent that you use and the method you go about washing your bedding could be the cause of major skin irritations like contact dermatitis. Chemicals such as parabens, dyes, and preservatives are unnatural toxins that our skin cannot process leading to red, itchy, and scaly rashes all over our bodies.
Because your skin is in the process of renewal and healing at night, it can potentially be even more vulnerable to side effects of toxic laundry detergent. This is why we recommend washing your bedding with safe ingredients found in our Laundry Products! By washing your bedding with clean ingredients (no pun intended!), you could be saving your skin and overall health some major trouble!
When should you wash your bedding?
Now that we have covered the why of washing your bedding, we are going to discuss the when of washing your bedding. At one point in your adulthood, you may have had a conversation with a friend or family member about when they typically strip their beds and wash their sheets, quilts, and comforters. Truthfully, most people differ in their opinions of how often to wash their bedding! Some say that they shower at night so they are clean; therefore, they only wash their bedding once a month, while others wash their bedding on the same day every week because they like to have a certain cleaning routine to ensure that it is always clean.
So, which person is right in these scenarios? Most studies recommend washing your sheets at least once a week, if not more, depending on the humidity of the environment you live in. Even if you bathe every night, skin cells, oils, and bodily fluids tend to build-up, attracting critters like bed bugs, fleas, and other unappealing mites! If you have pets who like to lounge on your bed with you, you may consider washing your bedding more often to avoid extra dirt, dander, and hair build-up.
To cut down on the frequency of washing, try bathing before bedtime if you don’t already do so. Also make it a habit to not sit or lay on your bed after working out, being outside, or participating in other vigorous activities.
**One important thing to remember is to always check the washing instructions when you purchase bedding. Some bedding can only be dry-cleaned which means you will not be able to wash it as much, resulting in dirtier bedding in between washes!
How should you wash your bedding?
Lastly, and arguably most important, is the process by which you wash your bedding. Most people enjoy the resulting effect of washing their bedding. After doing so, you get to enjoy a warm, soft, and cozy bed! There’s just something about fresh, crisp bedding that just seems to help you sleep better at night, and by following these simple steps you can rest assured that your sheets are clean from dirt, and also from toxic materials!
- Separate bedding and sheets from other fabrics.
While it can be tempting to want to mix loads to save time, it is not best to wash sheets with your other clothing or towels. This has several advantages. First, it gives the sheets more room to circulate in the water, which allows them to get cleaner. When items are washed together, they can become tangled, which reduces the effectiveness of the washing process. By washing sheets on their own, they have more space to move around and get thoroughly clean. Washing bedsheets alone also prevents damage caused by zippers and other fasteners. These items can catch on the sheets during the washing process and cause tears or other damage. By washing sheets separately, you reduce the risk of this happening and prolong the life of your bedding. In addition, washing sheets on their own reduces the amount of pilling that can happen over time. Pilling occurs when the fibers in the fabric rub together and create small balls or bumps on the surface. This can happen more frequently when items are washed together, as the friction between different fabrics can cause more wear and tear. By washing sheets alone, you minimize the risk of pilling and keep your bedding looking and feeling like new for longer. - Ditch the bleach and opt for a safer stain-remover before washing.
Not only is bleach extremely toxic for the environment, it can be quite irritating for the skin and respiratory system. If you have small children in the house, it’s best to ditch the bleach anyway to avoid any harmful accidents! Instead, treat stains before hand with our Stain Spray or you can add our Oxygen Brightener to the wash cycle to brighten up your white bedding.
- Use Clean People Laundry Detergent Sheets or Clean People Laundry Detergent Pods in a warm, delicate cycle, and remove immediately as the cycle ends to avoid wrinkles.
To get the best results when washing sheets, use a gentle detergent and choose a cycle that is appropriate for the fabric. If your sheets are made of delicate materials, such as silk or linen, opt for a delicate or hand-wash cycle. Be sure to check the care label on your sheets to determine the appropriate temperature and cycle length for washing. And always separate sheets by color to prevent bleeding or fading. - This may seem like an ancient practice, but if you can hang your bedding outside to dry in the bright sunlight, your bedding will thank you as this will increase the lifespan of your sheets!
Tumbling around in a dryer all the time can increase pilling and damage to your sheets; therefore, less is more in this case. If there’s no way around using a dryer, then opt for our Wool Dryer Balls or Fabric Softening Dryer Sheets to create super soft, static-free sheets ready for a good night’s sleep! - Enjoy a restful night’s sleep knowing your skin and sheets are free from toxic ingredients and your bedding is clean and free of dirt and other unwanted materials!
**Pro-tip #1: add ¼ c. of vinegar to the softener dispenser in your washing machine to increase disinfecting power after illness or allergy season, and to increase the softening power of your detergent!**Pro-tip #2: Add 2-3 drops of lemon or lavender essential oil to your Wool Dryer Balls to add a subtle scent to fabrics without the toxic fragrance ingredients most detergents have! By following these tips and washing your sheets separately, you can keep them looking and feeling their best for years to come.
Happy laundering!
