I’ve never needed a lot of sleep, and typically only get around 6-7 hours per night. But over the past few years, I’ve realized that the quality of those hours has started to count for more and more!
In order to try and make the most of the sleep that I’m getting, I’ve started investing in higher quality bedding that keeps me cool and comfortable at night. But while my bamboo sheets, knee pillow, and other bedding items weren’t necessarily cheap, I’ve committed to learning exactly how to take care of bedding items to make sure they last as long as possible.
Related: How to Wash & Care For An Electric Blanket
And what I’ve discovered is that there are all sorts of mistakes we often make when cleaning and caring for our bedding that can cause premature wear and tear, or worse! So if you’re hoping to protect your investment in your bedding like I am, start by avoiding these 7 bad habits!
7 Habits That Can Ruin Your Bedding
1. Twisting And Tangling In The Dryer
Not only is it annoying when your sheets have turn into a tangled wet mess in your dryer, it also puts a lot of unnecessary stress on your sheets! Add a few dryer balls to your dryer along with your sheets to prevent twisting and tangling.
2. Overfilling Your Washer And Dryer
If your sheets come out of the washing machine with detergent residue on them, or if they come out of the dryer still wet in places, these may be signs that you’re overfilling your machines.
To protect your sheets and bedding and avoid these issues, separate them out into smaller loads rather than trying to wash and dry them all at once.
3. Washing Sheets And Towels Together
Saving a bit of time by washing your bed sheets and towels in the same load isn’t worth the wear and tear it puts on on your sheets! The friction of the towels rubbing against the sheets can quickly wear them out.
The easiest way to avoid this premature wear is just to wash your sheets separately!
4. Death By Detergent
There are a couple of ways that detergent can ruin your bedding: when there’s too much of it, or it’s too harsh for the fabric. Avoid detergent overdose by only using the recommended amount for your type of washing machine.
Using a gentle detergent can help your sheets last longer too. Homemade laundry detergent is a great option, or pick a store-bought detergent that says it’s safe for sensitive skin.
5. Not Using Protectors
Protecting your mattresses and pillows is as simple as enclosing them in protective, machine-washable covers! These provide protection from sweat, allergens, dust mites, and even bed bugs that can ruin your bedding. If you haven’t used a protective cover on your mattress before you should probably clean it first. Here is how to clean your mattress.
Related: How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs
6. Making Your Bed Right Away
Making your bed is a good habit to have, but it’s actually better to wait a while to do it! If you make your bed right after waking up, you’re insulating the warm, moist environment that dust mites can thrive in.
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Leaving your bed unmade for a little while gives your bedding time to air out. Air and light will help keep your bed cool, dry, and mite-free!
7. Over-Drying Your Sheets
While you don’t want to put sopping wet sheets on your bed, it’s not good for them to get too dry. Too much heat can cause the elastic in your fitted sheet to dry out and break down.
Instead, tumble-dry your sheets until they are almost dry, then put them on your bed. Let them air dry completely before re-making your bed. (As a bonus, this process makes for wrinkle-free sheets too!)
What one thing has improved your sleep quality the most?
#1 does not work, no matter how many dryer balls you put with the sheets. The best–and unfortunately time consuming way to solve this–is to dry each sheet separately. Even then, there’s no guarantee that each piece won’t get wrinkled or end up in a ball.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have bamboo sheets that I paid a lot for and dislike them. I wash sheets separately but they pill. They also stretch out and become baggy looking. The only good thing is they came with 4 pillowcases instead of 2 so I can switch them after a couple of days. I’ve tried the silk pillowcases but there’s no difference in my skin or hair plus, when I wake up, they’re on the floor!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.No 5, protectors, duvet protectors also a great idea. I use those because my super king duvet would otherwise have to go to the laundrette and I have to travel to another town for one with a big enough machine.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If you ever have to have a cast on your leg, it can ruin your sheets unless you can wrap it up in something soft. I made the mistake of not doing so & after 6 weeks of the hard cast rubbing on my sheet; it left all sorts of problems –like little bumps in the bedding & it eventually feels so rough & hard to sleep on. They don’t wash out & almost feel like bumps you can get on a woolen sweater. I guess an arm cast would do the same, it is almost like you have to have a protective sleeve over the cast no matter where it is. Beware!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi
I have a big problem with washing my sheets and getting what looks like bleach marks on them.
I buy very good quality sheets
This bleach problem never happened with my
Hotel sheets but now with the last two sets of higher quality
Sheets which are both from different vendors I have after the third wash have gotten what looks like bleach marks on them. I never ever use bleach in my front load washer… so it’s not left over bleach in the washer.
When buying my latest set of sheets at Bloomingdales I told the saleswomen about these bleach marks that appeared on my last sheets. She asked if I used a liquid softener and mentioned it may be due to using the softener .
So I didn’t use any softener in my latest expensive sheets and changed my soap too yet on my third wash again bleach marks showed up on a couple of the pillow cases and the flat sheet.
It’s Very up setting to spend a few hundred on sheet sets which feel great but now look terrible.
If it’s the soap then I wish they would list what soap to use or not use. I just used wool lite and the flat sheet still got more bleach marks on it but the other pieces didn’t.
Also I totally cleaned both machines. Could the cleaner I use monthly in the front load washer to remove the icky odor they get be the problem? And if you think yes then what do I use to remove that odor to avoid ruining my sheets.
Also besides the sheets only one brand of my husbands tee shirts and sweatshirts (Eddy Bauer) get stained too but again not all of them . No other items get affected
by the staining.
What is going on…Help!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Never use chlorine bleach in your washing machine, except to clean the washer.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use a hydrogen peroxide bleach called 7th Edition, and it whitens white fabrics and brightens colored fabrics without leaving “bleach marks.”
Best thing I ever did to improve sleep was darken my room. Black out the windows, cover lights on any devices, keep doors closed (mostly or my cat gets locked in) and no night light. I also set my phone to yellow light at night since I use sudoku to help me fall asleep. White noice helps too as my hubby has an apnea machine.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have a large Samsung top loader with no agitator. I love it except when washing sheets. They tangle in the washer and I mean in knots. It only spins out on low leaving extremely wet and heavy sheets. This is a huge no no for my back but ……They take forever to dry and roll into a huge burrito in the dryer. I roll the burrito and whatever is inside has to be dried longer. That process includes half of your dont’s! I think mine is a loosing battle. I hang dry most clothing. It is too hard to carry soaking wet bedding to the clothes line or I would for sure.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What about hanging them on the line? Good or bad?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hanging them on a line is great! There’s nothing better than fresh air.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If your area allows a clothesline, use it on sunny, breezy, days that are 65 degrees or above.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Our area does allow clotheslines, and I love to use mine.
Now, the weather has become cold and wet, so I am back to using my dryer.
I wash towels separately as the lint will get on dark items.
I wash in cold or cool water until the temps go below forty or the line may freeze, then I wash using warm water.
We were married in 1972. When I do the laundry, I hang it outside on a clothesline, including clothing (hang those inside out to prevent the “right side” from fading.
This includes sheets. I only use the dryer on rainy days or when the weather is too cold or damp and nothing will dry outside.
No dryer ever invented can match the smell of fresh air on clothing, blankets or sheets. It just adds to the “fresh smell” of all items that were outside.
Thank you for Salk your help in many different areas
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi! I’m wondering if you have any tips for making bed sheets softer. I bought some from one of the home shopping channels that were advertised as being 800 thread count- they are so scratchy I can hardly stand it! I washed them in cool water with a vinegar rinse but it didn’t help.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Honestly, I find lower thread count sheets to be much softer and more comfortable than high thread count sheets. Each to their own I suppose.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Maggi,
Try washing the sheets in cold water with baking soda (do not add detergent). During the final rinse cycle add one cup of vinegar. Wash them one more time with half the amount of detergent that you would normally use and you will have silky soft sheets! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Awesome! Thanks so much!!
I rotate my fitted sheet each week, when I take it off to wash I always make a mental note as to which end the tag is on and when I put it back on the bed I make sure the tag is on the other end of the bed , that way it gets even wear and one end doesn’t get worn out so quickly. I do have two sets of sheets but when we bought a new mattress few months back the one set wasn’t deep enough to fit so…
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks for the great tips!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.One factor not mentioned here is foot care – namely of long toenails and rough heels. Yeah, eww…but I’ve had to retire more than one set of sheets because the fitted one developed a tear just at the spot where I would slide my feet in at night. I don’t know if I just have unusually rough heels or if it’s because I go barefoot around the house so much (my husband never goes barefoot and his feet stay buttery soft), but for my own comfort and protecting my sheets I’ve had to start staying on top of my feet, figuratively as well as literally.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My dad is the same way. His feet ruin my parents sheets.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love good sheets and I finally found them….Sheex! You gotta try them. Soft, luxurious, yummy, and I really do sleep som much better in them!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.LOL my first thought when I read the title was: don’t let your new kitten on the bed! Ours thinks anything moving under the sheets is a monster that needs to be attacked. I’m afraid my sheets will not survive the sharp kitty claws and bloodstains, even with these great suggestions!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Lol…ours did that until they outgrew their “kitten” phase – and our sheets survived! But one solution may be to wear kitty out before bedtime with some vigorous, off-bed play.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Trim kitty’s nails regularly (front only so she can climb to safety if needed) and she shouldn’t feel the need to scratch and won’t be able to do damage anyway. My bare legs have certainly thanked me for this!
Charlotte
The things we put up with from our furry friends!! But, oh how we love them! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My Cat did this too as a kitten would try to attack our feet. A little peroxide always takes bloodstains out of my sheets. I just spray it on. They are so funny. I miss having a Cat in the house.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Oh, so do I, Christym, but I am allergic to cat dander. Neither of us could part with our cat, thus, I wheezed, and kept using my inhraler. When, at 18, our cat had to be put to sleep, due to kidney disease, we cried our eyes out.
I had to work that night and it was my birthday, but I went to work, anyway as I had no choice, I was the only one holding that position. We never had another cat, but even now, we both really miss having a cat, they are fantastic pets.
When I change my sheets, I strip the bed and leave it unmade for a couple of hours to air it out. I spray the mattress pad with a lavender infusion to freshen the mattress pad between washings before remaking the bed. You can even put some lavender on your dryer balls so freshen sheets while drying.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What a great routine, Kathy! Isn’t lavender wonderful??!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Until I moved to my flat, I dried my bedding etc. on my washing line. I didn’t have room for a tumble dryer so, when I needed a new machine, I bought a washer/dryer, I discovered that was a bad idea! Washer/dryers are totally useless, they take longer to dry and everything is creased! Now that I live in a flat, there’s no communal drying area so I have to dry my clothes on an airer, I really miss the smell of washing which has been dried on the line.
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