Every person uses bedding, but not every person has the same information about caring for it the right way. In fact, you might even be doing something wrong in terms of using and washing your bed linen. This blog sheds some light on what you probably didn’t know about caring for your bedding:
Your bed linen gets dirty…really dirty.
Most of us are so focused on cleaning our hands and regularly laundering our clothes, that we don’t pause to think about the one area in the house that harbours the most amount of germs: our bedding. surprised? Don’t be. Bed linen attracts a lot of microbes and germs, sometimes even pests like ants and cockroaches, because it gets more contaminated with each use. Every time you lay down to sleep, the bed linen absorbs your sweat and other bodily fluids. Further, you might end up with food crumbs or beverage spills on the sheets, which become more grounds for contamination and germ breeding. If you were to examine a used bed sheet and pillow cover under the microscope, you would be stunned to see the different contaminants embedded in the fibres: dust, dirt particles, bodily fluids, dandruff and dead skin, microbes, infectious bacteria, mites, etc. These are in contact with your body with every use and can cause a variety of skin and respiratory issues.
Bedsheets and Pillow Covers must be washed after a week of use.
Taking off from the point above, it naturally follows that your bed linen must be washed regularly to prevent skin issues like acne and dandruff and breathing issues due to embedded contaminants. On an average, you must wash your bed sheets and pillow covers after a week of use. Comforters and duvets may be washed once a month. Air-dry the washed bedding and fold away in a cool place away from damp and mould.
Most bedding cannot be dry cleaned.
It is a myth that dry cleaning gets clothing clean and free of infection and contamination. In fact, the process might compromise fabric integrity and dull colours. Cotton bedding, especially, does not require dry cleaning at all. A simple wash with the right soap is enough. Wash it in the washing machine as a separate item, with a good quality liquid detergent and an antibacterial wash to kill all lurking bacteria and germs.
Antiviral bed sheets do not need special care and attention – if they’re from the right brand.
Lately, a lot of people have been making the switch to antibacterial bed sheets and pillow covers. At a time when the Coronavirus continues to exercise a deadly grip on the world, antibacterial bedding is the need of the hour. These are bed linen specially treated so as to kill up to 99% of infectious viruses and a variety of deadly bacteria. Thus, users are kept safe from the effects of infections. However, most people are puzzled about how to care for these bed sheets. Here’s the simple answer: just like you care for your other bed linen. Wash it with a good quality liquid detergent in cold water, and do not bleach or iron the bedding. This category of bedding, if bought from a premium brand like Spaces, ensures that its antibacterial property remains intact despite repeated use and washing.
Hot Water is a Strict ‘NO’
Most people continue to believe that hot water kills germs in clothing. It may well be true, but the high temperature also causes fibres to come loose and pill. Regular hot water washes can make your bed linen loose and saggy.
Watch: How to Create A Positive Bed Routine for Kids
DISCLAIMER: **Anti-bacterial finish - Prevents >99.9% bacteria growth in product. Certified by Independent third party NABL approved lab. Results are done as per AATCC 100-2012 standards. Actual performance may vary due to different environment, washing pattern, and usage.