There's hardly a better feeling than slipping into a freshly made bed in the evening. But how often should you actually change your bed linen? And how do you wash it correctly to keep it fresh for a long time? Here you'll find everything you need to know about the proper care of your bed linen.
Freshly washed bed linen is simply wonderful. But many wonder: How often should I change it? And what should I consider when washing it? The good news: With a few simple tips, your bed linen will last longer and always feel pleasant.
How often should you change your bed linen?
Have you ever considered what happens on your bed linen at night? When we sleep, we lose about half to one liter of water per night, which is then released into the bed linen and mattress. In addition, there are skin cells and sweat.
The warm, humid climate is perfect for bacteria, mites, and germs. In the worst case, they can lead to skin diseases, allergies, or even asthma.
Our recommendation: Change your bed linen one to two times a month. This removes dead skin cells, sweat, and dirt and is not only more hygienic but also gives you an even more pleasant feeling when sleeping.
Washing bed linen: What you need to know
The right wash program
Choose the right program for your laundry based on the material. We recommend washing your bed linen on a delicate or gentle cycle. These programs have a gentler motion and reduce the risk of damage or deformation of the fabrics. Also, make sure to reduce the spin speed to minimize wrinkles and save energy.
The right temperature
Most bed linens can be easily washed at 40 degrees Celsius. This temperature is ideal for removing dirt and bacteria without damaging the fabrics. The low temperature also saves electricity and is good for the environment.
However, if you are unsure, check the care label attached to your bed linen. Sometimes there are specific recommendations for lower temperatures, especially for delicate materials.
The right detergent
Powder over liquid: Powder detergents are generally more environmentally friendly than their liquid counterparts. Powders have better washing performance and are less burdensome for wastewater treatment plants. Various ecological alternatives are already available on the market that do without petroleum-based surfactants, fragrances, and preservatives.
Heavy-duty detergents contain bleach and are therefore often used for white laundry because they make the laundry shine again. A heavy-duty detergent is also suitable for heavily soiled laundry.
For less heavily soiled laundry, mild detergent is the right choice. It contains no bleach or brighteners and gently cleans materials. In combination with a gentle cycle at low temperatures, nothing can go wrong. With this choice, you'll protect your bed linen and enjoy it for even longer.
Washing light and colorful bedding correctly
Wash white and light bed linen separately from colorful or dark laundry, as even small amounts of dye can cause white fibers to gray over time. Wash light bed linen only with other light textiles and use a heavy-duty detergent when needed for a bright white result.
Treat colorful and dark bed linen most gently with a color detergent without bleach, which protects the colors. Turn the pieces inside out before washing, this way the colors fade much more slowly. For new, vibrant colors, it is also worth washing the first few loads separately and at a lower temperature until the color has stabilized. Check the care label of your model beforehand to avoid exceeding the right temperature. Our colorful bedding sets are tested for colorfastness, but this precaution is still worthwhile for any new, colored bedding.
Fabric softener: yes or no?
For bedding made from cotton or linen, we generally advise against fabric softener. It settles like a fine film around the fibers, which can reduce absorbency and impair the breathability of the fabric, especially important at night, when the body releases moisture. An extra rinse cycle with clear water usually provides enough softness, without any additives.
If your bedding feels too rough after washing, a lower spin speed or air drying often helps. If you still don't want to do without fabric softener, dose it sparingly and check the care label of your model beforehand. Some materials like linen develop their pleasant softness on their own after a few washes anyway.
Stain treatment
If you have stubborn stains on your bed linen, you can pre-treat them before washing. Simply apply a little detergent directly to the stain and let it soak in for a while before putting the entire bed linen into the washing machine.
For new bed linen
Have you bought new bed linen? Then wash it before its first use. This removes any residues from manufacturing and packaging. Use the same wash program and recommended washing temperature as for future cleanings.
The reason for this is finishing agents and starch, which textiles are treated with during production and for transport so that they arrive smooth and flawless when packaged. These residues can irritate sensitive skin and initially reduce the absorbency of the fibers. Only after the first wash does natural material like organic cotton or linen fully develop its softness and breathability. Wash new, colored bedding separately the first time to make sure no color bleeds onto other textiles.
Easy-care bedding: less effort in everyday life
Easy-care bedding is on trend, referring to fabrics that hardly wrinkle, dry quickly, and get by with low temperatures. TENCEL Lyocell by Lenzing is a good example: the fiber surface is especially smooth, which creates less friction in the drum and helps the fabric keep its shape for longer. Lyocell also feels pleasantly cool and temperature-regulating, ideal for warm nights.
Linen bedding is also one of the easy-care options, even though many people initially think of tedious ironing. Our linen comes from Europe and becomes softer and cozier with every wash, without any extra care. A gentle or delicate cycle at a low temperature is completely sufficient for both materials, but always check the care label of your specific model for the exact temperature.
Properly drying bed linen
Your favorite items and the environment will thank you if you, whenever possible, air dry your bedding outside on a clothesline. In the dryer, bedding is exposed to strong friction, which can strain the material. If you do use a dryer, choose a low temperature to avoid shrinkage and always check the care label.
Drying tip: When you hang your bedding on the line, it dries best in the wind, and not, as one might assume, in strong sunlight. Ensure good airflow, and your laundry will dry particularly quickly. The wind also smooths out wrinkles, while the sun is a natural bleaching agent (but only for white cotton textiles).
Frequently asked questions
How often should you wash bed linen?
Change your bed linen one to two times a month and wash it right away. This reliably removes skin flakes, sweat, and dust before bacteria or mites can multiply.
At what temperature is it best to wash bed linen?
For most materials, 40 degrees Celsius on a delicate or gentle cycle is completely sufficient to reliably remove dirt while saving energy. In case of heavy soiling or illness, a higher temperature can make sense, check the care label of your model beforehand.
Do you need to wash new bed linen before first use?
Yes, you should definitely do this. This removes finishing agents and residues from production and transport, and the material immediately develops its full softness. Wash new, colored sets separately the first time so no dye bleeds onto other laundry.
How do you wash light bed linen correctly so it doesn't turn gray?
Always wash white and light bed linen separately from colorful or dark textiles and use a heavy-duty detergent with optical brighteners if needed. A gentle cycle at 40 degrees Celsius is usually enough, for laundry that has grayed more, you can moderately increase the temperature according to the care label of your model.
Is fabric softener useful for bed linen?
Not really for cotton and linen, since fabric softener can reduce the absorbency of the fibers. An extra rinse cycle or air drying usually achieves a similarly soft result, without any additives.
Bedding from erlich textil
Our erlich bedding is not only environmentally friendly, but also super cozy. It is made from 100% natural fibers. The bedding sets made from organic cotton or cotton in conversion and linen are therefore particularly pleasant for sensitive skin. The fabrics have an extremely pleasant surface and thus provide the perfect erlich feel-good experience.
Premium Bedding made from sustainable materials
At erlich textil you will find high-quality bedding made from organic cotton, linen and recycled materials. Fairly produced in Europe, designed for maximum comfort and durability.
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