How to Wash Brand-New Sheets Before Sleeping on Them
New sheets may appear as if they have just been washed when they come in the box; however, this is very misleading. Sheets are handled by numerous people, run on many different machines, and stored in many places before they get placed in your bed. As a result of this, new sheets contain chemicals used in the manufacturing process, extra dye, dust from the factory, and residue from the packaging materials, which you do not wish to be exposed to your skin at night. Washing them before using is important so as to protect your skin from exposure to raw chemicals that are used in the process of production. This will help you achieve a good sleep anytime the sheet is being used in bed. There is less chance of developing an itch that will ruin the comfort of your sleep in the long run. In this article, we will discuss some of the procedures you must follow in washing brand-new sheets before using them.
Check the Care Label Before Doing Anything Else
If this is your first time washing a new bed sheet, take a chill pill and pay attention to the care label tag that comes with your sheets. This might seem like a command, right? No, it’s an important instruction you must follow. The care label is usually found somewhere on your sheet with a little tag or printed on the inside of the hem. The purpose of the care label is to help guide you through how best to wash, dry, and otherwise treat your bedding so that the fibers are stabilized, the colors stay balanced, and the stitches and elastic on fitted sheets don’t stretch or break. When your bedding is washed in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions, your bedding will hold its shape better over time and be softer after being dried. Saving money is another great benefit of properly washing your bedding, as damaged bedding loses value very quickly. As long as you follow the manufacturer’s care label as instructions instead of as suggestions, you’ll get the most performance out of your bedding as it was intended.
Choose a Gentle Detergent for the First Wash
The first wash of a new sheet has an impact in establishing the overall texture and scent of your sheets. The choice of your first-wash detergent will greatly affect both the sheet’s texture and odor long term. The use of strong detergents will deposit residue on new fiber, which leads to stiffness. Latestbedding recommends the use of a gentle detergent or fragrance-free detergent when washing new sheets for the first time, as it cleans the sheets without any negative effect. Chemical finishes are already embedded into new sheets; therefore, applying an abrasive detergent to these sheets will add build-up rather than create a fresh feeling. Gentle detergents are easier to remove from the sheet and provide natural relaxation of fibers. So, making a responsible detergent selection will support your desire for long-term softness and ensure your sheets are inviting each and every evening. The most effective choices are simple.
Use the Right Water Temperature to Protect Fabric
Many people probably do not think about the water temperature when washing their new bedding. However, the water temperature has a great effect on how well sheets will turn out compared to what most people think. It seems logical that hot water would be best to get rid of all the dirt and stains that are embedded in your new bedding. While this may seem like a good idea at first, the truth is, for the majority of new bedding, warm or cold water is usually best for your first washes, and depending on what type of fabric your bedding is made of, it really doesn’t matter which one you choose as long as the temperature is not too hot. Using hot water can cause the wrinkles that you have worked so hard to remove during the manufacturing process to come back. Additionally, using hot water to clean your new bedding can also damage the fibers early on, and therefore shorten its life span. On the other hand, using cold or warm water will allow the chemicals used during manufacturing to rinse off your bedding without damaging the thread, and will also preserve the color of your bedding, especially if your bedding is dark. Sheets that are washed in gentle temperatures will not only look softer, but they will also lie better on the bed.
Avoid Fabric Softeners During the First Wash
Fabric softeners are meant to make your sheets softer, but guess what, they can actually cause issues with new bedding at the same time. Yes, they do cause issues if not used correctly. Instead of helping to naturally improve the fibers, fabric softeners put a coating on them. The coating from the softener obstructs the air flow to the sheet by creating a barrier that holds onto residue and will eventually cut into how comfortable it feels as it ages. If you take care of new sheets when you wash them, they will develop a natural softness through washing and do not need to be coated artificially. Washing your new sheets and not using a fabric softener in the initial wash allows the fibers to expand and get relaxed without anything blocking them from doing so. Also, allowing your new sheets to go through their first wash without using a fabric softener gives your new sheets room to settle in before you start treating them for the long run.
Conclusion
New bed sheet washing is easier if the new bed sheets are made to be washed regularly. Our sheets at LatestBedding have been designed to last long washing and drying, which makes preparing them for use for the first time less stressful. Because of their quality materials and excellent weave, they do soften as needed over time and provide a quality comfort level every time you use them. Therefore, if you want bed sheets that feel great from the very first night of sleeping on them and continue to perform well after each subsequent washing, choosing LatestBedding’s bed sheets is the ideal selection for you to fit into your healthful bedding routine.
