Tips for Keeping Your Linens Like New

Your linens—bedding, tablecloths, napkins, and towels—are items that you probably use on a daily basis. You also probably invested time and expense in finding the perfect linens for your home, and will want to keep them looking pristine. But, because these kinds of linens are frequently used, it’s important to learn how to take care of them so they last, keep looking good, and continue to give you joy for years to come.

This is especially true when it comes to maintaining your bed sheets and towels, which get hours of use each and every day. It makes such a difference to know that when you go to bed or wrap yourself in a towel after a bath, your linens are fresh, clean, and oh-so-comfy! But how do you go about preserving the color and integrity of the fabric? And how can you wash, dry, and store your linens so they look and feel as fabulous as the day you brought them home? Read on for all the tips you need to keep your linens like new.

How to Take Care of Your Bed Sheets

Slipping into crisp, clean bed sheets is such a comforting sensation, but it’s also an important part of creating a cozy and relaxing sleep environment that you’ll love climbing into every night. In fact, according to the National Sleep Foundation, 73% of people feel that fresh sheets are an important factor in getting a good night’s sleep. Take care of your bed sheets and they will take care of you!

How to Wash Bed Sheets

Read the care label for instructions and wash your new sheets before use. The first wash will set the threads, which will preserve the fabric for longer.
Wash your fitted sheets, bedspreads, and pillowcases (those that are right next to your body) weekly. Duvet covers, shams, thick quilts, and throws can be washed as needed – every 1-3 months – depending on the frequency of use.
The best method for laundering your sheets is in warm (not hot) water with a mild laundry detergent. If you have white sheets, you can use non-chlorine bleach (chlorine can weaken natural fibers and cause them to discolor). If you need to remove stains, use a product like OxiClean. Adding baking soda to your wash or vinegar to your rinse cycle can also freshen up your laundry.
Remember to wash matching items together, and only with similar colored items and fabrics. Keeping matching sets together will help to maintain color consistency.
Don’t use fabric softeners. They may make fibers feel softer in the short term, but cause damage them over time.

How to Dry and Store Bed Sheets

To avoid your sheets getting bunched up and damaging fibers, carefully shake out your sheets before you put them into the dryer. Check to ensure that other linens haven’t got caught in with them.
Sun dry if possible. If using a dryer, dry your sheets on a low to medium heat and remove them while still slightly damp in order to prevent wrinkles. Smooth them and let them air dry.
Don’t overload the dryer. This will ensure that your items dry evenly and that smaller items such as pillowcases don’t get balled up inside larger ones like duvet covers.
Before you store your bed linens or put them back on your bed, be sure they are completely dry.
Store your bedding in a place that is cool, dry and well-ventilated, such as a linen closet.

How to Take Care of Your Bath Towels

While washing your towels might seem as easy as tossing them into the washer-dryer, you’ll need a proper washing and drying routine if you want to keep your towels soft and fluffy for longer. Especially if you’ve invested in quality cotton towels, you’ll want to take good care of them and ensure they stay soft, absorbent, and durable.

How to Wash Towels

As for bed linens, wash new towels before you use them for the first time. This will remove any pre-treatments and ensure they are as absorbent as they should be.
Wash your towels frequently, every three to four days. For colored towels, wash in cold or warm water depending on the care instructions, and don’t use bleach or cleaners with bleaching agents. For white towels, you can wash them in hot water with non-chlorine bleach if needed. (Be sure to wash white towels separately, to avoid discoloration.)
Avoid washing towels with clothing that has zippers, hooks, or Velcro to prevent snags. Washing towels with sheets and clothes can also lead to the transfer of lint or fibers, so they should ideally be washed on their own.
Don’t overload your washing machine. Give the towels room to breathe and circulate instead of clumping. It’s the small pockets of moisture that can lead to scratchy towels.

How to Dry and Store Towels

Before drying your towels, give them a little shake to prevent them from balling up in the dryer. At the end of the cycle, shake them out again. This will loosen the fabric’s fibers and help to make the towels nice and fluffy.
Dry your towels on low to warm heat. Don’t use fabric softeners or dryer sheets, especially for towels made of natural fibers.
Before putting your towels away for storage, make sure they are fully dry. Like sheets, towels should be stored in a cool, dry place. If you like, you can add a bag of lavender to your linen closet or tuckets into the folds of your linens. Not only does it smell wonderful, it’s a deterrent for moths.

Speaking of towels, have you seen our newest collection of luxury towels? The Kensey and the Lago collections are both made from 100% cotton and woven in Portugal. They come in bath towels, hand towels, washcloths, and bath sheets, and are supremely soft, luxurious, highly absorbent, and made with all the love and care you expect from all of our products.