Washing Bed Sheets: How To Wash Cotton and Egyptian Cotton Care Tips

From premium cotton bed linen to Egyptian cotton sheets, our bedding is designed to lull you into a peaceful sleep. And when you’ve experienced the magic of a rejuvenating rest, you’ll want to know exactly how to wash cotton properly to guarantee yourself the best night’s sleep every night. 

Cleaning cotton doesn’t need to be difficult, and Egyptian cotton care shouldn’t be confusing. So, to make sure you get the most out of your luxury bed linen, we’ve put together a guide to washing bed sheets. 

Here’s our guide on how to wash cotton and Egyptian cotton care top tips, below.

How to wash cotton bedding

Whether you’re wondering how to wash Egyptian cotton sheets to ensure they stay soft and fresh, or you’re always asking what temp to wash bedding at – we’ve got all the answers for you.

For starters, it’s best to wash bedding every week to avoid bacteria forming and, to retain the luxurious softness of cotton, it’s important to always follow the cotton care instructions on your bedding. 

Generally, we recommend using a 30 to 40°C temp to wash bedding and, to prevent discolouration, don’t mix your sheets with darker coloured items. Even if you tend to use colour catcher products, there’s a chance colours may run and ruin the pristine, clean cotton of your bed linen.

What detergent should I use to wash cotton bedding?

We all want our clean cotton bedding to come out of the wash with a fresh and relaxing scent, but with so many detergents on the market, it can be tough to find the right one. However, it’s worth taking the time to research the best laundry detergent for you - you’ll be thankful for it when you slip into crisp, cosy, clean cotton sheets!

Some detergents contain ingredients that can damage your clean cotton bedding. We recommend avoiding detergents containing bleach or brighteners, as they can stiffen the fabric and can be damaging to your skin and the environment too. 

After all, nothing is better than clean cotton sheets, except maybe clean cotton sheets that are environmentally friendly as well. So, if you’d like to help the environment, check out our blog for some eco-friendly tips for washing your bed sheets.

Can you tumble dry cotton?

No one enjoys waiting for bed linen to dry hung up on the washing line. After all, you’ll be eager to dress your bed with your freshly washed bedding! 

However, all good things are worth waiting for, and we always recommend line-drying your clean cotton sheets to keep them looking and smelling beautiful!

But, if you really can’t wait or the good old British weather has put a dampener on any chance of drying washed bedding outdoors, the best alternative is to tumble dry on a low heat setting. This will prevent any shrinking and keep it in the best condition possible. 

Want a top tip? Well, if you take your freshly washed bedding out of the dryer before the cycle ends, you can shake out any creases and reduce the time you spend ironing! That sounds like music to our ears. 

As always, make sure you read the care label for tailored care instructions before putting clean cotton bedding into the dryer.

Egyptian cotton care tips

All our bed linen is designed to bring style into your bedroom and we think that deserves extra care. So, before we leave you to wash your bedding, we thought we’d give you some parting wisdom with these Egyptian cotton care tips. 

When it comes to retaining the hotel freshness of cotton bed sheets, it’s well worth spending 10 minutes ironing your Egyptian cotton sheets. This will iron out any wrinkles and creases that might ruin the look of your sheets. 

You should also check the care label on your sheets and select the temperature suggested, then iron using long quick strokes to watch the wrinkles just melt away. 

Bear in mind, brand new Egyptian cotton can be quite stiff when you remove it from the packet. So, to get soft sheets from first use, try popping them in the washing machine to soften them up.

What’s good for Egyptian cotton is good for our just-as-cosy luxury cotton sheets, so don’t be afraid to iron your cotton sheets or soften them up in the washing machine too! Just remember, check the care label first for specific advice first. 

Looking for top tips for washing white bedding? Check out our blog for how to wash and care for white bedding. Or for more top tips and décor inspiration, head over to the DUSK blog.