Wash bed linen: fabric before temperature
Wash bed linen for its fabric and care label. Adjust changes to use, sweating and soiling; treat cotton and delicate fabrics differently.
Bed linen comes in cotton, satin, percale, linen, flannel, jersey, silk or blends. Each material has its own requirements for temperature, wash cycle and drying. The sewn-in care label is therefore the most important guide, not a general rule of thumb.
Pay particular attention to tumble-dryer symbols and the maximum temperature. Linen and silk, for example, are more sensitive than sturdy cotton. Pillows and duvets themselves, not just their covers, often have quite different instructions; check their labels separately.
| Situation | Appropriate action |
|---|---|
| Durable cotton | Follow the specific label for temperature, programme and tumble drying; separate colours. |
| Blends or jersey | Respect the care limits of all fibres; cotton content does not imply a high wash temperature. |
| Silk, coated or delicate items | Use only permitted programme and detergent; professional care if the label requires it. |
Sorting by colour and material
Wash light and dark bed linen separately, and new coloured items ideally on their own or with similar colours for the first few washes. This avoids colour transfer. Also sort by material so that delicate fabrics are not washed with heavy towels or jeans.
Before washing, close zips and buttons and turn covers inside out. This protects the surface and colour and prevents small items from getting caught inside the cover.
- Separate light and dark
- Wash new coloured items separately
- Close zips
- Turn covers inside out
Washing gently
Do not overfill the drum. Bed linen needs room to move, otherwise it is cleaned unevenly and creases heavily. Dose detergent according to the manufacturer and water hardness; more detergent does not make laundry cleaner but tends to leave residues.
Fabric softener is not always useful. With some fabrics it reduces absorbency. Follow the label and the detergent instructions, and do not mix different additives.
Further reading
Drying thoroughly
Bed linen should be completely dry before it goes into the cupboard. Residual moisture can cause a musty smell. Hang covers smoothly on the line with enough space for air to circulate. This also produces fewer creases.
Only tumble-dry what the label allows and choose a suitable setting. Take the laundry out soon after the cycle ends and fold it straight away. This often saves ironing.
Changing and storing
How often you change your bed linen depends on your habits, the season and personal preference. Many households choose a fixed day of the week so that changing becomes routine. Also air the bed every morning by turning back the duvet and opening the window.
Store clean sets in a dry, well-ventilated place. A practical tip is to put the duvet cover, pillowcase and sheet of each set together inside one of the pillowcases. That way you find everything immediately next time.
Use the weekly cleaning routine to check whether a change is due. Change sooner if linen is soiled, damp or affected by heavy sweating. An occasional guest bed has a different routine from a daily-used bed; specific medical advice depends on individual needs.
- Choose a fixed changing day
- Air the bed daily
- Only store dry linen
- Keep sets together
Further reading
Everyday routine
With two or three sets per bed, changing is easy to organise: one on the bed, one in the wash and one in the cupboard. Treat stains as soon as possible according to the label, without combining different stain removers.
With PUTZIO you can book regular apartment cleaning in the supported municipalities around Zurich and Rapperswil-Jona for CHF 40 per hour. Making the beds can be discussed as part of normal cleaning. PUTZIO does not offer a laundry service, textile cleaning or mattress treatment.
Further reading