If you take a shower before going to bed and wear fresh pajamas, you may not need to wash your sheets as frequently. If you live in a place with limited water supply, it may be a good idea to avoid washing your sheets too frequently. [6] X Research source If you have a very active sex life, you may want to wash your sheets more regularly. [7] X Research source If you sweat a lot at night, it may be a good idea to wash your sheets more frequently. [8] X Research source
Avoid washing too many sheets together. If you try to wash too many sheets at once, they will not get as clean. Also, washing too much at once will strain the motor of your washing machine. [10] X Research source
Avoid washing your sheets with towels. [11] X Research source If you wash sheets with towels, you will end up with little lint balls all over your sheets. The friction from the towels will gradually wear down the sheets. [12] X Research source Avoid washing your sheets with items of a different color. If you wash your sheets with other clothing items of a different color, you may discolor your sheets. [13] X Research source
Use 2 oz (1/4 cup) or half a cap full of liquid laundry detergent for a regular load. Use 4 oz (1/2 cup) or 1 full cap of liquid laundry detergent for a heavily soiled load. [15] X Research source Follow the guidelines on the detergent packaging. [16] X Research source Avoid using too much detergent. If you want your sheets to last a long time, you should avoid excessive detergent. Loads of detergent will wear down your sheets faster.
Choose “sheet cycle” if your machine has such a setting. If there is no “sheet cycle,” use the regular cycle or the colors cycle. [18] X Research source Use a warm water setting for regular washing. If the sheets are very soiled, you can use a hot water setting to kill more germs. [19] X Research source Avoid using hot temperatures regularly. If you want your sheets to last a long time, you should generally avoid hot temperatures. A hot cycle will wear down your sheets faster. [20] X Research source Use a hot temperature setting if you had a cold recently or if the sheets are especially soiled. The hot water will help disinfect your sheets and remove germs, viruses and allergens.
Add 1 cup (236 milliliters) of vinegar to the rinse cycle. By adding vinegar at the rinse cycle, you will get rid of any traces of detergent on the sheets. [21] X Research source Use a quarter cup (2 oz) of lemon juice to the wash cycle to brighten your sheets. Use lemon juice instead of bleach or a whitening agent. This can make your sheets last a little longer. [22] X Research source
Dry your silk sheets on a clothes line. If you must use a dryer, choose a no-heat setting. [24] X Research source To clean your satin sheets, you should machine wash at 40° Celsius (104° Fahrenheit). You can use a fabric conditioner in the final cycle to help keep the sheets soft. Avoid using bleach. Using bleach frequently will eventually damage your sheets. Dry on a clothes line or tumble dry.
Remove stains from your silk sheets with a product designed specifically for silk sheets. [26] X Research source
If cold water does not work, try treating the blood stain with shampoo. Squirt a small amount of shampoo on the stain, and then vigorously rub it with a brush. Keep brushing the affected area until you get most of the blood removed. You can then rinse the stained area, and wash the sheets. [28] X Research source
Hang white sheets in the sun and colored sheets in the shade. [31] X Research source Hang sheets from the corners rather than in the middle. This keeps them from getting damaged in the wind. Wear an apron with pockets for clothespins to make the task easier. Alternately, bring a bucket of clothespins. [32] X Research source You may also choose to use a combination of clothes line and dryer. Try drying the sheets on the clothes line and then putting them in the dryer for just a couple minutes. This way you can save energy while also getting the soft feel of sheets just out of the dryer. [33] X Research source
Use a tennis ball tied in a cotton sock to make sure the sheets dry evenly. [35] X Research source Use a lavender dryer bag. Lavender oil can help you sleep and is a natural moth repellent and antibacterial agent. [36] X Research source Fill a spray bottle with water and several drops of lavender oil. Shake the bottle to mix the oil into the water. Spray a clean washcloth with the solution and then toss the washcloth in the dryer with the wet laundry. The lavender scent will transfer to your sheets. [37] X Research source
Use the less dry or damp alert settings to prevent over-drying of cotton sheets. [39] X Research source Avoid hot temperature settings. Hot temperatures will shorten the life of your sheets. [40] X Research source
Avoid leaving your sheets in the washer. This causes wrinkles, since the spin cycle of the washer will suck the sheets against the washer wall. Instead, take out the sheets right when they are done and place them on the bed. [42] X Research source
Put the top and bottom sheets in 1 pillowcase. You can also put your second pillowcase in there. [45] X Research source Store your sheets in a linen closet. If you own a linen closet, you can keep your sheets in there. It will give you more closet space in the bedrooms. [46] X Research source Store your sheets in the room where they are being used. This way your sheets will be readily available when you need them. [47] X Research source
