I'm a laundry expert and you're wrecking bedding by making ‘snagging' mistake, stop it now

Scottish Sun

2 days ago

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WASHING our bedding and sheets seems like a straightforward task, even if we have to do it more frequently during the hot, summer months.
Most of us just chuck them in the machine, add some powder, and maybe a little bit of softener, and we're good to go.
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Experts have revealed that we're washing our bedding all wrong
Credit: Getty
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And we could be ruining the fabric without realising it
Credit: Getty
But it turns out that many of us are guilty of washing our bedding all wrong - and it could be ruining the fabric.
Laundry experts at My Furniture have revealed that one key mistake can actually reduce our bedding's lifespan.
James Pilling, bedding expert and interior designer from My Furniture, said that washing our bedding with other items of clothing could cause our beloved sheets to tear.
And the bedding guru warned that homeowners should never add clothes and bedding in the same spin.
They said: 'Never wash your sheets with clothes that have zips, buttons or other fastenings as they can snag or tear the fabric.
"Bedding should be washed in a separate load.'
Never wash your sheets with clothes that have zips, buttons or other fastenings as they can snag or tear the fabric
James Pilling
Another mistake many of us make is washing our bedding at the wrong temperature - and it's far too high.
Whilst many think it's best to wash bed sheets at 60C or even 90C to eliminate bacteria, the experts say it's actually more beneficial to wash bedding at a lower temperature.
James explains: 'Hot washes are one of the quickest ways to ruin bed linen.
"High temperatures break down cotton or silk fibres, leaving them brittle.
Drying laundry inside was making my home mouldy - now I never put up my clothes horse without a £1.08 buy on it
"In fact, the fluff you see in the lint trap is actually part of your bedding.
"An eco cycle with warm water is far gentler on the fabric, as well as more eco-friendly.'
To help make our bedding last longer and stay in good condition, James suggests avoiding harsh cleaning chemicals.
He said: "The cleaning products you use make a big difference.
"Sheets usually need freshening up from sweat and skin cells.
"But too many harsh chemicals can do more harm than good, so stick to plant-based detergents and avoid fabric softener altogether.
"For an even gentler option, wash your sheets with a cup of borax or sodium bicarbonate instead.
"This is better for both your bedding and your washing machine.'
How often you should really wash your bedsheets in summer
THE warmer temperatures mean most of us will be sweating through the night, even if we are putting the fans on.
And this, in turn, can leave stains and odours on our pillows and sheets that impact our sleep hygiene.
So, experts have revealed exactly how often everyone should be washing their bedding in the summer - and it's more often than you might think.
Chloe Barrow, interior expert at Laura James, said that homeowners should wash their sheets at least twice a week during the summer.
She said: 'In the warmer months, I recommend washing your bedding every week as a minimum.
"Hot nights mean more sweat and skin cells accumulate in the sheets.
"Not only can this make for an uncomfortable sleep, but it can also lead to odour or irritation if left too long.
"If you experience night sweats, are prone to allergies, or have pets sharing your bed, I recommend upping this to twice a week to help maintain freshness and to be hygienic.
"You should definitely wash bedding more frequently in summer than winter.
"In summer, it's common to sleep with minimal clothing and open windows, which can bring in more pollen and outdoor particles.
"This combination makes regular washing essential if you want to stay on top of sleep hygiene."
But it's not just about washing our bedding correctly - making sure we dry it properly is also just as important.
James has warned that many homeowners are also guilty of making the same mistake when it comes to drying sheets and duvet covers.
He explains that bedding should always be air-dried where possible and not hung over radiators.
The laundry pro says: "Heat can seriously damage the fabric of your bedding.
"The best way to dry sheets is outside in the fresh air. This includes winter.
"As long as it's not raining, you can usually get them dry, and your linen will remain intact.