Cleaning is always a hassle and sometimes you might worry that you aren’t doing enough but these simple tips might just help ease that stress.
One of the first important questions to ask is how often you should clean your sheets.
The cleaning professionals all told Insider that you should be washing your sheets once a week.
“Even if you are a very clean person and shower every day, after a few days your sheets become soiled with dead skin cells, sweat, body oils, and other gross stuff,” cleaning expert Jessica Samson told them.
Corinna and Theresa Williams, the co-founders of an eco-friendly laundromat known as Celsious, told Insider that the cleaning frequency can change depending on your circumstances.
“If someone is sick in bed or prone to accidents (potty training children or pets, for example), you’ll want to wash your sheets more frequently, and as soon as possible after any accidents.”
WASH COTTON
“Your everyday sheets should not have complicated care instructions, and the material should be able to withstand warm or hot washes for hygienic reasons,” the sisters told Insider.
To properly care for cotton, the sisters said to wash them at the warmest temperature they can handle and then dry the sheets on low heat.
They suggested avoiding fabric softener as it can coat the laundry with fibers that will affect the absorbency of the sheets.
WASH LINEN
“Linen sheets are prone to shrinking in the wash if you use the hottest setting,” Samson told Insider.
All of the cleaning experts said to use lukewarm or cold water when cleaning linens.
To keep these sheets soft, they suggested using 1/4 cup of white vinegar in the softener compartment and throwing dryer balls in the dryer.
They also said to make sure you dry the linen sheets on low heat.
WASH IN COLD
The Williams sisters said that many people like to use cold water to wash their sheets to help save on energy.
“If you like, add ¼ cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle to help flush out odor,” they told Insider.
The cleaning experts also advised washing one load per month in hot/warm water.
“Water needs to be 130 degrees Fahrenheit to kill dust mites and 140 degrees to kill viruses and bacteria.”
WASH WITHOUT BLEACH
If you prefer to wash your sheets without bleach, like the sisters, they shared their easy trick for avoiding the cleaning product.
“It’s harsh on fabric, which isn’t good for longevity and can contribute to yellowing over time,” they told Insider.
“First, you want to treat all stains before washing the sheets,” they said.
Rather than bleach, the sisters recommended using an oxygen booster to treat stains and keep whites bright.
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