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How to Care for Towels and Bedding: Increasing the Life and Quality of Linens

© Peggy Hoehne

Here are a few ways to prolong the life and quality of your towels and bedding.

How to Improve Towel Absorbency

New towels may take 3-4 washings before they gain their full absorbency potential as well as softness and fluffiness. However, the most common deterrent to absorbency is fabric softener. These chemicals build up on the fibers and reduce the towel's ability to absorb. To fluff up the loop on your towels, shake them before you put them in the dryer and again when you take them out.

Other Care Tips:

• Wash dark towels before use to reduce their tendency to bleed.
• Use 1 cup of vinegar when washing towels the first time as it will help set the color.
• Use non-chlorine bleach.
• Use about half the normal amount of detergent.
• Use ¼ - ½ cup of vinegar in the rinse water to remove soap residue.

How to Properly Care for Bedding

Consider washing larger comforters in a commercial washer large enough to allow full soaking and aeration. Always follow manufacturer’s instructions. Bedding will need to be changed more frequently in hot and humid regions.

• Wash sheets in cool or lukewarm water that's less than 104 degrees F.
• Set wash cycle on "gentle".
• Use half the amount of recommended detergent and avoid using bleach.
• Avoid over-drying sheets.
• If sheets have cooled in the dryer and wrinkles have set, then tumble another 5-10 minutes with a washcloth that has been slightly dampened.
• Change pillowcases at least twice a week and sheets once a week; iron for a crisp look.
• Buy extra fitted sheets and pillowcases for any desired sheet patterns as these will wear out before the flat sheet.
• Use a mattress pad between the mattress and sheets. Wash at least every few months.
• Dry clean decorative accessories - pillow covers, shams, bed skirts, tablecloths, or curtain panels.

Care for Blankets, Comforters, and Duvets

• Machine wash blankets with like colors; wash in cold water before first use to avoid bleeding.
• Avoid bleach.
• Tumble dry blankets on low heat.
• Do not hand wash or rub colors together.

Many companies are now making washable wool blankets. These offer the benefits of wool with the easy care of cotton. In general you can dry clean these or machine wash cold on gentle cycle with mild detergent in a commercial front-loading machine. Tumble dry low briefly. Placing a few towels in the dryer along with the blanket will help absorb moisture and minimize drying time. Long periods of tumbling can cause blankets to pill so avoid over-drying.

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