Washing and Drying Tips for Longer-Lasting Cotton Bedding
Looking for the best techniques for washing and drying cotton? Here’s how to get it right on laundry day.
One of the many advantages of cotton bedding is that it’s super easy to look after. Compared to other materials, cotton bedding is relatively easy to wash and dry, remove stains from and keep deliciously snug.
With that said, properly caring for cotton bedding does require a bit of know-how, and a few tips and tricks can make all the difference.
To help make laundry day a breeze, here’s a comprehensive guide to washing and drying your cotton bedding, along with some helpful pointers and things to avoid.
Washing in a washing machine
Almost all cotton bedding can be washed in the washing machine, which saves time, effort and water. It’s always best to wash cotton bedding on a delicate cycle, using cold or warm water and a mild detergent.
With these basic tips in mind, here’s how to wash specific cotton bedding items in the washing machine:
- Sheets and pillowcases: In medium or large washing machines, cotton sheets and pillowcases can be washed in the same cycle.
- Duvet covers: Larger cotton items, such as duvet covers, bed covers and blankets, are best washed alone to avoid overloading the machine.
- Duvet inserts and quilts: Large, filled bedding items like cotton duvet inserts and quilts should be washed alone. These larger items may also need an additional spin cycle to ensure all the excess water is removed before drying.
- Pillows: Cotton-filled pillows can generally be washed on a delicate cycle. For a medium-sized machine, wash no more than two pillows at a time to avoid overloading.
When washing multiple bedding items together, make sure they’re similar in colour. A low-effort way to achieve this is by dividing your washing into light colours, dark colours and whites – each washed in a separate load.
Fabric softeners might result in fluffy-feeling laundry, but are best avoided for cotton bedding. Using fabric softener can cause a residual buildup, which, over time, can reduce cotton’s natural breathability and temperature-regulating properties. Instead, for a natural way to soften bedding, add a small amount of white vinegar or baking soda to the washing machine.
If you’re washing new bedding for the first time, only wash matching items together to avoid colour bleeding.
Washing by hand
Cotton bedding can be effectively and thoroughly washed by hand. In fact, hand-washing can be the preferred method for some bedding, especially items that incorporate lace or other delicate ornamentation.
Here’s how to hand-wash cotton bedding:
- Start by filling a large tub with plenty of cold or warm water and mix in a normal dose of mild detergent.
- Place the bedding in the tub and let it soak for at least 30 minutes. Make sure each item is fully submerged. You can place an empty basket on top to prevent the bedding from floating on the surface.
- Agitate the bedding to help release dirt and work the detergent in. You can use your hands, feet or a laundry paddle, if you happen to have one on hand!
- Drain the tub and rinse each item thoroughly with cold water until all soapy residue is completely gone.
- Wring out each item as much as possible, taking care to twist or scrunch the bedding very gently, if you must. You can roll up large items before squeezing them to make this process a little easier.
- Hang the bedding up outside to drip and dry. Sunny, calm and dry days are best for drying bedding quickly.
When hand-washing bedding, always avoid soaking opposing colours in the same laundry water. Some dye residue may be present in the water, which can darken white or brightly-coloured bedding.
As with machine washing, chemical fabric softeners are best avoided for washing bedding, but you can add a bit of white vinegar or baking soda to the laundry tub before soaking to soften the bedding naturally.
Drying in a dryer
Tumble dryers are great for quickly drying bedding items without hassle. They speed up the process and can be a great alternative to line-drying on days when the sun just refuses to shine.
Not all bedding items can be safely tumble-dried. So, before you put anything in the dryer, check the care instructions to make sure it’s safe.
When tumble-drying cotton bedding, it’s best to use a low or no-heat setting to avoid damaging or shrinking the fabric.
Here are some tips for drying cotton bedding in the dryer:
- Untangle and separate bedding before loading it into the dryer: This is important for allowing the individual items to move freely in the dryer.
- Don’t overload the dryer: Bedding items need plenty of space to move around in order to dry quickly.
- Dry for short periods only: Cotton bedding can be damaged by over-drying or too much agitation. Limit tumble-drying to the minimum amount of time necessary to dry the bedding.
- Use dryer balls: Dryer balls break up bedding items in the dryer, helping everything to dry more quickly.
- Remove bedding when slightly damp, then air-dry: This prevents the bedding from getting damaged or overly wrinkled, keeping it softer for longer.
Air drying
Air drying is a great option for those without a dryer.
It’s a safe method for just about every type of bedding item, doesn’t require any electricity and can even help bedding to stay fresh, bright and allergen-free.
Air drying can be done inside or outside, depending on your home laundry setup. Here’s how it’s done:
Drying cotton bedding outside
- Give washed bedding a good shake to soften wrinkles and remove lint or excess water.
- Hang items up by their corners on a long line, using soft pegs or clips. Large and heavy items may need an extra peg or clip along the middle edge if they’re sagging.
- If large items are at risk of touching the ground, fold them over the line and secure them in place using clips.
- Leave plenty of space between bedding items to increase air flow and speed up drying. Avoid bunching bedding up on the line, as this can cause wrinkles to set into the fabric.
Sunny, calm and dry days are best for line-drying cotton bedding. White items can be dried in direct sunshine to help keep them bright and fresh. However, coloured bedding should be dried out of direct sunlight to prevent colour fading.
Drying cotton bedding inside
Drying items indoors on a laundry rack is an effective indoor alternative.
Here’s how it’s done:
- Shake washed bedding to soften wrinkles and remove lint.
- Set up a laundry rack in an open, well-ventilated area inside.
- Fold items over the laundry rack, avoiding bunching or overloading the rack.
- Large or heavy items may need their own laundry rack to give them ample space to dry
- Leave plenty of space between bedding items to increase air flow and speed up drying. Items that are damp for too long may begin to smell musty.
- Increase airflow by opening windows or using a fan directed toward the laundry rack.
Use the right detergent
The right detergent is a key ingredient for effectively and safely washing cotton bedding.
Some laundry detergents incorporate strong chemicals like bleach, brighteners and fragrances, which can damage the cotton fibres and discolour bedding over time.
Chemicals like these can even trigger allergic reactions, particularly for sensitive skin.
Opt for a gentle laundry detergent that doesn’t use bleach or strong fragrances to keep both your skin and sheets safe.
Things to avoid when washing and drying cotton bedding
While cotton bedding is easy to clean and dry, there are some things that should be avoided to get the best results.
When washing bedding
Avoid these common mistakes when washing bedding:
- Don’t wash bedding in the same load as clothing with zips, buttons or any metal features. Large items are best washed separately to avoid tangling.
- Don't wash bedding in machines with a spindle.
- Never wash bold colours with whites, or bright colours with dark colours.
- Avoid chemical fabric softeners.
- Never overload the washing machine with bedding.
- Don’t use hot water cycles when washing cotton bedding.
- Don’t reuse soapy laundry water after hand-washing dark items.
When drying bedding
Avoid these common mistakes when drying cotton bedding:
- Don’t use hot settings on the tumble dryer. Always use a low or no-heat setting.
- Don’t tumble-dry bedding for long periods.
- Never tumble dry bedding with clothing, especially items with zips or buttons.
- Don’t tumble dry large, heavy bedding with small bedding items.
- Avoid line-drying coloured bedding items in direct sunlight.
- Avoid very windy days when line-drying bedding outside.
- Don’t dry bedding in non-ventilated or tight indoor spaces.
- Don’t overload washing lines or drying racks.
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