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Nothing is better than a fresh and cosy bed to keep warm in during winter, but the temperature you should wash your bedding is often hotly debated.
Saving money on energy bills can be a struggle in wintertime which means many people opt to wash laundry on the fastest cycle possible
However, it is important to wash bedding at a high enough temperature to kill germs as otherwise sheets can accumulate bacteria from sweat, dead skin cells, and other body oils.
Trying to save money while also keeping your bed hygienic can be difficult, but Lianne Shoolbread, an expert from Soak & Sleep, has shared that bedding does not need to be washed at an extremely high temperature of 90C or 60C.
Lianne said: “Most fabrics can be washed at a warm temperature of 40C as this helps to remove dirt, natural body oils and takes care of germs.
“Silk bed sheets should be washed at a lower temperature of 30C with a mild, non-biological detergent, or a silk specialist washing detergent.”
Washing 40C is the best temperature to wash bedding routinely as it uses far less energy than washing at a higher temperature so it is cost-effective.
A 40-degree wash will be sufficient for getting sheets clean if they are only slightly dirty or if you are washing them routinely for everyday use.
However, it is better to wash at a hotter temperature (60C or higher) if you have been sick to kill viruses in the fabric, eliminate dust mites and for any sheets that have stubborn stains that will not clean out.
Always make sure you check the label of your bedding to see what the manufacturer advises and make sure to always wash and change bedding weekly to get rid of any bacteria.
Lianne said: “We understand that it’s not always convenient to wash your bedding this frequently so having spare bedding is extremely helpful. Simply swap the sets once a week and add them to the wash load when it’s most suitable for you.
“White sheets should be washed once a week to keep them looking crisp and to prevent a build-up of stains.”
Duvets only need to be washed every six to 12 months and should be washed at 60C due to how thick the material is, and bigger duvets with a higher tog may need to get professionally cleaned rather than risk putting it in the washing machine.
Pillows should be washed every three to six months so they stay hygienic, and are fairly easy to keep clean as like sheets, they can also be washed at a lower temperature.
Lianne said: “You can still wash your pillow from home at a low 30 [or] 40 temperature. Just try to avoid overloading your washing machine, and make sure it is 100 percent bone dry to avoid any ruining of the fill.”
If you take the time to wash bedding properly at the right temperature then not only will be save money this winter but your bed will feel luxurious so you can enjoy a comfortable night’s rest this winter.
