Hot water or cold water? To bleach or not to bleach? What about fabric softeners? 

There is a surprising amount of confusion when it comes to washing bedding. In the effort to make bedding clean and sanitary, many people do a few things wrong when washing bedding. This can damage bedding, reduce its lifespan or keep it from getting fully clean. 

In this post, we debunk the 5 biggest myths about laundering sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers and other kinds of bedding. 

1. Myth: You Have to Wash Bedding in Very Hot Water 

Yes, hot water can help kill germs, bacteria, dust mites and other critters that may be hiding in your linen. But if you blast your bedding with 140F water everytime you wash it, you are ruining it. 

Hot water is great for sanitizing bedding and removing stains, but it is hard on fabric. It weakens it, causes colors to fade and reduces the lifespan of your linen. 

For normal laundry, use a cold or warm water setting (max 104F). It is gentler on bedding. Also, regular laundry detergent is enough to remove some of the bacteria and germs on bedding. 

Only use hot water (60C/140F) if you have to sanitize bedding. For instance, after an illness, there’s blood on the sheets or there has been a potty accident in bed. And even then, only cotton bedding can tolerate water that hot. 

A hot water wash will shrink or damage polyester, linen, silk, and bamboo bedding. For these, use laundry sanitizer such as lysol to sanitize bedding. These sanitizers work even in cold water.  

Tip: Don’t forget to check the care label for washing instructions including max temperature. Some fabrics like silk can only be washed in cold or warm water. 

2. Myth: You Need to Use Bleach to Sanitize Bedding 

Chlorine bleach is an excellent disinfectant. The problem is, as with hot water, it is rough on fabrics. Using chlorine bleach every time you wash your white bedding will degrade and weaken them. 

Instead, use chlorine bleach only occasionally and on white only. Oxygen bleach is even better. It also disinfects (although it is slower) and is gentler on fabrics. You can also use it on colored bedding. Laundry sanitizer is also gentler and safe for colors. 

Always check the care label before using bleach. Some fabrics like silk, wool and linen should never be washed with any kind of bleach or disinfectant.  

For everyday washing, you don't need to use any sanitizer or bleach. Detergent and warm water are enough to keep your sheets and pillowcases clean. 

3. Myth: Fabric Softener is Necessary

You probably should stop using fabric softener altogether for all your bedding and clothes. We explained why in detail in this article.

When it comes to bedding, fabric softener does more harm than good. It can trap bacteria and odors in the fibers, it clogs your washing machine which reduces its cleaning performance and it can cause issues if you have sensitive skin.  

There are plenty of alternatives to fabric softener. Vinegar is great for deodorizing linen (add a bit to the rinse cycle), natural essential oils add a nice scent (add a few drops along with detergent) and wool dryer balls soften bedding and reduce static. 

4. Myth: You Can Go More than a Week Without Washing Bedding 

Any bedding that’s directly in contact with your skin gets dirty really quickly. Even if you shower before bed, you still leave body oils, skin products, dead skin cells and bacteria on your bed. If you go too long without washing bedding, it can cause skin breakouts. 

So don't wait until your sheets are visibly dirty or they start smelling to wash them. The golden rule is to wash sheets, pillowcases and duvet cover at least once a week. 

If you have night sweats, sensitive skin or you are prone to acne, change your bedding 2-3 times a week. 

If washing bedding once a week feels too much, we recommend the Hercleon antibacterial bedding including the Jax sheets and Zuri pillowcase. They are made with fibers that actively fight off bacteria, so they stay hygienic and odor-free for much longer.  

5. Myth: You Don’t Need to Clean Your Mattress

Obviously, you cannot launder the mattress but that doesn't mean it doesn't need to be cleaned. Your mattress collects a lot of allergens, bacteria, dead skin cells and other gunk. 

A dirty mattress makes your bed unhygienic and can lead to skin and respiratory problems, not to mention unpleasant odors. 

Every few months (or every month if you have allergies), deodorize and vacuum your mattress. To deodorize, sprinkle baking soda over it and leave it for an hour. The vacuum the mattress to remove the baking soda along with allergens and anything else that has settled on it. 

Most importantly, get a waterproof mattress protector. It keeps your mattress clean, fresh and hygienic. Even with the mattress protector, you should still vacuum the mattress 2-3 times a year.