Shopping For Quality Bed Linens

Getting the right bed linens is important for many reasons, but most of all because this decision will mean being comfortable while you are going to sleep or tossing and turning all night. There are a wide variety of bed linens to choose from in many different fabrics, so you should consider all of your options very carefully. It is important not just to get linens that you are comfortable with physically, but also in terms of style and color. When you are picking out sheets for your bed for example, you should make sure that their color and overall design matches the comforter and rest of the linens on your bed. This will make for a more stylish and elegant look, so you can rest every night knowing that your bedroom looks great.

Shopping for bed linens means more than just sheets though. You have a whole variety of different pieces to choose from, including pillow covers. Obviously you will want the covers you get for your pillows to match those of the sheets regarding color and fabric. If they are getting a little worn out and need replacing, then it is recommended that when looking either online or in the store, you find ones that match the sheets and other bedding as much as possible. If you have developed a color scheme for your bed linens that is mostly red, then you will want to stick with varying shades of red. This doesn’t mean that they all have to be the same exact color, just similar in shade and tone.

More and more people are starting to buy fitted sheets for their beds, because they go on so easily and feel great against the skin, especially when you choose the right fabric. Silk for example, is one of the most commonly chosen fabrics for bed sheets. It won’t stick to your skin in the middle of the night or irritate you in any way. It’s completely soft and will help you to get to sleep a lot faster than cotton or other fabrics used in making bed sheets. Although you may have to pay a little bit more for sheets that are made out of silk, in the end it will be well worth it.

A reversible bed cover is another great bed linen item to pick up, simply because you can flip it right over and have it look exactly the same. It means less fuss when you are organizing and changing up the linens on your bed. Make sure that when you are getting a comforter or bed cover, you choose one that is soft, gentle, yet thick enough to keep you warm at night and comfortable while lying in bed.

Eco-Friendly Care for Bed Linens

Care of your sheets is just as important as the composition of the sheets themselves. In fact, if you’re not quite ready to make the leap to organic sheets, switching to a healthy laundry detergent is the next best green improvement you can make. Why? Because perfumes, chemicals, and other synthetics found in conventional detergents can act as neurotoxins, initiating chemical sensitivities, compromising immune systems, and exacerbating allergies. All that, and we haven’t even mentioned the polluting effect detergents have on our waterways!

Oddly, perfumes are not regulated by any governmental agency. Pesticides, however, are regulated, and many chemical components in perfumes have been outlawed for use as pesticides. For safety’s sake, avoid perfumed products altogether. If you’d like to enjoy a little scent, put a lavender sachet in the dryer with your sheets.
Read the label
Choose a biodegradable or biocompatible laundry soap. The difference? Biodegradable indicates that the ingredients will break down into inert substances in our environment, either immediately or over a long period of time.

Biocompatible, on the other hand, means that the ingredients will break down into nutrients that are actually beneficial for the environment. Biocompatible laundry detergents are ideal for septic and greywater systems.

Avoid any detergents formulated from petrochemicals that may contain bleaches and synthetic whiteners. None of these packages will say biodegradable. Toxicology reports have identified that chlorine is toxic as a skin irritant and by inhalation.
We recommend
Using non-toxic, biodegradable laundry soap without perfumes, additives, bleach or phosphates. Browse our selection of laundry detergents and non-chlorine bleaches.
Make your own
Detergents were designed to clean synthetic fibers. Natural fibers can be cleaned quite well with natural substances. It’s so simple to make your own!
Laundry Recipe
Use 1 cup of plain baking soda, borax, or natural soap flakes. Or, grate pure bar soap , add water, and liquefy in a blender. Store in a tight glass container. Add a drop or two of vinegar in the laundry water to prevent colors from fading.

To brighten your whites, add 8 oz of food grade hydrogen peroxide (diluted 10:1) or add an additional cup of borax to your wash cycle. For other household cleaning recipes visit our information center.
Did you know?
Drying in a conventional dryer uses more energy than washing in hot water. For energy efficient drying, hang newly-washed sheets on a clothesline in your backyard. After all, nothing compares to the scent of clean, sun-baked sheets on your bed!

Shopping For New Linens

Shopping for new linens can be a real treat. And since you’re shopping for something you’ll see and use every day, try to buy the highest quality sheets and towels you can afford. It will be a thrifty move in the long run, since good quality linens can last between 10 and 15 years, when properly cared for. With that in mind, here are some mix and match suggestions to help your linen budget stretch as far as your imagination.

* Think about your color scheme and the effect you’re after. Are you hoping to create a soft and romantic atmosphere or more of an avante garde statement? Wild and crazy? Warm and cozy? Color, even more than style, creates the mood of the room.
* In your bedroom, your first purchase should be a comforter. It’s the focal point of your bedroom and the starting point of your color scheme. A reversible comforter gives you even more style and color options!
* In the bathroom, the focal point is usually your towels. Mix and match textures, colors and patterns.
* Mix different shades of the same color, or match different patterns that share a similar color (red and white stripes with red and white polka dots, for instance). Mixing and matching not only saves you money, but can also downplay existing fixture or tile colors that you’re not so fond of.
* Consider using sheets to mix and match window treatments. Sheeting is an economical, quality fabric, and you’ll have no trouble matching and blending colors! Call 1-800-533-8229 for a free brochure from WestPoint Stevens, makers of Martex, called The Bare Necessities for Your Bed and Bath.
* In your bathroom, you can make two or three easy shower curtains out of full, flat sheets to dramatically change the color scheme anytime you want.
* Adding more standard-size or decorative pillows instantly makes your bed and bedroom look more luxurious and inviting. Cover those pillows with decorative shams and pillowcases that complement the mood of the room, or introduce a new color or pattern.
* If your bed doesn’t have a headboard, consider buying European squares — oversized pillows measuring 26 x 26 inches. Covered with dramatic shams, they make a real statement, as well as a comfortable headboard substitute.
* Don’t forget the “classic” solids for your linen closet. Solid white or ivory sheets complement every pattern and color scheme. A mix of solid and printed towels gives you the freedom to mix, match and create whatever mood strikes your fancy. Finally, since wash cloths are often the first part of a towel set to fade, buy two washcloths for every bath towel.

How Your Bed Linens Affect the Quality of Your Sleep

More Great Linen Care Tips

Bed linens come in all sorts of fabrics and materials that require different methods of cleaning. By following simple instructions, you can keep bedding hygienic, and make it last longer.

Silks, satins, wool and Egyptian cottons all need special care. Save care instructions – if they are not attached to the linen, remove them from the packaging and tape inside a laundry cupboard.
Sheet and Pillowcases

* Wash in cold or lukewarm water on a delicate cycle
* Hanging sheets on a clothesline is preferable, as it airs them well. Take the time to hang sheets evenly, aiding easy removal and folding.
* If using a dryer, remove sheets as soon as they are dry, and fold immediately to prevent wrinkles. If sheets are left in a dryer until they cool, simply dry them for a few more minutes after including a damp cloth.

For an organised linen cupboard, store matching sets of bed linen together. Fold the sheet, fitted sheet and pillowcases, and place them inside one of the pillowcases. A dryer sheet can be added to provide a gentle fragrance. Ensure that the linen cupboard is large enough to allow air to circulate and keep sheets fresh. Consider using cedar balls or shavings, or lavender sachets as they repel moths and bugs and are more pleasant smelling than chemical-based mothballs.
Comforters, Bedspreads and Pillows

* Care of filled bedding items such as comforters and pillows will depend on the type of filling. Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions. Bedspreads in particular are prone to shrinking when machine-washed, so dry clean only.
* Fluff pillows and comforters daily to redistribute the filling. Air them weekly on a clothesline in the sun when possible to help eliminate bacteria. Consider using pillow covers underneath attractive pillowcases to further protect pillows.
* Down items require special care, and should only be taken to a dry cleaner – once a year is sufficient. Look for one that specialises in bed linen.
* Wash duvet covers as per sheets, again taking care to air them well and fold immediately upon removing from the clothesline or dryer.
* Store filled items in a breathable bag. Plastic bags trap moisture that can lead to mildew. Alternately comforters and pillows can be wrapped in an old sheet when stored.

Care of Woollen Blankets

Wool is not as popular for bedding as it once was, but the need for care should not prevent purchases of warm woollen blankets, as good care only requires following a few simple rules:

Care Instructions for Bed Linens

1. Read Labels Before You Buy

Read the care labels before you buy your bed linens. Find out what it is going to take to keep sheets, comforters, quilts, and pillows in top condition. You may change you mind about the beautiful comforter when you realize it is dry clean only.

2. Buy an Extra Set

The most wear will come to your bottom sheets and pillowcases. To try to influence more even wear, get an extra set of these now.

3. Change Linens Weekly

In most homes, changing bed sheets weekly is your best bet to keep your bed fresh and comfortable, and to protect your linens from excessive wear. Pillowcases may need to be changed twice a week. Your comforter, duvet, and quilts will only need to be laundered monthly.

4. Follow the Care Label

Most sheets and pillowcases should be washed in cool water with less detergent than a regular load would take, unless the linens are heavily soiled. For comforters, duvets, and quilts be sure to follow the care instructions. Most home washing machines are not big enough to wash full size or larger comforters. When in doubt, take your prized comforter, duvet, or quilt to the dry cleaners.

5. Don’t Overdry

Take out bed linens as soon as they are dry and fold right away. If sheets are wrinkled, try throwing a wet sock or washcloth back into the dryer for 10 more minutes.

6. Rotate Linens

Rotate your bed linens to promote even wear. The set that comes off your bed should go back in the linen closet and a new set should go on. This will insure that your linens are evenly worn.

Tips:

1. Use a gentle wash cycle and avoid using bleach to protect linens.
2. Use a mattress pad between mattresses and sheets to extend the life of both.
3. Pillow protectors can be bought and used to prevent frequent laundering of pillows.

What You Need:

* Your Choice of Bed Linens
* Extra Sets of Bed Linens
* Mattress Pad (optional)
* Pillow Protectors (optional)