Wash new bed sheets before first use
One of the most frequent questions after buying new sheets is whether they should be washed before use. Washing clothes before the first use is usually a very frequent trend in certain garments such as underwear or bikinis.
However, what about other textiles like bedding? Should new sheets or duvet covers be washed before first use? The answer is yes. We explain why.
- Wash new bed sheets before first use and Bed Sheets Product
Why you should wash your new sheets
There are two main reasons why it is recommended to wash bedding before using it for the first time. The first reason is due to an issue related to the manufacture of the product. Obviously all the textiles that we produce go through quality controls and must meet certain standards before going on sale.
During the manufacturing process, the fibers are subjected to different processes -preparation, dyeing, stamping, improvement to enhance the properties, etc.- in order to achieve more refined touches and finishes. For this reason, it is necessary to gently wash the sheets, duvet covers and other home textile accessories before using them for the first time to eliminate the micro-particles inherent in the clothing.
The second reason we should wash new sheets is related to softness. The texture of the sheets varies depending on the fabric - we find natural ones such as cotton, silk or wool and synthetics such as polyester, nylon or acrylic - as well as the density of threads used in their manufacture. Based on these two aspects, new sheets have a rougher or softer feel. If we want to achieve a more pleasant sensation, it is advisable to wash the bedding before the first use since we will eliminate the possible roughness that the fibers may have after the manufacturing process.
Tips for washing new sheets
Before performing the wash cycle, remember that you must always follow the manufacturer's instructions. For example, cotton bedding shrinks during the first wash by 3% to 12% (depending on the quality of the cotton used). However, you should not worry about it, since manufacturers already take this loss into account. Of course, follow the washing, drying and ironing recommendations that are specified on the product label to the letter.
You can also resort to popular wisdom and use some natural products to get new sheets softer. For example, add a cup of baking soda in place of detergent to avoid setting chemicals that keep fibers harsh on new sheets. During the rinse cycle you can add a cup of white vinegar.
