How to Properly Wash, Store and Care for Bed Linens

Linen is a natural material that's made of flax. It's considered to be the best material for bedding that you can buy. What's so special about linen? It's colorfast, durable, non-allergenic, anti-static, and it's one fabric that breathes. Linen wicks moisture away from your body, according to ilovelinen.com, making you more comfortable as you sleep. Linen doesn't stretch. It has a shiny, attractive sheen. The more you use and wash this material, the softer it becomes. To help keep them in their best shape and last longer, you have to know how to properly wash, store, and care for bed linens.

How to Wash and Dry Bed Linens

Note: Read and follow the care instructions on the linens in order to achieve the best results.

Never wash your bed linens in hot water. Use cold water only. You can use your regular detergent, but a gentle product works the best. Harsh chemicals can turn bed linens yellow and damage the fabric. Too much detergent can make linens feel rough. Use only a third of the amount you normally use. Set your washing machine to the "Gentle" cycle to wash bed linens.

Never wash your bed linens with chlorine bleach. Not only will bleach fade the color, but it will also weaken the fibers, according to sierratradingpost.com. To remove stains from bed linens, choose a product like Le Blanc® Linenwash®. It's a cold-water detergent that can remove stubborn stains such as coffee, blood, red wine, lipstick, grease and more.

To properly wash your bed linens, skip the fabric softener as well. It weakens the natural flax fibers. Fabric softener also interferes with the fabric's ability to absorb moisture.

Set your clothes dryer to "Low" heat for linens. Be careful not to over dry. Remove your bed linens from the dryer right away to avoid wrinkles.

How to Store Bed Linens

Fold bed linens and store them in a cool, dry place, according to beddingcare.com. Avoid placing linen on shelves, or in drawers, that are made with wood that's not finished. The resins from the wood can stain your bed linens.

Rotate your supply of linens so each set wears evenly.

Resources
http://www.ilovelinen.com/How-to-choose-luxury-bed-linen.html
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/lp2/bedding-guide.html
http://www.beddingcare.com/content/know_about_linens.htm