Should You Wash New Sheets Before Sleeping in Them? Laundry Experts Advise Why It's a Crucial Step You Shouldn't Skip
'New doesn't necessarily mean clean,' they warn
So you've just picked up a gorgeous new set of bedding, but should you wash sheets, covers, and pillowcases before sleeping in them for the first time?
As our laundry experts advise − yes, you should, every time you add a piece to your collection.
Here's why this simple step is so crucial for washing, drying, and caring for your bed linen, and how it could play a role in your health.
There's something about a new set of the best bed sheets that always instantly elevates your bedroom space. Whether you opt for bright colors and bold patterns or calming neutrals and crisp whites, it's an easy way to breathe new life into your sanctuary, and it can even help you to sleep better, too.
But, warns Rechelle Balanzat, Laundry Expert, CEO and Founder of Juliette, a New York-based premium laundry service, don't rush to make the bed with your new addition too quickly.
'"New" doesn't necessarily mean 'clean,' she explains. 'Before sheets reach your home, they've often been treated with finishing agents to improve their appearance and have traveled through factories, warehouses, and shipping facilities.'
For that reason, Rechelle always recommends washing them first (not doing so is a bad habit that makes your bed unsanitary) to help remove these residues, soften the fabric, improve breathability, and create a cleaner, more comfortable environment.
As Samantha Shpeen, Controller and Chief Home Officer at Clean Cult, adds, there's a comfort pay-off, too. 'Washing lets the fibers relax, so sheets that may feel stiff out of the packaging come out softer and more breathable from night one.'
How to Wash New Bed Sheets: For Fresh-Smelling, Unparalleled Softness
It's effortlessly easy once you know how.
If you've got a new set of bed sheets that need washing, and aren't clued up on how to avoid common bedding mistakes, the process is simple:
- Check the care label for the relevant laundry symbols
- Use a gentle, non-bio laundry detergent, such as the Seventh Generation Concentrated Free & Clear Laundry Detergent, available at Amazon. As your bed sheets are next to your skin all night as you sleep, it's best to choose something that's suitable for sensitive skin with natural ingredients that won't cause a reaction as you rest. Always follow the instructions on the bottle or packaging in terms of how much detergent to add, and remember that less is always more if you want to avoid spotting any signs that you're using the wrong amount of detergent.
- Set the temperature and spin speed: Knowing the right washer and dryer settings for softness is crucial when washing bedding. In general, bedding is best washed on a hot temperature setting (90-130° Fahrenheit) and medium spin speed, though for linen and silk types, a cold and lower setting should be selected instead.
- Then, either take advantage of the benefits of air-drying laundry, which will naturally freshen your sheets and kill any lingering bacteria, or tumble-dry your sheets with dryer balls, available at Walmart, for added softness.
Once done, your brand new bedding is ready to adorn your bed, whether you're layering your bed for summer, or making your bed look cozy in winter.
What to Shop
From laundry detergents and drying racks to wool dryer balls and linen spray, my curated selection of products, which you can shop below, has got you covered.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
With no dyes and no perfumes, this detergent is gentle on sensitive skin and formulated to help minimize the risk of skin irritation. It also works in any machine and is effective even in a cold water wash.
If you don't have a tumble-dryer or a washing line long enough to hang your bedding on, this extra-long rack is the perfect addition to your laundry routine. It's heavy-duty and conveniently foldable for storage.
Wool dryer balls work to naturally soften your bedding while increasing airflow and reducing drying times at the same time. These extra-large balls are made of 100% New Zealand premium wool with no synthetic fillers.
This laundry detergent dispenser makes it easy to measure out exactly how much liquid you need, without any spillages or mess. It can also be conveniently pressed with just one hand if you're holding a laundry basket in the other.
With an 11-gallon capacity, this laudnry basket is more than big enough to transport bed sheets to your machine for washing and back to your bedroom or linen closet afterward. The space-saving design is perfect for small spaces.
A spritz of this lavender linen spray is all you need to refresh your bedding and leave it delicately scented. It's also Leaping Bunny Certified, and free from caustics, dyes, synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, and more.
Meet the Expert
Juliette is the Founder and CEO of Juliette, a New York-based luxury laundry and dry-cleaning service. She's also a recognized graduate of the Dry Cleaning & Laundry Institute International, and has graced the cover of American Drycleaner.
Samantha is the Controller and Chief Home Officer at Clean Cult, where she helps bring sustainability into every corner of the home. A mom of two and passionate advocate for practical eco-living, Samantha serves as the brand’s go-to expert on household sustainability.
Just like bedding, you should also always wash new towels before using them for the first time.
For more laundry and sleep advice, you can sign up for our newsletter so you never miss the latest features.
