They should be washed every 1-2 weeks in cold water, using mild detergent and on a gentle cycle (if using a washing machine). For tough stains, use a stain remover pre-wash, and an extra rinse cycle when machine washing.
To wash your duvet, set the washer to a gentle, warm water cycle. If your machine has the option, include an extra rinse and spin cycle.
Wash with the hottest water temperature setting listed on the care label. Polyester blends are best washed using warm water, while cotton can toleratehot water. Hotter water kills most germs and also takes care of dust mites that thrive in bedding.
If you're just washing your own bedding, it should be fine to wash it at a lower temperature of 40°C. If the bedding is particularly dirty, 60°C will be better for killing germs. Using a cooler temperature can be more effective when using a stronger detergent or a brand that has antibacterial properties.
DO: wash bedding at 60°C or above. Although lower temperature washing is favoured for environmental reasons, for bedding it's best to stick to 60°C, this will help kill dust mites and bacteria.
Most fabrics can be washed at a warm temperature of 40° as this helps to remove dirt, natural body oils and takes care of germs. Silk bed sheets should be washed at a lower temperature of 30° with a mild, non-biological detergent, or a silk specialist washing detergent.
When washing bedding you want to wash at 60 degrees on a long wash ie 2 hours plus to make sure that any sweat, dander, dust or other nasties are killed and then removed. Wash all bedding on a full cycle 60-degree wash. Colder temperatures may not kill all the bacteria or remove sweat as effectively.
The temperature you wash your duvet at is important. Always wash your duvet and pillow at 60 degrees to get them properly clean. 60 degrees is also the temperature that kills house dust mites.
To get your bedsheets really clean, it's best to use hot water, over 130 degrees Fahrenheit to get rid of dust mites and over 140 degrees to help kill viruses and bacteria.
Is 30 degrees a cold wash? No, a 30ºC wash is generally considered a warm wash. A cold wash is below 20°C and is usually reserved for clothes that are very delicate. Washing at 40ºC is also considered a warm wash, while 60ºC is a hot wash and 90ºC is a very hot wash.
'Use the hottest water setting that the sheet type allows (cotton can usually handle hot water, but polyester should be run on warm). Towels are usually cotton, but you can check the label to be sure.
Tumble dry your sheets on the low-heat setting to reduce wrinkling and prevent unnecessary wear. Using a low-heat setting also keeps your fitted sheets fitting snugly—if the dryer is too hot, it may damage the elastic. Avoid dryer sheets, as they can weaken the material and cause pilling over time.
Additionally, do not use any fabric softener as this prevents the duvet from drying properly. Once the duvet is washed, make sure to set a rinse and spin cycle; rinse the duvet 2-3 times.
Wash in an oversize/commercial capacity washer, using a gentle setting, warm water and mild detergent. Because the filling is dense, rinse twice to remove excess detergent. Dry in an extra-large capacity dryer according to recommendations on care label, usually on low or air/fluff cycle.
Washing With Hot Water
Usually, that is washing it at 90 degrees. This helps kill the germs and bacteria that thrive in your bedding. We also recommend you hang dry your sheet in sunlight, as it could help disinfect and brighten the whites. If the weather does not permit it, then tumble-drying them is fine.
Check the Washer's Water Temperature
Hot water is generally 130 degrees Fahrenheit (54 degrees Celsius) or above. Warm water is generally between 90 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit (32 to 43 degrees Celsius). Cold water is generally between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (16 to 27 degrees Celsius).
To help prevent shrinkage, use low or medium heat, instead of high heat. This also helps to protect the fibers from heat damage, which can make sheets feel rougher and cause them to tear more easily. Heat damage can also make cotton fabrics shed more lint.
To wash your quilt, set the washer to a gentle, delicate cycle with cold water only. Add a dye- and perfume-free detergent. For bulkier blankets like quilts, recommended to use a large load capacity washing machine. If your quilt is a king size, use a large, front loading washing machine.
We recommend a 9kg washing machine or larger for a king-size duvet. For the best, most thorough wash, your duvet should fit in the drum loosely, allowing water and detergent to flow through the drum and duvet freely. Even some thicker king size duvets may not fit properly inside a 9kg washing machine.
An 8 kg drum can wash a queen or a lightweight size duvet. This is suitable for a medium size family. A 9 kg machine can wash a whole king size duvet and is the best option for large families.
To summarise, it's generally fine to wash synthetic clothing at 60°C, but you should wash natural fibres like cotton and wool at a lower temperature.
According to the NHS you should wash household linen, towels and underwear at a temperature of 60°C to prevent any germs spreading. There is a misconception that you must wash clothes on the highest setting possible to kill bacteria, but it is proven that 60°C is adequate.
According to Speed Queen, anything below (60°F) can prevent your detergent from providing a proper clean. Cold water is the preferred choice to prevent color bleed. Also, choosing cold water can make your clothes last longer by reducing wrinkling, reducing fading and preventing shrinking – all while saving energy!