Trick or Sheet
by Marissa Zumbo, October 2022
Is there any Halloween costume more classic than a ghost made from a bed sheet? It’s probably a rite of passage for this pagan holiday. However, since you tend to cut two holes in the sheet for your eyes, I’m assuming you aren’t going to be using those sheets on a bed again.We want to help you properly care for all those sheets that cover your bed or vampiric coffin, so you can RIP as you slumber.
Steps to Achieve Pristine Sheets
As per usual, read the care label instructions to see if your particular sheets require different handling than most. Use your favorite stain remover to pre-treat stains on the sheets and bedding before washing.
Pre-Treat
The more the merrier… doesn’t apply in washing sheets. If possible, wash your bedding materials separate from all other laundry. Towels often get lint on the sheets while small clothing items tend to get wrapped up in the sheets and not get laundered as well.
Separate
Linens do better in a front loading machine, so launder in one of those if possible. The central agitator in a top loader is rough with sheets and often don’t give them enough room to be cleaned properly. Likewise, don’t overcrowd the machine, as this will lead to a subpar cleaning as well.
Load
Unless otherwise stated on the care label, warm water is the most optimal temperature to wash bed linens in. Hot water can fade colors and cold water may not sanitize the sheets as well as you hope. Then, add a small amount of mild or hypoallergenic detergent–be careful not to add too much as that could actually cause your sheets to wear out quicker over time. Choose a gentle cycle and press start!
Setting
Remove your sheets from the wash as soon as they are done to prevent mildew build up. Shake them out and then place in your dryer. Use a low or medium setting as high temperatures can damage your linens. Toss in a dryer sheet and run the dryer only until the sheets are sufficiently dry. Don’t over dry sheets if you can help it.
Dry
Remember, you spend more time in your bed than you do in most of your clothes, so it’s important to wash your sheets at least every other week. And you can still care for your makeshift ghost costume this way too, even if you won’t be sleeping in that sheet anytime soon.
Happy Halloween!
SIGN UP FOR BLOG POSTS TO BE DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO YOUR EMAIL!
Sources Cited for Article:
https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/laundry-linens/linens/care-for-bedsheets/#:~:text=Wash%20the%20sheets%20on%20a,is%20over%20to%20reduce%20wrinkles.
https://www.peacockalley.com/pages/washing-sheets
https://tide.com/en-us/how-to-wash-clothes/washing-different-fabrics-and-colors/how-to-wash-bed-sheets