To sleep better at night, we all do many things, from lying on a beautiful mattress and even finer bed pad to purchasing nice sheets. So, should you wash your new sheets before slipping into them after a peaceful night’s sleep? Before you use your fresh new bed sheets, you should wash them. Washing your sheets removes dangerous substances and makes them feel softer.
New sheets may look to be innocuous right out from the package. However, a few repackaging chemicals are hidden from view but are damaging to your skin. Know more about these chemical preservatives to understand why new sheets should wash before using them. Prime Laundry delivers great household laundry service if caring for your bedding or other items seems difficult, or you don’t have the time or energy.
Sizing Chemicals
The sheets seem clean, crisp, and ready for a good night’s sleep right out from the vinyl container. But, of course, that is due to using sizing, which is a top-coated chemical. Plant-based or plastic-based sizing chemicals are available. It’s what keeps the sheets crisp and avoids wrinkling for as long as they’re in the packaging.
So because the chemical wraps all around fibers, it produces a protective layer between the sheets and whatever may come into contact with them. That’s why, when using a naturally soft material like silk, sheets can feel scratchy or stiff at times. You don’t want to come into touch with that chemical. That’s why you should always wash bed sheets and clean sheet laundry.
Other Chemicals
Other packaging chemicals, such as formaldehyde, are used by manufacturers on the sheets. It keeps bugs and moths out from the sheets when they travel throughout warehouses and are stored on shelves.
According to the bed sheet washing service, formaldehyde also can cause respiratory problems, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing, and general nose and throat discomfort. It may also increase the risk of asthma and allergies in children. So while this chemical helps keep your bedding looking fresh when you shop, you would not want to expose your skin or lungs to it for a long time.
Considering why new sheets should wash before use helps in skin protection. A rash can develop on your skin if exposed to such chemicals and preservatives for an extended period. Make a habit of washing new sheets before and using them to avoid skin problems.
Advantages of Washing New Sheets
While the main advantage of knowing whether to wash new sheets is to avoid skin irritation or rashes, there are a few additional advantages to using freshly cleaned sheets.
Softer Sheets
It’s super simple to make sheets soft, and that doesn’t take much time.
New sheets have a protective chemical layer that can stiffen and damage even for the softest linens. The chemicals can take up to two washes to completely remove. A very good wash, on the other hand, can make your sheets feel much softer.
Air Dry
Leaving your sheets to air dry rather than putting them in the dryer is the last way to make them as soft as possible. The heat from the dryer can harm your sheets’ fibers. Therefore, hang your sheets outside to dry in the sun to keep the fibers healthy. You may hang them over your shower rack to dry inside overnight.
Renewed Sheets
While your sheets are in the package, you can wash them with your favorite mild detergent or natural cleaner to remove the chemical and shop smell. The first wash will get rid of any lingering smells and refresh your linens.
When you use vinegar rather than fabric softener, you can skip the fabric softener. Because vinegar has acidic cleaning characteristics, it will also blast away any new or older bedding smells.
How to Wash Bed Sheets for the First Time
Once you’re ready to wash your sheets for the first time, divide your fitted and flat sheets for the first time. You want to give your bedding the best possible chance to become clean and free of chemicals and preservatives.
- Choose the cold water cycle
- Fill the washer with one cup of baking soda and your mild detergent.
- Close the lid or door on the washer and put the sheet inside.
- To the last rinse cycle, add one cup of white vinegar.
- After the full cycle has finished, take the sheet from the washer
- Instead of using a dryer, let them air dry.
- If you want to use the dryer, set it to a low heat tumble cycle for the single sheet.
When washing your sheets, make sure you don’t mix the vinegar and baking soda. Baking soda, while it generates a foaming cleaning solution, reduces the efficiency of vinegar when used together.
Final Words:
You now know that new sheets should be washed before using them.
After a good wash cycle, you can sleep well knowing that your new sheets are clean and soft. I hope these washing tips for new bedding were useful! Prime Laundry is happy to help you with the bed sheet washing service, as well as your other laundry.