How to Wash Bedding So It Stays Fresh and Soft
updated 11 July 2026
Quick answer
Wash cotton bedding at 60°C (140°F), because that temperature kills dust mites and bacteria. Wash cotton sateen at 40-60°C, and linen and microfiber at 40°C (104°F). Before washing, turn the covers inside out and fasten all the zippers and buttons.
Step by step
- 1
Sort the bedding before washing
Separate light bedding from dark and brightly colored sets so the dyes don't bleed onto lighter covers. Keep sets made of different fabrics apart, because cotton, linen and sateen each prefer different temperatures. Wash brand-new, never-washed bedding separately until you've checked that it doesn't bleed.
- 2
Check the label and pick the temperature
The type of fabric decides the washing temperature. Wash regular cotton and percale at 60°C (140°F) to get rid of dust mites and bacteria. Wash cotton sateen at 40-60°C, linen at 40°C, and delicate microfiber at 40°C, because higher temperatures can damage it.
- 3
Turn the covers inside out and fasten the closures
Strip the bed and turn each cover inside out. This flushes out the dust and skin flakes that collect in the corners and seams. Fasten all the buttons, zippers and snaps so the covers don't swallow smaller items in the wash.
- 4
Measure the detergent and don't overload the drum
Add powder or gel in an amount matched to the load size and your water hardness. Bedding is bulky, so wash a set on its own or with a little room to spare. An overstuffed drum won't rinse out the detergent, and the bedding comes out stiff and still dirty in places.
- 5
Choose the cycle and spin speed
Use a standard cycle for cotton, and a gentler one for sateen and linen. A spin of 800-1000 rpm works well for cotton, with lower speeds for delicate fabrics. If you plan to iron the bedding, set a gentler spin so there are fewer creases.
- 6
Dry it and iron it while slightly damp
Dry bedding on a line or in a dryer set to medium heat. Take it down while it's still slightly damp, because that's when it irons most easily and lies smooth. Cotton that's completely dried out goes stiff and needs dampening before ironing.
How often to wash bedding
Change and wash your bedding roughly every one to two weeks. Overnight you leave behind sweat, skin flakes and sebum that dust mites feed on, which is why regular washing decides how fresh your bed stays. Change the pillowcase more often, since it touches your face and hair.
In summer and during heat waves, wash bedding more often, even every five to seven days, because you sweat more. If you're sick, sleep with a pet or get into bed straight after a workout, shorten that interval further. After an illness, wash the whole set at 60°C if the fabric allows it.
New bedding - wash it before first use
Wash new bedding before you make the bed with it. During production, the fabric is coated with stiffening agents and dyes that can irritate skin and smell unpleasant. The first wash removes those residues and makes the material softer.
Wash new bedding separately the first time, because colored sets can bleed. Adding a tablespoon of salt or vinegar to the wash helps set the color. Check the label to pick the temperature, because new sateen or linen often needs gentler treatment than plain cotton.
How to rescue gray or yellowed bedding
Soak white bedding that has grayed or yellowed in lukewarm water with baking soda and a little citric acid before washing. After an hour of soaking, wash it at the highest temperature the label allows, with an oxygen-based fabric bleach added. Avoid chlorine on printed cotton, because it can leave stains.
Sweat stains on pillowcases are best removed while fresh, before they set. Drying white bedding in the sun helps too, working like a natural bleach. If your tap water is hard, adding vinegar to the rinse limits graying in future washes. Avoid using too much detergent as well, because its residue binds with mineral deposits and grays the fabric over time.
Frequently asked questions
›What temperature should you wash bedding at?
Wash cotton and percale at 60°C (140°F), because that temperature kills dust mites and bacteria. Wash cotton sateen at 40-60°C, and linen and microfiber at 40°C. Always glance at the label, because some dyed sets need a lower temperature.
›How often should you wash bedding?
As a rule, wash bedding every one to two weeks, and the pillowcase more often. In summer, during illness or when a pet sleeps in your bed, shorten that to a few days. Regular washing keeps the number of dust mites in your bed down.
›Do you need to wash new bedding before using it?
Yes, wash new bedding before sleeping in it. This removes factory stiffening agents, dye residue and the warehouse smell. Do the first wash separately, because fresh colors can bleed.
›How do you whiten yellowed bedding?
Soak it in lukewarm water with baking soda and citric acid, then wash it with an oxygen-based fabric bleach. You can also dry white cotton in the sun, which brightens the fabric. Remove sweat stains before they have a chance to set.
›Do you have to iron bedding?
You don't have to, but ironing smooths the fabric and makes the bed look neater. Bedding irons most easily when slightly damp, straight off the line. If you'd rather skip ironing, shake the bedding out after washing and spread it flat to dry.