Your bed is where you begin and end the day, so greening and taking proper care of your beloved friend is essential for a good nights sleep. One of my favorite things to do is sleep. I’m always the first to fall alseep and wish I could be the last to wake up! Dark movies theaters? I don’t waste my money anymore. As much I love to sleep I know I don’t care for my bed and it’s components like I should.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, a bedroom that is cool, dark, and quiet, fosters a more restful nights sleep. To preserve your bed and care for it as you should, proper laundering is a must. That being said, here are tips to keeping your bed clean and green…
Washing
1. Sheets. It’s a good idea to wash your sheets weekly to remove the dirt and dust (yuck). Be sure to wash printed and colored pillowcases inside out to protect the color. To prolong the life of your sheets, alternate sets between washing…bonus, you’ll be able to make the bed up while you wash.
2. Pillows. To keep allergens and hair and body oil at bay, protect them with a pillow protector (it’s a zippered cover that goes on under the case). Even with the cover, your pillows should be washed at least twice a year; the covers once a month. Use a liquid detergent rather then powder, which could leave a residue. Run pillows through the rinse cycle twice to ensure they’re rinsed fully.
3. Mattress. Just like your pillows, the best way to protect your mattress from allergy-causing dust is with a mattress cover. You should wash your matress cover every month or so.To maintain a healthy mattress it’s always a good idea to flip from end-to-end seasonally to ensure that the weight is evenly distributed across the bed.
4. Comforter. Comforter covers should be washed weekly if you don’t use a top sheet, and monthly if you use a top sheet. Wash your actual comforter at least once a year. If you simply use a decorative comforter than wash as frequently as you would a comforter cover.
Drying
1. Sheets. Dry your sheets according to the label. To avoid wrinkles remove them from them before they are fully dry.
2. Pillows. You don’t want any dampness left in the pillow, as this may cause mold. Ensure that your pillows are completely dry. To keep your pillows extra fluffy, throw a couple of tennis balls in the dyer with them. (wrapped in clean white socks of course, you don’t want “tennis ball green” pillows!)
3. Mattress. Well, not that you would be drying the actual mattress…but the follow the manufacture directions on your mattress cover to dry it.
4. Comforter. Like the pillows it’s important to make sure the comforter is completley dry to avoid mold and mildew. If your washer and dryer can’t handle your large comforter take them to the cleaners for a professional clean.
Storing
1. Sheets. Keep your spare sheets neetly folded in a cool dry closet or drawer. To avoid yellowing, line the surface you store them with acid free tissue paper. Avoid storing your sheets in plastic containers which can trap moisture causing mildew and mold.
2. Pillows. Well, the bed is always the best choice. For those extra pillows its best to keep them in a cool dry place.
3. Mattress. I doubt any of you are storing a mattress soemwhere in your house other than a bed…
4. Comforter . Like your sheets and pillows, store you extra comforters in a cool dry place, and avoid plastic containers!
Knowing when to replace
1. Sheets. Frequent washing will break down even the most expensive sheets Replace them when you start to see those obivous signs of age.
2. Pillows. With regular care, you pillows can last you many years.
3. Mattress. A high quality mattress will last you 25-50 years (wow!). A midrange mattress will last about 8-10 years. YOu will know when it is time to replace your mattress, a stiff back will be and indicator it’s time to start shopping for a new one.
4. Comforter . Surprisingly, your comforter will last 15-25 years with the proper care. Replace it, whens it start to look limp, or if it starts to leak bits of filling.
That may sound like a lot of laundering, but as much as I hate to do laundry a clean and healthy bed is more important. Here’s to a good nights sleep!
How about your guys how do you keep your bed green and clean?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
so informative!
I LOVE the bedding in these pics, where are they from??
Don’t they just look so soft and inviting. The bedding is from various places; Coyuchi, Eco Sleep Shop, Amenity, and Viva Terra. If you click on the picture it will bring you to the specific site where you can find the bedding. Glad you enjoyed it!
OOOOOH! I’m an advocate of a clean and well kept bed! I love this!
You should do a post on safe and green laundry detergents, fabric softeners, dryer sheets, etc!
Okay, I am the self proclaimed laundry “queen”. Kinda sick, but I love to do laundry! I’m going to give myself an A+ in the clean bedding department. I even have organic sheets from West Elm.