Caring for your bedding

For bedding that feels soft and looks fresh wash after wash, we have compiled a list of best practises to keep your daals bedding looking as good as new.

Best practises when caring for all bedding material types

Washing:

• Bedding should be washed with a mild detergent on a gentle cycle and cooler temperature to protect the integrity of the material fibres and avoid shrinkage.
• Wash bedding separately from other laundry to prevent rougher materials or zips from snagging the material.
• It is best to use a liquid detergent when washing bedding as it delivers a gentler clean and works well in colder washes.
• Avoid detergents that contain bleach and optical brighteners as they will weaken the fabric.

Drying:

• You can't beat some good old fashioned fresh air - line drying your bedding in the shade is often the best course of action.
• If you choose to tumble dry, then dryer balls are a great way to soften your bedding and speed up the drying time.

Ironing:

• It is best to iron bedding while it is still slightly damp as it will make it easier to remove any creases.
• Removing bedding promptly from the washing machine and tumble dryer will minimise creases.

Cotton

Washing:

• Machine wash using a mild detergent.
• Wash at 40°c to avoid shrinkage while providing a hygienic clean.
• While cotton can tolerate hotter temperatures up to 60°c, this isn’t recommended for regular washing as it can damage the material’s threads.
• Don’t dry clean cotton bedding as it can damage the fibres and lead to a coarser feel.

Drying:

• It is best to line dry cotton bedding for ultimate freshness and reduced creases.
• If the weather outside is cold and dreary you can tumble dry cotton bedding on a low heat (this will minimise shrinkage), but do not over dry as this will damage the material fibres.

Ironing:

• When ironing cotton bedding, quick long strokes on a medium temperature is the best way to remove creases.

Cotton Percale

Washing:

• Machine wash using a mild detergent.
• It is recommended to wash cotton percale on a cold wash to reduce shrinkage, fading and damage to the threads.
  
• It is best to use half the recommended amount of detergent as excessive amounts will age cotton percale bedding.
  

Drying:

• It is best to line dry cotton percale bedding in the shade to maintain its crispness and preserve the integrity of the material fibres.
  
• If the weather doesn't allow for outside drying, then you can tumble dry on a low heat. The low temperature will help to prevent shrinkage and fading. Be careful not to over dry as this will stiffen the material.

Ironing:

• Cotton percale's crisp texture means that it isn't normally necessary to iron.
• If you would like to iron your cotton percale bedding, then it's best to use a low temperature and iron while it's still slightly damp as this will be the most effective way of removing creases without damaging the material’s fibres.

Linen Blend

Washing:

• Machine wash using a mild detergent.
• Wash at 40°c to avoid shrinkage while providing a hygienic clean.

Drying:

• Gently tumble dry linen blend bedding on a low heat and remove before completely dry to finish drying naturally outside on the washing line.
  
• Over heating your linen blend bedding when tumble drying will damage the integrity of the fabric. While line drying will leave your bedding feeling more stiff. This is why a combination of tumble drying and line drying is best to keep your linen bedding feeling soft and protecting its longevity.
• Linen dries faster than cotton, so be careful not to over dry.

Ironing:

• Linen blend bedding is best left un-ironed as it maintains the relaxed look and gives it a softer feel. The best way to naturally remove creases is to finish drying it outside on the line.
• But if you would like to iron your linen blend bedding, it should be turned inside out and ironed on a low heat while still damp.
• A steamer is a great way to soften the fibres of your linen blend bedding and remove creases.

Velvet

Washing:

• As our velvet bedding is made from cotton velvet it is suitable to be machine-washed with a mild detergent.
• Make sure it is on a gentle, low-spin cycle and cold temperature. The low-spin cycle protects the velvet's pile and prevents it from warping. While the cold temperature prevents shrinkage, fading and protects the fabric's integrity.
  
• We would recommend placing it in a mesh washing bag to protect it from snagging and to retain the velvet's plush texture while washing.

Drying:

• Once it has finished washing, squeeze out any excess water and air-dry your velvet bedding indoors out of direct sunlight, as velvet can be prone to colour fading.
• Avoid using a tumble dryer as this will damage the velvet's pile.

Ironing:

• You shouldn’t iron velvet bedding as it will flatten the pile, instead using a steamer after washing will remove any creases.
• A garment brush is also a great way to rejuvenate the pile and remove any fuzz.

Cotton Sateen

Washing:

• Cotton sateen bedding should be machine-washed with mild detergent.
• Set your machine to a gentle, low-spin cycle and cold temperature to avoid shrinkage or damaging of the material fibres.
  

Drying:

• It is best to line dry your cotton sateen bedding to preserve its softness and increase longevity.
• If the weather doesn't allow for outside drying, then you can tumble dry on a low heat. Be careful not to over dry as excessive heat can fade, shrink and pill the bedding, as well as damaging the material's fibres.

Ironing:

• Cotton sateen’s smooth feel and heavier drape makes it less susceptible to creases so will require no or little ironing for a pristine look.
• If you would like to iron your cotton sateen bedding, it is best to turn it inside out and use a low temperature to protect the material's shiny finish.

daals bedding is designed to last.
So if you properly care for it, it will keep you cosy for years to come.

FAQs about caring for your bedding

Q: How can I stop my white bedding from yellowing?

A: One of the biggest enemies of white bedding is yellowing. With all the sweat and body oils we produce when sleeping, white sheets often start to turn yellow.

Here are some things to look out for to stop yellowing when caring for your white bedding:

Q: How often should I change my bedding?

A: As a general rule you should be changing your bedding every 1-2 weeks.

However each type of bedding has a different wash frequency:

• Flat sheets, fitted sheets and pillowcases should be washed weekly as they are in direct contact with your skin and hair, so will be exposed to oils, sweat and dead skin cells.
• Duvet covers should be washed every 2 weeks for optimal freshness, they can go longer in between washes as your flat sheet will help to protect your duvet cover from dirt, oils and sweat.
• Bedspreads should be washed every 2-3 months as they are on top of your bedding, so won't be as directly exposed to dirt and oils.
• Decorative cushions should be washed every few months for a refresh and to remove any dirt and oil build up.

Q: Should I wash my new bedding before using it?

A: Yes, it's important to wash your new bedding before its first use as this will soften the fabric, remove any dust and leave it smelling fresh. What's more, it's good practise for hygiene reasons.