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By Between the Sheets Blog, January 11, 2013 3:39 pm

How to fold a fitted bed sheet.

It  sounds simple but this simple task drives many people to distraction. In our video Jane Allen, bedding expert shows you how easy it is!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHVwgDR5gKw

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By Between the Sheets Blog, February 16, 2012 12:39 pm

Half a million dirty Britons wash their bed sheets only three times a year! One in six people also admitted waiting at least a month before washing their bed sheets.

We spend up to a third of our lives in bed . If you’re spending that much time in one place, it’s important to make sure that it’s clean. There are all sorts of things lurking in your sheets that you may not be aware of, and they could pose a threat to your health if cleanliness isn’t maintained. Let this guide help you understand the importance of washing bed sheets regularly.

What’s In Your Sheets?

If you could put your sheets under a microscope, you might be surprised – and a little horrified  by what you would see. Almost very bed has dust mites, which are microscopic bugs that feed off of dead skin cells. These little things live, die and reproduce in the same bed sheets that you sleep in. The only way to keep these creatures under control is to wash your bed sheets on a regular basis. Otherwise, you may develop an allergy  or even a lowered  immune system. As gross as dust mites are, they aren’t the only things hiding in your bed sheets. Here’s what you also may be sleeping in:

• Dead skin cells – Your body sheds about a million skin cells a day, so some of those are bound to come off when you sleep. Unfortunately, dead skin cells are a tasty snack for dust mites.
• Oils – Your body secretes natural oils as you sleep, which, of course, end up on your bed sheets.
• Sweat – If you get too hot during the night, your body will sweat to cool off.
• Bodily fluids – Saliva, blood, urine, fecal matter and bodily fluids from intercourse are all liable to show up on your bed sheets.
• Food crumbs – If you like to bring that midnight snack to bed, there’s probably crumbs and other food particles that are begging to be eaten by bugs.

How Often Should You Wash Your Bed Sheets?

• If you’re washing your sheets only once a month, that’s not going to cut it. Your sheets need to be washed at least every other week, but weekly is ideal.
• It’s also important to wash your pillow at least twice a year. Pillows can harbor mold, yeast and bacteria, which can cause diarrhea, asthma or bronchitis. If you have never washed your pillow, you may want to consider throwing it away and getting a new one.
• If you are taking care of someone who is sick, you should try to wash the sheets every day so that person isn’t recuperating in a germ-filled bed. If you aren’t able to wash them every day, then just changing the pillowcase daily should suffice.
• Check out our care advice Click Here

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By Between the Sheets Blog, October 20, 2010 10:32 am

Silk care instructions

Please find our instructions below for  keeping your Silk Bed Linen in perfect condition

1. We recommend  either hand washing or dry cleaning the silk bedding for the first 2/3 times will preserve the gloss of the satin and will also soften the silk fibres. There will be some colour loss especially the darker tones, buy this will lessen over the initial launderings.

2. We recommend hand washing at 30ºC. Our silk can be machined washed at 30ºC. TAKE CARE THAT YOUR MACHINE HAS A 30ºC DELICATES CYCLE and use a good Silk washing agent (many are available in good supermarkets). Never use detergents as these will make the silk fibres brittle. Fabric conditioner may be used in the final rinse. Top Tip  Add a drop of vinegar to the final rinse to aid removal of any washing agent and to give a super shine to the fabric.

3. Most modern washing machines have a ‘Delicate’ cycle at 30ºC, ensure that this includes a reduced spin cycle . Do not bleach, scrub or wring the sheets.

4. Shake off excess water from the sheets and air dry. We do not recommend tumble drying as this tends to heat and crease the fibres, again making the fibres brittle so shortening the life of the silk sheets.

5. Do not dry in sunlight or near radiators. Sunlight will fade silk, especially deeper shades.

6. Silk should not be allowed to get too soiled before cleaning, keep the sheets fresh and in good condition with regular cleaning.

7. Satin Silk may also be dry cleaned. Choose your dry-cleaner carefully, preferably one that you have previously used for silk (or one that has been recommended to you) and make sure that they can clean silk properly. Incorrect dry cleaning can damage your sheets.

8. When still damp cool iron on reverse with gentle steam, if required.

9. Use a good mattress protector or soft blanket under the fitted sheet.

10. Be aware that rough skin on heels , broken and chipped toe nails and even strong hairs on legs can cause excessive wear and pull threads on Silk Sheets.

11. Top Tip 1 – Fitted sheets get the hardest wear in normal use. Try rotating the sheet after each washing ie. Head end to foot end and vice versa. This reduces wear at the foot end of your fitted sheet and can substantially prolong the life of your sheets.

12 Top Tip 2 – To remove protein based stains e.g. Blood use a light sprinkling of Baking Powder and moisten stain and it will come away.

 Ironing fitted sheets

Have a good mattress protector on your mattress and when you come to iron the fitted sheet, put the fitted sheet inside out on top of the mattress protector and iron the sheet in situ. That way you will get a good finish at the corners and down the sides of the sheet. When done, turn the sheet over to the right side.

More details on Caring for your Silk Bed Linen Please Click Here