Linen bedding is breathable, beautiful and refreshingly low-maintenance. When cared for properly, it can last for years – getting softer and lovelier with every wash. To help you keep your linen in tip-top shape, we’ve put together this handy guide covering all the key steps: washing, drying, ironing (if you must) and storing.
Here’s everything you need to know to give your linen beding the love it deserves – whether it's our heritage 100% linen bedding or our signature linen blend fabric.
How should I prep bedding for washing?
Separate by color. First things first: divide your bedding into lights and darks (whites and creams count as lights). Not sure where your stripes belong? If your striped bedding is yarn-dyed – like all of ours – it’s color-fast, so won’t leach any dye. Just remember this easy rule: if there’s white in your stripes, wash with your lights.
Treat stains quickly. The quicker, the better. Apply stain remover directly to the mark and wash as soon as you can. If you don't have any stain remover to hand, spot cleaning with washing up liquid works wonders on food stains – just steer clear of using it on wool or silk.
Button it up. To stop everything else from crawling inside your duvet cover mid-wash, do the buttons up before loading it into the machine.
How should I wash my bed linen?
Pick the right detergent. If you like mixing and matching colors (we love to see it!), it’s important to use the right detergent. Color detergents are free from optical brighteners, which can fade colors over time. Detergents containing optical brighteners should only be used on your white and light bedding. And if you’ve got sensitive skin, a non-bio detergent – which doesn't contain enzymes – is a gentler choice.
Skip the fabric softener. Our linen bedding doesn’t need it! It softens naturally over time, so there really is no need for fabric softener.
Don’t overload the drum. Keep your machine no more than three-quarters full. It helps everything move around properly – and means fewer creases to deal with later.
Wash on a warm cycle. We recommend washing your linen in a gentle warm cycle. It’s hot enough to lift dirt and natural oils but still energy efficient – and kind to your bedding too.
How often should I change my bed linen?
We spend a lot of time in bed – an average of two days a week, if you add it up. During that time, we shed millions of skin cells, we sweat (even if we don’t notice it), and we produce natural body oils that build up in the sheets. Even if you shower before bed every night, this still happens (sorry!).
That’s why we recommend changing your full set of bedding once or twice a fortnight. This will keep germs at bay without making bedding laundering your new full time job. Having two linen bedding bundles per bed means you can put your new set directly on to the bed while the other set is washed.
Is there a nicer feeling than climbing into freshly laundered linen bedding? We don’t think so.
How should I dry my bed linen?
Line-dry if possible. If you have access to an outdoor space and the weather’s on your side, hanging your bedding outside is the most energy-efficient option. Alternatively, dry flat or on a clothes airer indoors.
Tumble dry to save time. If you don’t have access to an outdoor space, or if you want to give your bed linen a helping hand in the colder months, tumble dry on low until your bedding is almost dry, then leave it to fully dry on a line or an airer inside.
Watch out for the sun. Sunshine naturally bleaches fabric, which is great for whites and lights – but not ideal for darker shades. Keep colored linen out of direct sunlight where you can.
Dry inside out. It helps preserve color and prolong the life of your bedding.
Do I need to iron my linen bedding?
In a word? Nope! At Piglet in Bed, we love the natural look of slightly rumpled linen. If we could choose to remove any step of the laundering process, we would remove ironing every time.
The best way to avoid big creases is to remove the bedding promptly from the washing machine, give it a couple of good flicks and then air dry.
If you want super crisp sheets and find ironing relaxing and therapeutic (some do!), then iron on both sides with a medium iron and lots of steam, preferably while the sheets are still a bit damp.
How should I store my bedding?
Store your bedding somewhere cool, dry and out of direct sunlight.
One of our favorite hacks is to keep your bedding set all neatly together in a pillowcase, so it stays organized and easy to find.
Linen is a beautiful, natural fabric that deserves to be looked after with care. With just a little love – the right wash, a gentle dry and a nice place to store it – your linen bedding will reward you by getting softer, comfier and even more inviting over time. Treat it well, and you’ll be sleeping soundly for many years to come.
