Bedding Sets

This guide is designed to provide a quick and easy reference for tips on how to care for your bedding. Following a few simple steps to preserve the quality of your comforters, duvets, sheets, and other bed linens will result in long-lasting and beautiful bedding. The information provided covers general bedding care and maintenance. Please adhere to the specific care instructions provided by the manufacturer of your bed linens if there are any discrepancies.

Before you first wash your bed linens, you will need to determine the type of fabric involved. Most manufacturers will place cleaning codes on fabrics, usually on the manufacturer's label. Here is a reference list of those cleaning codes:

• WS: This fabric may be cleaned with water-based cleaning agents and foams, as well as with mild, water-free dry cleaning solvents.
• W: Use water-based cleaning agents or foams only.
• S: Use only mild, water-free dry cleaning solvents.
• X: Do not use foam or liquid agents on this fabric. Vacuum or brush lightly to remove soil.

Washing and drying your bedding may require specific care depending on the fabric type:

Cotton: Cotton is a prevalent fabric in bedding, and it also very easy fabric to wash and maintain. Most cotton products are machine washable and can be placed in the dryer at a low setting to prevent shrinkage.

Polyester: Polyester is a very durable material which requires similar care to nylon, but it is safe to line dry. Again, to avoid pilling, hand wash when possible.

Nylon: Nylon is fairly durable, and is generally machine washable, even in a normal cycle. Use warm or cool water only, and go light on the detergent. Never use bleach. It is safe to put nylon in the dryer on lowest heat setting. Do not line-dry nylon linens, because the sun is nylon's enemy.

Silk: Treat this fabric the same as acetate, but be careful about line-drying as silk is more sensitive to sun-damage. Also, because silk is usually very thin, be especially careful when wringing out.

Satin: Satin made of silk and nylon should be shielded from the sun, so if you have a bright sunny room, go for acetate or polyester satin. It's best to just dry-clean satin bedspreads and satin comforters. They are impossible to hand-wash, and bunch up too much in a washer.

• Use only very mild detergents or linen washes. Don't use too much detergent, and be careful not to pour it directly onto the fabric.
• Wash similar colors on the gentle cycle with warm (not hot) water.
• Never use chlorine bleach or detergents with bleach. Enzyme-reactive stain removers may be used as needed.
• Forget fabric softeners! Buildup will coat threads and leave them brittle.
• Let the sheets air dry if possible. Otherwise, use the low setting on the dryer and take them out while they're still damp.
• Iron sheets while they're still slightly damp to the touch. When pressing monograms or embellishments, place them facedown on a thick towel to avoid flattening the design.