How to Wash Egyptian Cotton Sheets – Guide

Egyptian cotton sheets are a luxurious and comfortable way to get a good night’s sleep. They are an expensive but worthy investment, and when you’ve invested in Egyptian cotton bed, you’ll want to keep it in top condition for as long as possible. After all, you don’t want your precious bedding to shrink in the wash or become discolored. Because Egyptian cotton fibers are longer and thinner than most cotton fibers, it’s possible to pack more threads into a smaller space. Egyptian cotton doesn’t pill, and it doesn’t irritate dust allergies, but it does require gentle cleaning. Due to the long-staple fiber of Egyptian cotton, bedding made of this fabric is durable and silky smooth. But then, despite being purchased from the best brands, these sheets tend to be a little rough and hard when taken out of their new packets. Regular wash makes them even more comfortable and softer over time. Actually, chemicals in Egyptian cotton sheets make them rough-textured in the beginning. With each wash, dry, and iron, your sheets will get softer and more comfortable. Repeated washing is less likely to lead to fading, in color or luster, of your mercerized Egyptian cotton sheets. Appreciated for their durability and softness, Egyptian cotton sheet sets are known for their high thread count and quality. Due to the higher quality, Egyptian cotton sheets are required to be laundered with attention and caution. Though these sheets do need special care when washing, six simple steps will make cleaning these sheets seem effortless. Here, you will find out how to clean Egyptian Cotton sheets in an easy way to make them softer. Of course, the first thing to do is to read the care label. Be sure to pay close attention to the instructions. That way, you avoid damage your Egyptian cotton fabric.

How to Wash Your Egyptian Cotton Sheets?

When you are ready to wash your Egyptian cotton sheet, follow these handy tips and you will be able to maintain the softness and quality of your sheets for years to come. Egyptian cotton sheets will need to be washed about once a week or depending on the climate, as for Egyptian cotton pillowcases, you will want to wash twice a week, which is why you have an extra set.

Part1: Pretreating Egyptian Cotton Sheet

Step #1: Inspect your sheets for stains

As you remove the used sheets from your bed, inspect each closely. Check for any yellowing spots, or any blood or sweat stains. If there are any visible stains on the sheets, you’re best trying to remove them by hand before placing them in the wash. It may be worth choosing an extra rinse cycle to ensure that you’ve washed out all the detergent.

Step #2: Remove any large stains with baking soda and vinegar

Place your sheets in the washing machine and add one tablespoon of baking soda. Use a cold, gentle cycle. Add one cup of vinegar during the rinse cycle. This removes stains naturally and effectively. Washing the sheets in baking soda and vinegar will also remove any yellowed tinges from the sheets. Vinegar also works to soften brand new Egyptian Cotton sheets, as they can sometimes feel a bit too coarse straight out of the packet.

Step #3: Use hydrogen peroxide to target small stained spots

Spray small stains with pure hydrogen peroxide, and then dab using a white rag. Rotate the rag as the stain begins to lift off. The rag should be white to prevent dye transfer from the rag to the sheet.

Part2: Egyptian Cotton Sheets in the Washing Machine

Step #1: Place the sheets separately

First, it’s essential to wash Egyptian cotton sheets separately. Things like hooks in undergarments, buttons, or zippers can damage cotton linens, and either will weaken the construction of the sheets or cause a tear altogether. Washing these sheets alone will prevent this possibility and can also help your sheets stay brighter and fresher. Indeed, do not mix your sheets with darker colored items.

Step #2: Use gentle laundry detergent and set to a cold, gentle wash

With Egyptian cotton sheets, it is best to use cold water to prevent the sheets from shrinking. If you desire to use warm water, it should be at a temperature of around 105 degrees Fahrenheit or bath water temperature. Extreme heat, whether it is hot water, hot air, or a hot iron, can damage the integrity of the cotton fibers and cause breakage. Delicate cycle is the best choice. A regular cycle on your washing machine may be too harsh for your Egyptian cotton sheets. Keep an eye on the spin cycle; since your sheets and pillowcases are the only items in the machine, the full extended spin cycle will likely not be necessary. Check halfway through the spin cycle to see if most of the moisture is out of the fabric. Use a mild laundry detergent or one that is pH balanced, read this information on the bottle. It is recommended to use just a little less than what is suggested on the bottle. Chlorine bleach should not be used with Egyptian cotton sheets because the chlorine can damage the cotton fibers. If you have white or ivory Egyptian cotton sheets, add about a cup of non-chlorine bleach to the washing machine. This will help freshen and brighten the sheets. Add OXY Clean can also help brighten up white, ivory, or even tan-colored sheets as well. However, it is recommended that you test a small area to ensure it is compatible with your sheets and won’t cause discoloration. It is also recommended that you do not use a liquid fabric softener or even dryer sheets.

Step #3: Remove the sheets from the washing machine immediately when the cycle is done

Once the spin cycle is over, remove your sheets immediately and give them a good shake. This will help prevent shrinkage and wrinkling. Shaking linens out prior to placing them in the dryer will reduce wrinkling as well.

Part3: After Washing

Step #1: Dry the sheets

To dry the sheets, you may either hang them to air dry or use a dryer on low heat, tumble dry setting, or even an air-dry setting. When machine drying, use a warm temperature setting, remove sheets while they are still slightly damp and hang to finish drying on their own. Use a shorter drying cycle to prevent over-drying, which can diminish the sheen of your sheets over time. Avoid using dryer sheets when drying Egyptian cotton. The chemicals can be damaging to the natural fibers. A good alternative is felt wool dryer balls, which do the same thing but without the harsh cleaning agents.

Step #2: Iron the sheets to get a crisper appearance

Ironing Egyptian cotton sheets is optional. However, some people prefer to iron their cotton sheets for a crisper appearance. Use a very low setting on the iron to avoid burning the natural cotton fibers. Don’t use the cotton setting on the iron. This is too high and will damage the sheets. You can place the sheets on your bed and smooth them out with your hands to remove any wrinkles. If you prefer to use an iron, make sure it is in a warm setting.

Things Needed:

• pH-balanced laundry detergent.
• Oxygen bleach (optional).

Not use:

• Chlorine bleach.
• Liquid fabric softener.
• Dryer sheets.
• Extreme heat.

Tips:

• If you have allergies or are washing new sheets, run a double rinse cycle.
• Wash Egyptian cotton sheets regularly as needed, to keep them in pristine condition.
• When you’re not using your Egyptian cotton sheets, store them in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight.
• Don’t add any additional products.
• Use a gentle wash cycle.
• Air-dry where possible.
• Iron on a low heat.