Bedding 101

Regular treatment:

Your bed is the most important piece of furniture in your room. Dress it with beautiful, freshly laundered linens in pleasing hues and patterns. How often you wash your sheets is a personal preference. However it’s a good idea to launder them weekly to remove dirt and dust. Use warm water rather than hot to avoid shrink fibers. If your sheets feature delicate trim, check the care label before washing.

When dealing with tough stains, use oxygenated bleach on whites and light colors. If you are concerned about spots in your bedding, better to choose white linens.

Store:

Keep spare sheets neatly folded in a cool dry closet or drawer. Surfaces should be lined with acid-free tissue paper which helps keep fabric from yellowing. Avoid storing sheets in plastic containers, which can trap moisture and foster the growth of mildew.

Replace:

Frequent washing will break down even high quality sheets. Replace them when you see obvious signs of aging such as stains, fraying hems or faded patterns.

Source: www.marthastewart.com

Bedding

Also known as bedclothes refers to the materials laid above the mattress of a bed. A set of bedding usually consist of a flat or fitted sheet which covers the mattress, a flat top sheets either a blanket, quilt or duvet, bed cover and a number of pillows and bolster.

Bed sheet

A rectangular cloth used to cover a mattress. It come in two main varieties: flat and fitted. A flat sheet is simply a rectangular sheet of cloth. As for fitted sheet has its four corners fitted with elastic. Common material used for bed sheet are cotton, linen, satin, silk, rayon, bamboo.

Bed cover

A bed cover, often decorative, with sides that go to or near the floor. It protects bedding during daytime. Some people use it for blanket.

Mattress protector

Also known as a mattress pad, mattress topper or underpad. Typically used underneath a fitted sheet to add comfort, protect against allergies and protect the mattress

Thread count

The number of threads per square inch of material. In general the higher the thread count the softer the sheet (200-400 is fine). But the weave and type of thread may affect the touch of the material. Yarn quality also plays part in the look and feel of sheets. Cotton quality matters more. Look for 100% combed cotton which produces a finer sheet.

Quilt/duvet cover

A decorative and protective covering for a duvet. Most duvet covers have a button or tie closure at one end. Quilt/duvet cover sold separately with the duvet inserter.

From soft bamboo sheets to luxurious cotton duvets, the option of bedding fabric have grown in a recent years. Choose the one that suits your needs and comfort. (more…)