Dry completely — but don’t over-dry

Bedding should be completely dry before it is folded, stored or returned to the bed.

Remaining moisture can contribute to unwanted odors and create poor storage conditions.

At the same time, excessive heat and unnecessarily long drying cycles can cause additional wear, shrinkage and stress on some fibers.

When the care label permits tumble drying, use an appropriate setting and remove the bedding once it is dry. Air drying can also be an excellent option for suitable materials.

Store bedding clean and dry

Freshly washed bedding should be stored in a cool, dry and well-ventilated place.

Breathable storage solutions are generally preferable for long-term textile storage. Avoid putting bedding away while it is even slightly damp, and protect stored textiles from prolonged direct sunlight and excess humidity.

Good storage is remarkably simple: clean, dry, breathable and protected.

Avoid assuming that very hot water is necessary for every wash.

Higher temperatures may be appropriate in certain situations when permitted by the care label, but routine exposure to excessive heat can contribute to fading, shrinkage and fiber wear.

When tumble drying is allowed, low to moderate heat is often a sensible choice.

Removing cotton bedding promptly can also reduce deep wrinkles and unnecessary time in the dryer.

Linen: Strong Fiber, Gentle Routine

Linen has an interesting quality: it is naturally strong, yet it often responds best to relatively gentle care.

Wash linen with a mild detergent and avoid unnecessarily aggressive cycles. Cool or warm water is suitable for many linen products when consistent with the care label.

One of linen’s most attractive characteristics is that it naturally becomes softer and more relaxed with use. You do not need to force that process with excessive detergent or fabric softener.

Air drying is an excellent option when practical. If tumble drying is permitted, lower heat can help minimize unnecessary stress and shrinkage. Removing linen while it is still slightly damp may also make wrinkles easier to manage.

And remember: linen is supposed to look a little relaxed. Perfectly pressed linen is a choice — not a requirement.

Lyocell: Softness That Benefits From Lower Stress

Lyocell — including products sold under trademarks such as TENCEL™ — is known for its smooth feel, breathability and moisture-management properties.

Its softness is also a good reason to avoid unnecessarily harsh treatment.

A gentle cycle, mild detergent and cool or moderately warm water are appropriate for many washable lyocell bedding products. Avoid chlorine bleach unless the manufacturer specifically permits it.

When drying, lower heat or air drying can help protect the fabric from excessive thermal stress. If ironing is necessary, use a lower temperature appropriate for the product.

Because lyocell fabrics can vary considerably in construction and finishing, the care label is particularly important.

Silk: Treat It Like the Delicate Material It Is

Silk requires considerably more care than everyday cotton bedding.

Use a detergent intended for delicate fabrics or silk, and follow the product instructions carefully. Some silk bedding can be washed using a delicate machine cycle, while other products may require hand washing or professional cleaning.

Avoid wringing or twisting wet silk. Excessive agitation, high temperatures and harsh chemicals can damage the fibers and affect the fabric’s appearance.

When air drying is permitted, keep silk away from prolonged direct sunlight. If ironing is necessary, use a low temperature and follow the care label.

With silk, gentler is generally better.

Microfiber and Synthetic Bedding: Watch the Heat

Synthetic bedding is often easy to wash and quick to dry, but high temperatures can be its enemy.

Microfiber in particular consists of extremely fine synthetic fibers. A mild detergent, an appropriate gentle or normal cycle and moderate water temperature are suitable for many microfiber products.

Avoid excessive dryer heat. Lower temperatures can help protect the fibers and preserve the feel of the fabric.

Fabric softener is also worth reconsidering with microfiber. Some softeners can leave coatings on synthetic fibers and affect their performance. Unless the manufacturer recommends otherwise, keeping the routine simple is often the better approach.

Down and Feather: The Filling Matters Too

With comforters, duvets and pillows, care is not only about the outer fabric. The filling has to be cleaned and dried correctly as well.

Down and feather products should be washed only when necessary and according to their specific care instructions. If machine washing is permitted, sufficient drum capacity is important: a bulky comforter needs room to move.

Use an appropriate mild or down-safe detergent and rinse thoroughly. Excess detergent trapped inside the filling can be difficult to remove.

Drying is especially important. Down and feather must be completely dry before the item is used or stored. Remaining moisture inside the filling can cause odors and clumping.

When tumble drying is permitted, low heat and dryer balls can help redistribute the filling and restore loft during the drying process. Large items may require considerably more drying time than expected.

Never judge a down comforter only by whether its outer fabric feels dry — make sure the filling is dry as well.

Periodically remove and rinse the detergent drawer if your washer is designed for user removal. Warm water is often sufficient for routine cleaning.

The door gasket deserves attention too. Carefully inspect its folds for lint, hair, small objects and detergent residue.

Always follow your washer manufacturer’s instructions when removing or cleaning individual components.

Run the Washer’s Cleaning Cycle

Many modern washing machines include a dedicated program labeled something like Tub Clean, Self Clean, Clean Washer or a similar name.

Use this cycle according to your washer’s manual. Depending on the manufacturer, the machine may call for an empty drum and a specific washing-machine cleaner or another approved cleaning method.

This is one area where homemade laundry hacks deserve caution.

Do not assume that vinegar, bleach, baking soda or another household product is appropriate simply because it appears in an online cleaning tip. Use only cleaning products and methods permitted by the manufacturer of your machine.

And never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia or other cleaning products. Some combinations can release dangerous gases.

Don’t Forget the Drain-Pump Filter

Some washing machines have a user-accessible drain-pump filter designed to catch lint, hair, coins and other small debris before it reaches the drainage system.

If your washer has one, check the owner’s manual for its location and recommended cleaning procedure.

Before opening a drain filter, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Water may remain inside the machine, so preparation may be required to prevent water from spilling onto the floor.

Not every washer has a filter intended for routine user cleaning, so never disassemble parts of the machine simply because another model has one.

Inspect the Water Hoses

Every few months, take a quick look behind the washer if it is safely accessible.

Check the water-supply hoses and connections for obvious signs of deterioration such as cracks, bulges, corrosion or leaks. Also pay attention to unexplained moisture around or underneath the machine.

If a hose appears damaged, replacing it before it fails is considerably preferable to discovering the problem after a leak.

Your washer’s manual may also provide instructions for inspecting or cleaning the water inlet screens.

Keep the Washer Level and Pay Attention to Changes

A washing machine should remain stable during normal operation.

Some movement during high-speed spin is expected, particularly with bulky items, but new or excessive vibration can indicate an unbalanced load, leveling problem or another issue requiring attention.

The machine itself often tells you when something has changed.

Watch for persistent musty odors, residue on freshly washed laundry, unusually slow drainage, excessive vibration, visible buildup or recurring error messages.

These signs do not necessarily mean something is seriously wrong, but they are good reasons to inspect the washer, consult the manual or arrange professional service when necessary.

How Often Should You Clean a Washing Machine?

There is no maintenance schedule that applies perfectly to every washer.

Usage frequency, water conditions, detergent type, machine design and manufacturer recommendations all make a difference.

Rather than treating a generic schedule as a strict rule, use it as a reminder system: perform small drying and cleanup habits after regular use, inspect frequently wet areas periodically, run the manufacturer-recommended cleaning cycle when required, and check filters and hoses according to your machine’s instructions.

Your owner’s manual should always take priority over a general maintenance schedule.

Whichever format you choose, follow both the detergent instructions and your washing machine manufacturer’s recommendations.

More Detergent Does Not Mean Cleaner Bedding

This is one of the easiest laundry mistakes to make.

Adding extra detergent may feel like extra cleaning power, but excessive detergent can be difficult to rinse completely from fabric. Residue can affect the feel of bedding and may also contribute to buildup inside the washing machine.

The correct amount depends on several factors, including load size, soil level, detergent concentration, washer type and water conditions.

Start with the manufacturer’s recommended dose rather than pouring by instinct.

If bedding repeatedly feels coated, stiff or overly scented after washing, your laundry routine may be worth reviewing — including the amount of detergent being used.

Choose the Product for the Material

There is no single detergent that is automatically ideal for every textile in your home.

For everyday washable cotton and linen bedding, a mild detergent is often sufficient.

For silk and other delicate materials, choose a detergent specifically intended for delicate fabrics and make sure it is compatible with the product’s care instructions.

For down and feather bedding, use a detergent suitable for down when machine washing is permitted. Heavy detergent residue inside the filling can be difficult to rinse away and may affect loft.

For households concerned about fragrances or dyes, a fragrance-free and dye-free detergent can be a useful option. “Free & clear” or similarly labeled products are widely available, but always check the actual product information rather than relying only on front-label marketing.

Fabric Softener: Useful, but Not for Everything

Fabric softener can make certain textiles feel softer and add fragrance, but it should not automatically be added to every load.

Softening agents can leave a coating on fibers. Depending on the material, repeated use may affect characteristics such as absorbency, moisture management or the natural feel of the textile.

That is why fabric softener is often best avoided or used cautiously with microfiber, performance fabrics and highly absorbent textiles such as towels.

With delicate materials, always check the care instructions before using it.

And remember: bedding does not need to smell strongly perfumed to be clean.

A clean, thoroughly rinsed textile is the goal.

What About Laundry Additives?

Laundry additives can be useful when they solve a specific problem — but they should have a purpose.

Oxygen-based bleach may be suitable for some washable white or colorfast bedding when permitted by the care label. It can be a gentler alternative to chlorine bleach for certain applications, but it is still a laundry chemical and should be used according to its instructions.

Stain removers can be helpful for localized stains. Treating a stain directly is often preferable to subjecting the entire load to a harsher wash simply because one small area needs attention.

Chlorine bleach requires greater caution. It can damage or discolor some fibers, dyes and finishes and should only be used when both the product label and bedding care instructions allow it.

Avoid experimenting with combinations of household chemicals. Never mix chlorine bleach with vinegar, ammonia or other cleaning products.

Do You Need Vinegar or Baking Soda?

Both appear frequently in online laundry advice, but “natural” does not automatically mean universally safe or necessary.

Some washing-machine manufacturers may discourage certain homemade cleaning methods or specify exactly which products can be used in their machines. Bedding materials and finishes can also react differently.

For that reason, we do not recommend treating vinegar, baking soda or other household substances as universal laundry solutions.

If you want to use one, first check the instructions for both your washing machine and the textile you are washing.

Sometimes the simplest laundry routine is also the best one.

Sensitive Skin? Keep the Routine Simple

If fragrance or laundry residue is a concern, consider a fragrance-free and dye-free detergent and avoid unnecessary scented additives.

Using the appropriate detergent dose and ensuring thorough rinsing can be just as important as choosing the product itself.

An extra rinse may be useful in some situations if permitted by your washer and appropriate for the item, particularly when detergent residue is a concern.

If skin irritation persists, however, laundry products may not necessarily be the cause. Persistent or significant symptoms are better discussed with a healthcare professional rather than solved through increasingly complicated laundry experiments.

Read Beyond the Front Label

Packaging is designed to sell products. The information on the back tells you how to use them.

Before choosing a laundry product, look for:

fabric compatibility • dosage instructions • washer compatibility • fragrance and dye information • warnings • intended use

If you use a high-efficiency washer, choose a detergent suitable for HE machines and follow the washer manufacturer’s recommendations.

The best laundry product is not necessarily the strongest, most fragrant or most expensive one.

It is the one that cleans effectively while being appropriate for your bedding, your washing machine and your household.

Sort by More Than Just Color

Separating whites and dark colors is useful, but bedding can also benefit from being sorted by fabric type, weight and construction.

Avoid washing delicate sheets or pillowcases with heavy garments, rough fabrics or items with exposed hooks and zippers.

Very different materials may also require different temperatures, cycles and spin settings, making separate loads the better option.

Before washing duvet covers and pillowcases, check for any manufacturer instructions regarding zippers, buttons or closures.

Choose the Cycle for the Bedding — Not Out of Habit

It is tempting to use the same washing-machine program for everything.

Instead, consider what is actually inside the drum.

Durable everyday cotton bedding may tolerate a normal cycle when the care label permits it. More delicate materials may benefit from a gentle or delicate cycle with less mechanical action.

Bulky bedding may require a dedicated bedding or bulky-items cycle if your washer provides one.

And remember: a cycle called “Bedding” does not override the care label on the product itself.

Choose Water Temperature With a Purpose

Hotter water is not automatically better.

For many washable bedding items, cool or warm water provides effective routine cleaning while reducing unnecessary exposure to heat. Other products or specific situations may call for different temperatures.

Instead of choosing the hottest setting available, ask a simpler question:

What temperature does this particular item actually require?

Start with the care label, then select the appropriate washer setting.

This is especially important for delicate fibers, dark or strongly colored textiles and products that may be susceptible to shrinkage.

Spin Speed: Faster Isn’t Always Better

Spin speed is one of the most overlooked parts of bedding care.

A higher spin speed extracts more water, which can shorten drying time. But maximum RPM is not automatically the best choice for every load.

High-speed spinning can increase wrinkling and mechanical stress on certain fabrics. Large bedding items can also become unevenly distributed inside the drum, causing the washer to rebalance the load or vibrate excessively.

As a general principle, use the lowest spin speed that removes enough water effectively while remaining appropriate for the fabric.

Durable cotton bedding may tolerate medium to higher spin speeds when permitted by the care instructions. Linen often benefits from a more moderate approach, while silk and other delicate textiles generally require lower spin speeds or a dedicated delicate program.

Synthetic materials and lyocell products should also be treated according to their individual care labels rather than automatically receiving the washer’s maximum spin.

With down and feather products, follow the item’s instructions carefully and make sure the machine is suitable for the size of the load.

Think of spin speed as a balance:

Enough to remove excess water — not simply as fast as the machine can go.

Remove Wet Bedding Promptly

When the cycle finishes, take the bedding out.

Leaving damp textiles sitting inside the washer for extended periods creates a warm, humid environment and can contribute to unpleasant odors. It also encourages deep creasing and leaves the inside of the washer wet for longer than necessary.

If you cannot dry the load immediately, at least remove the bedding from the machine and allow it to remain loose rather than compressed inside the drum.

This tiny habit costs almost nothing and can make a noticeable difference.

Dry With the Same Care You Used to Wash

A careful wash can be undone by unnecessarily aggressive drying.

Check the care label before using a tumble dryer. When machine drying is permitted, choose an appropriate heat setting and avoid continuing the cycle far beyond the point at which the bedding is dry.

For some materials, air drying is an excellent alternative.

Large items such as comforters and duvets require particular attention. Their surface may feel dry while moisture remains deeper inside the filling.

Before storing or returning any bedding to the bed, make sure it is completely dry.

A Few Small Habits Make a Big Difference

Good bedding care does not require perfection.

Use the correct amount of detergent. Pretreat stains rather than repeatedly washing an entire item. Consider an extra rinse when appropriate if detergent residue remains a problem. Keep incompatible fabrics and heavy hardware away from delicate textiles.

And above all, avoid choosing the most aggressive setting simply because it seems more powerful.

Laundry is not about using the maximum amount of detergent, heat, water or spin speed.

It is about using what the textile actually needs.