Whether it’s for their breathability, sustainability, or hypoallergenic properties, purchasing bamboo sheets is always a wise idea. Considering all the benefits they have to offer, it’s no wonder why bamboo sheets have risen in popularity recently. With that said, one common concern among people who are new to bamboo sheets is how to care for them. If you’re wondering whether there’s a specific protocol regarding their upkeep, we’re here to help! Our guide on how to wash and maintain bamboo sheets will guide you through the steps of machine-washing, drying, and storing them.
Additionally, we will provide answers for common dilemmas, such as whether you should use bleach and how to prevent wrinkles from forming, and give you some general tips for how to take care of them.
Bamboo Sheets 101
Before we delve into how to take care of your bamboo sheets in order to ensure their longevity, we’ll briefly go over some facts about bamboo sheets and how they’re made.
Bamboo sheets have become quite popular during recent years, especially for hot sleepers and conscious consumers. Even though they’re typically more expensive than cotton and microfibre sheets, they come with a myriad of benefits that can massively improve the quality of your sleep.
Bamboo sheets are made from the fibres of bamboo plants after being soaked in sodium hydroxide. After the soaking process, the fibres undergo an exhaustive process of drying, and are then spun into yarn.
Just like cotton, bamboo sheets come with a thread count. However, since the nature of these two materials differs greatly, the thread count of bamboo sheets isn’t particularly high and averages around 300.
Washing
One of the main dilemmas that bamboo sheet owners face is how to wash them. Bamboo is a delicate material, so it’s no wonder that some people are confused regarding their washing, especially if the sheets don’t come with elaborate care instructions.
The key takeaway regarding machine washing your bamboo sheets is that you should avoid washing your sheets in warm water since bamboo is prone to pilling. Most bamboo sheet manufacturers recommend that you wash your bamboo sheets in cold water at 30 degrees, on a gentle cycle.
By washing them in cold water at low degrees, you will ensure that the quality and softness of your sheets is preserved.
With that said, always read the care instructions diligently before you put them in the washing machine.
Can I Wash My Bamboo Sheets by Hand?
While many people are used to washing everything in their washing machine, some people prefer washing their bedding by hand. After all, it’s the safest way to ensure that no serious damage is made to your bedding during the washing process. If you’re used to washing your bedding by hand, you could continue doing so with your bamboo sheets. Nevertheless, it’s a strenuous and time-consuming process, so we suggest opting for machine washing on a gentle cycle whenever possible.
How Often Should You Wash Bamboo Sheets?
The advice regarding how often you should wash your bamboo sheets depends on the season. For instance, it’s usually recommended that you wash your sheets more regularly during the summer – once a week usually suffices for most people, unless you’re prone to night sweats. During the winter, you can usually get away with washing your sheets every 10 days.
Can I Wash My Sheets With Other Clothing or Bedding?
It’s natural that you’d want to wash all your bedding at once or combine it with other clothes to save time, water, and energy. However, we strongly advise against this since any zippers you have on your bedding or clothes can cause damage to the sheet. Additionally, bamboo sheets have different washing machine instructions than some bedding and clothes, so you risk leaving stains on them due to the low temperature and cold water.
What to Wash Your Bamboo Sheets With
You’re probably wondering which cleaning solutions work best with bamboo sheets. The best solution you can use is by far a mild liquid detergent. If you’re set on using a powdered detergent, it’s best to dissolve it prior to using it.
Using bleach is highly discouraged since it contains a myriad of toxic chemicals that will not only compromise the quality of your sheets, but also potentially be harmful for you.
How to Get Out Stains from Your Bamboo Sheet
Another common concern among bamboo sheet owners is how to remove hard stains from the sheets without damaging them. It’s normal for your sheets to stain; after all, we spend approximately eight hours on them every night.
Whether you’re dealing with a bloodstain, a food or drink stain, or a stain that’s a result of body fluids, you should always soak your sheets in cool water before washing them. Soaking the sheets as soon as you spot the stain will minimize the chances of it leaving a permanent mark. If you’re dealing with a stain that’s harder to get rid of, such as a bloodstain, using cleaners is generally a good idea. Hydrogen peroxide cleaners work extremely well with blood stains, but if you prefer natural/DIY cleaners, try pouring a few drops of lemon juice on the stain.
Drying
Now that you’re familiar with the ins and outs of washing your bamboo sheets, it’s time to learn what’s the most efficient way of drying them.
Air Drying
Some bamboo sheets are dryer-friendly, while others should only be line dried. Regardless of what type of bamboo sheet you purchase, line drying them outside when the weather is nice is by far the safest way to preserve the quality of your sheets.
There are several reasons why line drying your sheets outdoors (or indoors) is superior to putting them in a dryer. For instance, it will minimize colour loss and keep your sheets soft, wrinkle-free, and elastic.
Many people are worried about leaving the bamboo sheets for hours on end outdoors. As long as you don’t dry them in direct sunlight, there’s no reason why it would cause any damage.
Machine Drying
If, however, you’re determined to use the dryer, or you live in a climate that isn’t appropriate for line drying, here are some things to keep in mind.
Just like machine-washing, always dry them at a low heat and delicate setting. By doing so, you will ensure that the softness and quality of your sheets are intact. When the cycle is done, remove the sheets immediately so you avoid any wrinkles.
Storage
Finding a place to store your bamboo sheets is a deceptively easy task. One common problem that might occur has to do with moisture. If you place your sheets in an environment that’s prone to humidity, you might face some problems down the line. As we’ve already established, bamboo is a gentle material, so if you place it somewhere that has high humidity it might result in yellow stains.
Even though storing your bamboo sheets in a plastic container might sound like a good idea, avoid doing this unless you absolutely have to, because it can potentially result in stains due to trapped moisture.
Additionally, it’s good to keep an eye out on your sheets if you’re moving. Placing them in a cardboard box for a prolonged period of time can also result in stains due to all the harmful chemicals located in cardboard boxes.
The best place to store your bamboo sheets is a cool and dry place that’s not exposed to direct sunlight. If you can, putting them in a breathable bag before you store them away for good is an excellent idea that can lengthen the lifespan of your sheets.
How to Protect Your Bamboo Sheets from Shrinking
It’s no secret that bamboo sheets are prone to shrinkage. Needless to say, you want to do your best to preserve the original size of your sheets because any significant shrinkage can render them unusable.
Shrinking occurs as a result of the closing up of the fabric, which, in turn, is a result of washing or drying. Consequently, failing to follow maintenance instructions is one of the most common reasons why sheets shrink. The general rule of thumb is – the higher the thread count, the lower the chance of shrinking, which is another reason why it’s best to opt for a high thread count whenever possible.
There are a couple of ways you can protect your sheets from shrinking apart from diligently following care instructions, such as using the cool-down function on your dryer before the cycle stops and taking them out of the dryer as soon as possible.
How to Maintain the Softness of Your Bamboo Sheets
It’s natural to worry about your bamboo sheets losing their initial softness, especially if you’ve invested in expensive sheets. Luckily, we’re here to tell you that there are no special rules you need to follow in order to maintain the softness of your sheets, as long as you wash them in cold water and low heat.
It might sound contra-productive, but using fabric softeners is highly discouraged. Since they’re full of chemicals, they can have a negative impact on the overall quality of the sheets.
How to Whiten Bamboo Sheets
White sheets are prone to becoming a shade or two darker after a couple of months of use. Even though this is a completely normal process that applies to all types of sheets, it’s natural to want to whiten your sheets after a while. We’ve already established that bleaching your sheets can be detrimental to their quality, so what can you use instead?
The first step to whitening any sheets is soaking them thoroughly. In order to be as effective as possible, you should add some whitening product in the water such as Oxyclean. The longer you leave the sheets in the water, the more likely they are to whiten. After a couple of hours, simply put them in the washing machine and follow the washing instructions.
Wrinkles: How to Prevent Them and Get Rid of Them
We all know how annoying wrinkled sheets can get. Unfortunately, bamboo sheets are more prone to wrinkles than other types of sheets due to how lightweight they are.
There are a couple of steps you can take to ensure that your sheets get as few wrinkles as possible, such as always removing them from the dryer as soon as the cycle is done, or even a couple of minutes before it’s done. More often than not, wrinkles occur if the sheets spend longer than they should in the dryer.
If you’re really bothered by the wrinkled look, you can always iron them on low heat. It’s completely safe to do so, despite the fragile material, assuming you’re gentle with them and that you always use low heat.
When Is It Time to Replace Your Bamboo Sheets?
Regardless of how high the quality of your bamboo sheets is, or how expensive they are, there will come a time when you will have to replace them with new ones. After all, it’s among the parts of your bedding that you use most frequently. The question arises – how to know when it’s time to replace your bamboo sheets?
Generally speaking, you should replace your sheets every one and a half to two years. If you own a bamboo pillowcase, you should ideally replace it every six months.
Remember, recycling your old sheets is always an option since bamboo is 100% biodegradable, which makes it one of the most sustainable bedding materials available.
Bamboo Sheet Recommendations
If you’re interested in purchasing bamboo sheets but you don’t know where to start, we have you covered! Here are some of our favourite bamboo sheets on the market, all of which are breathable, lightweight, and environmentally friendly.
General Tips on How to Wash and Maintain Bamboo Sheets
Before we conclude our article on how to wash and maintain bamboo sheets, here are some general tips that can help you make the most of your sheets and make them as long-lasting as possible.
Always Be Gentle
Whether it pertains to the machine cycle, ironing, or the type of detergent you use, always be gentle when handling your bamboo sheets. Remember, bamboo is a sensitive material that is susceptible to damage and stains, so do your best to be as gentle as possible when handling it.
Avoid Softeners
Using fabric softeners on bamboo sheets is redundant since they’re naturally incredibly soft. On top of that, some fabric softeners contain harsh chemicals that can impact the quality of your sheets. If you’re set on using one, make sure it’s as natural and gentle as possible.
Read Instructions
Before you wash your bamboo sheets for the first time, read the care instructions thoroughly and make sure you’re acquainted with all the ins and outs regarding their maintenance.
FAQs
Do Bamboo Sheets Wash Well?
Yes, bamboo sheets wash well and are quite easy to wash – all you need to do is use low temperature, cold water, and a gentle cycle.
How Often Should You Wash Bamboo Sheets?
It’s recommended that you wash your bamboo sheets every seven to ten days in order to ensure that your sleeping environment is clean.
Can You Ruin Bamboo Sheets?
Bamboo sheets can be damaged by improper care, harsh treatments, and humidity.
Can You Put Bamboo Sheets in the Dryer?
Yes, some bamboo sheets are dryer-friendly.
How Long Do Bamboo Sheets Last?
Bamboo sheets can last up to five years assuming you’re taking good care of them.
Do Bamboo Sheets Get Softer After Washing?
Yes, bamboo sheets get softer the more you wash them.
Do Bamboo Sheets Wrinkle Easily?
Due to their lightweight nature, bamboo sheets are prone to wrinkles and wrinkle easily.
Final Thoughts
We hope you found our guide on how to wash and maintain bamboo sheets useful!
There are several tips you should keep in mind when it comes to washing bamboo sheets such as using cold water and washing them on a gentle cycle at low temperatures. When it comes to drying, we recommend line drying them whenever possible. If that’s not an option, tumble dry them at a delicate cycle. While it’s encouraged that you use a mild detergent, using bleach and softeners is strongly advised against.
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