Do You Need to Wash New Sheets?

Yes, you do!

When you buy fresh bed sheets, you will notice that they appear crisp and clean as they are neatly folded to make them attractive in their package. The purpose of this is for sizing, but what maintains this attractive state is the presence of chemicals like formaldehyde, butane, and propane. These odorous chemicals may be harmful to your skin and body, so be sure to wash your new sheets at least once to remove these chemical residues.

​First place your new sheets in your washing machine

Remove the new sheets from their packaging and toss them into your washing machine. For large bed sheets (queen size / larger): Separate the top from the bottom sheet when washing to give each one more room in the machine.

Use baking soda

To remove the chemicals on the new sheets, use one cup of baking soda instead of your regular laundry detergent. Detergents can lock in the chemicals to your sheets and make them stiffer, so avoid using them.

Place on regular cycle

Using warm water, set your washer to regular cycle and turn on.

Use vinegar for rinsing

During the rinse cycle, adjust the water temperature to cold setting then add one cup of white vinegar to the water. Vinegar helps soften your sheets, but you may omit it if you want. Baking soda works well on its own.

Dry the new sheets

After rinsing, remove your sheets from the washer and hang outdoors to dry them under the sun. Drying under the sun helps soften your sheets further. However, if you do not have space outdoors, use the dryer instead. Use a low setting to avoid shrinkage of your fabrics.

Wash again

Do you need to wash new sheets twice? Some experts do recommend washing new sheets again to make them even softer. Once your sheets are dry, wash them again, but this time using your regular detergent. Although this seems like too much work, you will be happy with the results. Dry them again, then iron them if desired, or place directly on your bed

Change your bed sheets frequently

Again you ask, “Do I have to wash new sheets frequently?” Yes, wash and change your sheets at least once a week. If you have allergies, you may need to wash them more frequently, especially during the summer months. Warm weather can cause night sweats, so washing your sheets regularly is best.

Use sheets with deep pockets

Deep pockets help make the sheets stay in place while tucked under the mattress compared to regular pocket sheets. Choose deep pocket sheets to ensure you don't have to adjust your fitted sheets back into place. You can also use straps under the mattress to prevent the corners from coming loose and to hold your sheets firmly in place.

Tumble dry the sheets

Follow label instructions when drying and remove them before fully dry to reduce wrinkles. However, make sure your sheets are really dry before you store them to avoid growth of mildew. Iron your sheets if you have the time to make them good as new again.

Store the new and neatly folded sheets in a cool, dry place

Line the surface of the drawer with acid-free tissue paper to help keep the fabrics from yellowing. Do not store them in plastic containers where moisture can be trapped and mildew growth can occur.

Thread count

Some believe that higher thread counts mean better quality, but some say that a 200 to 400 thread count is fine. It is important to note that some manufacturers use double insertion method, where two to four threads are twisted together before the weaving process. This does not result in having more threads per inch nor does it produce softer sheets. It is better to consider the cotton quality, so look for 100% combed cotton, to get finer sheets compared to carded cotton.