After a long and exhausting day, it is indeed a simple but deeply fulfilling experience to lie down in a freshly-made, comfortable bed. After all, a bed is not just a place to sleep in. It is a sanctuary from the hectic world, a place to relax in and to get much-needed rest and relief. And by investing in beddings, you triple your pleasure. Not only are you more comfortable, your bedroom looks beautiful and inviting, and the fabric soothes and delights your senses. Here are some tips on how to choose and care for high-quality beddings.
Picking fabrics
Beddings come in different fibers and fabrics. Use the ‘touch test’ to decide what you like best. While cotton is the most common and affordable form of fiber, you may want to splurge on silk—it’s expensive, but it feels lovely on the skin.
On cold nights you may want to use flannel, which is a heavy cotton with a napped finish that’s great for cold nights. Sateen is smooth-faced and durable, and washed linen (a cool flax-fiber) is known for feeling crisp. Percale has a fine texture and finish and muslin is smooth. Oxford is a soft, porous and heavy fabric. Linen sheets are ideal for hotter climates and lasts for years.
The higher the thread count, the softer the fabric feels. However, a high thread count doesn’t always guarantee that the sheets will last longer. Durability and comfort still lies on the fiber and finish.
Picking bedding pieces
You need to know the size of your bed before going to the store. Most bed linens come in standard sizes with minor variations, depending on the manufacturer. The variation is usually seen on the depth of the box in fitted sheets, since newer mattress models are thicker. The standard bed sizes to remember are: Twin 66′ x 96′; Full 81′ x 96′; Queen 90′ x 102′ and King 108′ x 102′.
Common bedding sets contain one fitted sheet, one flat sheet and two pillow cases. More elaborate sets come with a comforter, pillow cases, pillow shams, fitted and flat sheets and a bed skirt. Some stores let you buy per piece (instead of set). You may want to stick to a color scheme, or buy some pieces in neutral shades, so you can mix and match your bedding sets.
Making your bed
Start with a fitted sheet with a snug fit on all four corners or a flat sheet secured with hospital corners. To hide a box spring, use a bed skirt. Add 2 to 4 pillows encased in pillow cases, top with a lightweight blanket or a bedcover (either a bedspread that covers the entire bed or a duvet cover which hangs midway), Start with three to four sets of these and alternate use, so sheets wear evenly. You can also try watching this Youtube demonstration on making a bed.
Storing your linens
Store your linens in a clean, lined and dry place such as closets, an armoire, chest or (if space is a problem) a plastic box kept under your bed. Place comforters and other bulky blankets (which are not frequently used) on the higher shelves. You may want to sort sheets into sets and store inside a pillowcase, or group all the beddings for each bedroom into one stack. To prevent stacks of folded pillow cases or sheets from toppling, use wooden brackets or book ends drilled to the shelf to separate them. You can hang a fragrance sachet in your linens closet to keep your beddigns smelling fresh.
Choosing pillows
Pillows should support your head and neck ensuring a good night’s sleep. If you have sensitive skin get cotton filling which is hypoallergenic. However, cotton tends to become compact over time; down or down feather blends lasts longer and doesn’t get lumpy. Polyester has a tendency to get flattened over time. Foam rubber is not as comfortable but it holds its shape well and is good for people who need greater neck support.
Caring for beddings
Wash your sheets and pillow cases weekly and your bedcovers monthly. Wash pillows every six months (most can be washed in the machine, but silk and down pillows should only be spot-cleaned with dishwashing liquid and aired two to three times a year. You can also use pillow protectors which need to be washed once a month.
Linens are very delicate and should be hand-washed and ironed on the reverse side if there is any embroidery. Comforters should be dry-cleaned every year, and aired in bright sunlight three to four times a year. Put a duvet cover on your comforter to preserve them and wash the duvet cover monthly. Cotton sheets become softer with repeated washing. Use non-chlorine bleach and put the machine on warm setting, using non-chlorine bleach.