Bedding tips and care instructions.
Updated 8/2020
Bedding care instructions, tips and tricks.
Over the last 25 years, we have been asked thousands of questions relative to bedding.
As a result, about 10 years ago, we started to publish most of the more frequently asked questions on our bedding tips page.
The list became quite large, so we began categorizing these tips, tricks, and explanations as it relates to bedding.
On the left side of this page, you will see the various categories we have placed them in. Simply click on the category of interest and scroll through the various articles and videos.
We like to think we have addressed virtually every question that one might have relative to bedding. We have also attempted to make most of these articles more informative rather than sales oriented.
As you may notice, some of our videos are older and shot pre 4K monitors. We are in the process of re-shooting them in higher resolution. However, the information these articles and videos contain are still relevant.
These articles include frequently asked questions such as:
Below are some of our most frequently asked questions.
FAQ
How to remove wrinkles from your bedsheets without an iron.
- To view our article and video that demonstrates how to remove wrinkles in bedding without an iron, click here or read below.
- Water is a wrinkle release, which is why there is a steam setting on irons.
- To remove wrinkles from bed sheets or duvet covers, all that is needed is a spray bottle of water and a little bit of tension applied to the fabric.
- A fitted sheet, when placed over the mattress is already under some degree of tension. Simply spray, spritz, or mist the fitted sheets with your water bottle.
- With a flat sheet, place it on the bed, tuck the foot. Then grab a corner of the flat sheet at the top of the bed and gently pull on the fabric until it is a little taunt. Then mist the sheet with the spray bottle of water.
- With the pillowcases, stuff them with your pillows. Then suspend the pillowcase by the cuff with one hand and lightly spray both sides. Now hold the pillowcase at the cuff with both hands, lightly shake the pillowcase up and down. This will create tension on the pillowcase.
- With a duvet cover, go to one corner, grab the cover at the corner and lightly pull on the fabric to apply tension to it, then spritz the top side, repeat on the other three corners.
Following these steps will make your entire bed look as if it has just been ironed. The best part is this process should take less than a minute to accomplish and can be done mid-week when your bed may begin to look a little frumpy.
How to make a luxurious bed like one you see in a hotel.
- To view our full article on the different elements used by hotels to give their beds and rooms a light cozy and inviting look, read our article/video found here.
- Decades ago, the Weston Hotel discovered that bedding was an important attribute to a guest's comfort while staying at their property. After all, why do most people stay in a hotel? To sleep of course.
- Hotels also discovered that many enjoy a simple, uncomplicated bed. So they began creating beds that were uncluttered and clean looking.
- Most hotels that have embraced this concept dress the bed as follows:
- White sheets, some may use bedsheets with a little decoration such as embroidery on the duvet cover, flat sheets, pillowcases, and shams.
- Hotels also discovered that traditional bedspreads were heavy and difficult to clean and were not cleaned frequently.
- As a result, they embraced the use of down comforters, as a down comforter is enjoyable to sle
What is thread count?
- Thread count is a simple measurement. It is the number of weft threads plus the number of warp threads found in one square inch of fabric.
- To view our detailed article/video on thread count and additional information on different grades of cotton used in bed sheets click here or read our overview below.
- Many assume that thread count is an indicator of quality; it is not. This is why you may find 600 thread count sheets selling for $60 and some selling for as high as $1,000.
- A primary factor that determines the quality of a sheet is the grade of cotton that is used. Substandard grades of cotton are inexpensive by comparison to high-quality grades such as Long-Staple cotton or Extra-Long-Staple cotton.
- Although Egyptian cotton is considered to be some of the finest cotton grown, there are also poor grades of Egyptian cotton.
- Because a garment or bedsheet is labeled, Egyptian cotton doesn't mean it is. There is a lot of deception in the market place, likely 90% of the sheets and towels sold that are labeled Egyptian cotton are not.
Are flat sheet necessary?
- No.
- To learn more about the benefits of using a flat sheet or not using one, view our article on this topic found here or read below.
- One advantage of using one is, a flat sheet provides an extra layer of protection for your duvet cover, coverlet, blanket, or other top of the bed items.
- Cleaning a flat sheet is far easier than the aforementioned items.
- Some find that they get tangled up in a flat sheet and will forgo using one. The downfall of not using one is you will need to clean your duvet cover or whatever you have on the top of your bed more frequently.
What is a Baffle-Box Comforter?
- There are several different construction styles of down comforters (also known as Duvets).
- To understand more about baffle-box comforters and the benefits of it over other styles, read our article or watch our video found here or read the below overview.
- Some of the different down comforter styles sold are a box-stitched, channel, ring stitched, and a baffle-box comforter.
- A baffle-box down comforter is a premium style of construction. The comforter is comprised of smaller square compartments that are filled with down. The unique attribute of a baffle-box comforter is that each individual compartments have a sewn-in sidewall, creating a 3-dimensional box.
- This configuration allows the down to loft more fully, resulting in more trapped air between down clusters. This air provides insulation, holding in the warmth generated by your body heat.
- To shop for the best baffle-box comforters made (in the USA), click here.
How long do down comforters last and how to tell if it needs to be replaced?
- To learn what they are and how to tell if it is time to replace yours, view our article/video found here or continue to read our brief overview below.
- As with all bedding, down comforters wear out.
- One should expect a down comforter to last between 8 and 12 years.
- There are many factors that influence the life and wear of a comforter.
- To shop for one of the finest baffle-box comforters made (in the USA), click here.
What is the difference between Sateen and Percale bed sheets?
A Sateen weave (not Satin) is a silkier weave than a Percale weave.
A Percale weave is a; one thread over - one thread under) type of weave (think of a potholder).
Sateens are woven on a Jacquard loom. A Jacquard loom allows warp and weft threads to be intentionally skipped. This action enables intricate (often tone-on-tone) patterns to be woven into the fabric.
For a more detail description and to view illustrations of these differences, view our article/video found here.
