Bedding lasts longer when it is washed properly, and most of what shortens its life is heat.
The fabrics
- Percale
- A plain, close weave with a crisp, matt finish. Cool to sleep in and gets softer with washing. Usually 180–200 thread count.
- Polycotton
- Cotton blended with polyester. Creases far less than pure cotton, dries quickly and costs less. The usual choice for a household that irons nothing.
- Egyptian cotton
- Long-staple cotton, which makes a smoother, stronger yarn. Softer than percale and noticeably heavier.
- Microfibre
- Very fine synthetic fibres. Light, warm and inexpensive; the usual filling for a washable duvet or topper.
- Teddy fleece
- A deep-pile knitted fabric that holds warmth. Heavier than it looks, and for winter rather than all year.
- Bamboo viscose
- Viscose made from bamboo pulp. Breathable and good at moving moisture, which is why it is used for cooling toppers and protectors.
Washing
- Wash bed linen at 40°C. 60°C only when you need to kill house-dust mites, and expect more fading.
- Wash dark colours separately for the first two or three washes.
- Do not use fabric conditioner on towels — it coats the fibres and stops them absorbing water.
- Tumble dry on low. High heat is what makes cotton shrink and elastic perish.
- Close duvet-cover fastenings before washing so the cover does not swallow the smaller items.
Duvets, pillows and toppers
Check the label before washing a filled item: many microfibre duvets and pillows are machine washable at 40°C, but feather and some memory-foam products are not. Dry a filled item completely — a damp filling will mildew from the inside, where you cannot see it.
The exact composition and care instructions for a particular item are in the specification on its own page, which is taken from the manufacturer's label rather than from this general guide.