Washing
We’d recommend either a cold or warm wash with similar colours. Try not to overfill your washing machine so the bed linen has enough room to move around freely. Don’t use chlorine bleach as this damages the natural fibres. Rinse well to wash out detergent. Take more delicate blankets or matelassé coverlets to the dry cleaners instead.
Detergent
Don’t go overboard on the detergent. We’ve found half of what’s recommended is usually enough to achieve the same results. With liquid detergent, try to only add after the machine has filled with water. Otherwise the detergent soaks into the fabric directly and doesn’t mix as well. Brightening agents will keep your whites looking whiter. For coloured cotton, try not to use detergents with whiteners as this makes the colour fade.
Drying
Check the product label before tumble drying. Cotton can usually be tumble dried on a low heat, but line drying is better for the fibres. You could always finish almost dry sheets off in the dryer if you prefer that softer feeling. Lay the linen out flat when warm to minimise ironing.
Ironing and storage
For the best results, iron your Egyptian cotton when it’s slightly damp. A low to medium heat won’t dry fibres out too much, whereas too much heat makes the yarn brittle over time. Fold up as soon as you can to prevent creasing and store somewhere dry. Don’t store your bed linen near unsealed wood as this can cause the fabric to yellow.
