Wash before wear

Resist the temptation to dive right into bed with your new sheets – it’s important to rinse off any dust or irritants that might have built up. Wash your sheets in cold water and dry according to the instructions below. Get this done in the morning and your new sheets will be ready to go by bedtime.

How and when to wash

To keep your flannelette nice and soft, make sure you wash at 30°. The cold water will make sure the fibres are relaxed and your sheets don’t shrink – there’s nothing more annoying than making your bed, only to find that your quilt no longer fits in your quilt cover. Use a liquid detergent, and avoid using bleach to keep your sheets soft.

Drying and ironing

Flannelette is a durable fabric but will keep its benefits for much longer if washed and dried properly. Make sure you get your sheets out of the washing machine straight away (to avoid that musty smell) and hang them on a line in the shade. If you’ve left your washing too late then you can pop them in the dryer at the coolest setting. Get a smooth finish by ironing your sheets on the reverse with a warm iron.

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