Bedding Golden Rules!!

Well, at least the golden rules of Martha Stewart…and some I have adopted too!

As you know, my dear readers….the Captain and I recently entertained our wonderful grand daughter and her fiance.

And as with the departure of guests….one must clean bedding and set up the bedroom with the en-suite bathroom for the next guests.

As I was pulling towels from the shower curtain rod and dissembling the bedding, I smiled to myself that my daughter has taught my grand daughter well. (Kudos! Only Daughter)!

The rooms looked almost like they did when the kids arrived. 🙂 The pretty white towels were untouched hanging on the racks and they had used towels from the linen closet! 😉 AND the bed was made up and not a bit of clutter anywhere!

I made my way to the laundry room with queen sized sheets, shams, pillows, towels, comforters, etc… and began the task of washing bedding.

I then remembered an article that I had taped to the inside of one of my Utility room cabinet doors, years before….regarding the washing and dry cleaning of bedding….and it was written by none other than, Martha Stewart.

So I will note a few of her “suggestions”….because who better than Martha would know so much about simple laundering of pillows, etc.

Martha’s Golden Rules of Laundering Bedding:

Although some experts recommend professional dry-cleaning for down and other fluffy bedding items, it is generally safe to wash them, either in the machine on gentle cycle or by hand. For more tips, “Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook” explains how to keep your pillows and comforters looking like new.
Whether made of natural fibers (such as down) or synthetic materials (often polyester), most pillows can be washed in the machine. They should be cleaned every three to six months to remove mold, bacteria, and odors. Read instructions on the tag to make sure the pillow is not dry-clean only.
Washing Pillows: It’s best to use a front-loading washer, since pillows tend to float and stay dry in spots in a top-loading machine. Set the machine on the gentlest cycle, using warm water; add a small amount of a mild liquid detergent (powder detergent may leave a residue), then fill the tub loosely with your pillows. Repeat the rinse cycle to remove detergent completely.
Drying Pillows: Most can go into a dryer except for those made of foam, which can melt. For such pillows, dry them on a rack or a clothesline.

Before You Wash Your Blankets: Shake the blanket outdoors to remove any dust and loose dirt. If the blanket has not been washed before, test for colorfastness. Use a wet cotton swab to moisten a small section near the edge of the blanket; blot the spot with a clean white cloth. If the color does not bleed onto the cloth, the blanket is safe to wash.

Washing Blankets by Machine: Most cotton blankets and those made of synthetics and blends can be washed in the machine; see the label for instructions. Many other blankets can be washed safely by hand at home — even wool, cashmere, and mohair.

Washing Blankets by Hand: Fill a tub or deep sink with cool water and mild detergent. Then add the blanket, swishing it through the water. Do not use hot water on a wool blanket, or the weave might shrink or warp, causing a wavy surface. Soak the blanket for up to thirty minutes if very soiled. Drain the water and gently press out excess sudsy water. Fill the tub or sink with cool water. Swish the blanket around. Drain, rinse again, and repeat until all the soap is gone and the water is clear.

Drying Blankets: Do not wring! Instead, press out excess water, then roll the blanket between clean, dry towels to remove as much water as possible. Replace the towels often as they become wet, and turn the blanket over frequently.

Airing Out: Hanging your pillows and comforters out on a clothesline several times per year can keep them smelling fresh and minimize the need for laundering.

So there you have it my dear readers…just in case you needed advice on doing the laundry!