Egyptian cotton sheets are a simple luxury. They feel soft to the touch and provide a glorious night’s sleep. But, unlike other bedding sheets, they need special care to ensure they last. Washing and drying your Egyptian cotton sheets requires some additional effort, but it will be well worth it to have sheets that are truly soft and comfortable when you sleep. Keep these tips in mind as you care for your Egyptian cotton sheets, and you will be guaranteed to fall asleep in comfort night-after-night.
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Luxury And Comfort
Egyptian cotton sheets are the softest of sheet fabric available because they are made from extremely long cotton fibers that are rarely spliced within the length of the sheet. Egyptian cotton is only produced on the rich banks of the Nile River, making them a rare commodity. Only 8 percent of sheet sets are made from Egyptian cotton, giving a special sleep experience each night.
Egyptian cotton sheets are an investment in your comfort. They are a luxury that is worth the money you spend as they feel soft and comfortable as long as you own them. Keep in mind that it may be difficult to find true Egyptian cotton sheets as there are plenty of knock-offs on the market. Only real Egyptian cotton carries a logo of a cotton plant with a black triangle around it. Others that claim to produce Egyptian cotton are impostures and will not provide you the comfort that authentic Egyptian cotton sheets can.
Caring for Egyptian cotton sheets is a necessity as without it, not only will your sheets wear unnecessarily, but they will be rough to the touch which can affect how you sleep. Keep in mind that Egyptian cotton sheets need to be washed once a week while the pillowcases need washing twice a week, depending on the climate of where you live. To make things easier, you may want to have a backup set of Egyptian cotton sheets so you can wash them as needed without worry or delay.
   1. Separate To Wash
The first step in caring for your Egyptian cotton sheets is to wash them in a separate load. You may be tempted to throw in a few additional clothing items to have a full load to wash, but don’t! These extra clothes can cause your Egyptian cotton sheets to wear and can actually cause damage. Clothing items that have hooks, buttons, or zipper can snag the material of your Egyptian cotton sheets and create holes or worn spots that can be really frustrating. Other clothing items can cause tangling which can stretch and misshape the sheet fabric. Taking the time to wash these sheets separately will make sure they are damage-free and retain their integrity as long as possible.
   2. Use Gentle Detergent
Choosing the right laundry detergent is also a must. You want a gentle detergent that will not be too harsh on the soft cotton fibers of the Egyptian cotton. Look for a gentle detergent that will clean well without leaving a residue or creating damage to the fibers. Never use bleach on your Egyptian cotton sheets and avoid fabric softener. Fabric softener can actually make your sheet fabric rougher, which will affect your night’s sleep. These cleaners can weaken the fibers within your sheets, causing the material to be frail and brittle.
   3. Choose A Gentle Cycle
Once inside your washing machine, you need to select the perfect settings to ensure a good washing as well as some protection for your Egyptian cotton sheet set. Make sure to choose a gentle cycle on your washer and a cold or warm temperature setting. Hot water can damage your sheets, and regular washing cycles are too powerful for these gentle Egyptian cotton sheets. A gentle cycle will allow you to clean your sheets well without worrying about ruining your sheet set or damaging the softness of the fabric.
   4. Reduce Spin Cycle
As your Egyptian cotton sheets cycle through the wash, you’ll want to keep an eye on the spin cycle. Because you have taken the time to make sure your sheets have been washed alone, there is no need to run them through the entire spin cycle. They don’t need the extra spinning movement, which can save you on wear and tear over time. Stop your spin cycle once your sheets are moderately moisture-free. They will be able to dry all the way in the dryer and shouldn’t be soaking wet when you take them out of the washing machine.
   5. Tumble Dry On Low Heat
Place your Egyptian cotton sheets in the dryer and allow them to dry on a low temperature or tumble dry cycle. Make sure the heat level is low and gentle to keep your sheets from damage from the excessive heat. Keep an eye on them and rotate them as they dry. This will ensure that they dry evenly and are ready as soon as possible to come out of the dryer. You don’t need a fabric softener sheet during drying as they will only clog and put a residue on the soft fibers of your sheets.
   6. Fold, Store, And Use
Once dry, you can place your freshly washed Egyptian cotton sheets back on your bed. Or you can fold them and store them for when you need them next. This will allow your sheets to retain their softness and be ready to place on your bed as you need them. Having a backup set of Egyptian cotton sheets will ensure you can take the time you need to care for them and allow them to last longer without wear.
Using these tips to care for your Egyptian cotton sheets help them last as long as possible. They will retain their softness and avoid damage that can be devastating to a sheet set you have invested so much into. It is certainly worth it to take the time necessary to care for your Egyptian cotton sheet set so you can sleep easy knowing yours are comfortable, clean, and durable.
Sebastian Morales is Founder and CEO of Good & Bed. Prior to Starting Good & Bed, Sebastian was an investment banker based in New York City.
