To find out, we turned to an expert.
There is no feeling quite like slipping into abed made upwith brand-new sheets.
Picking out new sheets is fun, especially when you challenge yourself to lookbeyond the thread count.
Credit: Getty Images
To find out, we turned to laundry expert Patric Richardson.
Should You Wash New Sheets?
“You absolutely shouldwash your beddingbefore using it,” laundry expert Patric Richardson says.
Additionally, manufacturers often use harsh dyes and chemicals when making sheets.
Dirt and dust could be trapped amongst the folds.
What Happens If You Don’t Wash New Sheets?
If you dont wash new sheets, odds are youll be okay.
(Besides, who wants to sleep on dirty sheets?)
Heres what to do.
Different fabrics have different washing requirements.
Cotton can handle hotter temperatures, for example, but microfiber sheets need cooler temps.
Additionally, wash your sheets separately from the rest of your laundry.
It can also help prevent lint transfer.
You may never want to get out of the bed, Richardson says.
Set your dryer to tumble-dry on low.
Or, if you have space and time, allow them to air dry to reduce wrinkles.
Skin secretes oils and sheds at night, which can attract dust mites.
That makes an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.
Should You Wash Other New Bedding, Too?
Yes, you should wash all new bedding for the same reasons you want to wash new sheets.
This includesyour pillowcases, yourduvets and comforters, yourduvet cover, and yourmattress cover.
Boll & Branch.What to Know About Non-Toxic Bedding.
Published January 28, 2023.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Formaldehyde | Medical Management Guidelines | Toxic Substance Portal | ATSDR.
