The Sunday Wash Guide to a Clean Bedroom

Although many of us have our laundry schedule down pat, there are certain items which need regular laundering that can easily slip through the cracks. When was the last time you washed your pillow, for example, or cleaned your mattress? And how on earth do you wash your long bolster? Below, some Sunday answers to help you out.

Once every 1-2 weeks

This is an easy one for most of us. Depending on how you sleep, you’ll want to freshen up your bed linen once every 1-2 weeks. Launder more frequently (once a week) if:

• You have sensitive skin. We sweat and shed skin cells when we sleep, which can attract dust mites.
• You sleep in the buff. Pyjamas act as a barrier to “trap” sweat and skin cells, so sleeping in the nude means your sheets get dirtier more quickly.
• Your pets sleep on your bed, since they might track dirt and shed fur.
• Your young children like to play on your bed.

At least once every 6 months

It may surprise you to know that none of these items need to be professionally laundered. Whether the fill you’re using is cotton, down, tencel, or synthetic fibres, you can generally pop these items into the washing machine for a quick and easy refresh.

The challenge is drying them out properly: pick a sunny day, or find a commercial dryer if you need extra help — these are bigger and can accommodate more items. All items should be washed only on a gentle cycle. Some washing machines also have a “bedding cycle” to accommodate the laundering of larger items.

• Pillows: wash two at a time for balance in your washing machine. We like to wash with cold water to conserve energy, though washing with hot water is advisable if you need to disinfect your pillows.
• Bolsters: Do not wash your bolsters in the machine if there are rips or tears, as this can result in a fluff fiasco should the bolster come apart during the wash. Wash one at a time if your bolster is relatively bulky, and add towels to the washing machine to help balance the load. You may want to add a rinse cycle if your bolster fluffier. Alternatively, you can also soak your bolsters in the bathtub if you have one. Reshape the bolster when it’s out of the machine before drying.
• Duvet inserts: Our Sunday Duvet Inserts are filled with tencel, which is lighter and thinner than polyester, and made in a close-loop production process from sustainably sourced natural wood. It’s also designed to be laundered at home for easy care! Use about half the detergent than you would a normal wash. Add a rinse cycle if it still feels soapy after.

At least once every 6 months

If budget allows, splash out on a professional deep clean once every year. If not, a little muscle and a lot of patience can go a long way with your mattress maintenance!

• First, use an upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner and go over the entire mattress, including the sides.
• Spot clean stains with a stain remover. Mattresses aren’t meant to be soaked in moisture, so use as little liquid as possible when doing this. To remove biological stains from blood, pee, and vomit, blot with an enzyme cleaner (spritzed onto a cloth), and blot with cold water after. Stains are best removed as quickly as you notice them, so check regularly when you’re changing your sheets.
• Want an extra deep home clean? Sprinkle baking soda all over the top of your mattress and leave for a few hours. This helps absorb moisture and odour.
• Do a final vacuum to remove the baking soda.
• Flip or rotate your mattress if you need to.