There’s something about fresh cotton sheets that makes sleep feel better.
Whether you’ve just bought a new set or it’s part of your weekly laundry, the right wash keeps them soft, clean, and inviting.
Key Takeaways
- A few simple steps such as checking for stains, pre-treating marks, and choosing the right wash cycle can keep cotton sheets soft, fresh, and in shape for longer.
- Adjust your care routine for Egyptian, Pima, or 100% cotton to protect their unique feel, colour, and durability.
- Wash weekly for comfort and hygiene, avoid common mistakes like using too much detergent, and choose the right water temperature for the best results.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to wash cotton sheets step-by-step. From quick pre-wash checks to the best washer settings, drying tips, and care for different types of cotton.
Jump to a section:
- How To Wash Cotton Bed Sheets
- Other Cotton Sheets
- How Often Should You Wash Cotton Sheets
- Common Mistakes of Washing
- Final Thoughts
- FAQs
How To Wash Cotton Bed Sheets
View Transcript
all right today I’m going to show you
how to wash bed sheets and the first
thing that you want to do when washing
bed sheets is to take the bed sheets off
of your bed so that’s what I’m doing so
have pillows whatnot going to go ahead
and take
the bed sheets off I’m going to take the
pillow cases off and then I’m just going
to go ahead and gather all of this up in
order to wash that all right so once
you’ve taken the bed sheets off of the
bed you want to make sure that you
separate them and not put them all in a
tight ball because they will not wash
properly if you do that so what I’m
doing is I’m just going to separate them
and then Bunch them up individually now
it’s important that you read the uh the
label on the sheets because your
particular sheets may have a particular
washing process but in general this is
what you do so I’ve separated the sheets
you can see that there’s a top sheet the
pillowcases and the uh actual bed sheet
that goes over the bed so after you have
this you have all of this separated
you’ll first have to come up to your
washing machine I have a front loading
washing machine and the rule of thumbs
is to go ahead and put the detergent in
first now if you have powdered detergent
or you have a a modern uh wash machine
that allows you to put pods inside of
the the drawer right here you can go
ahead and do that but if you don’t have
a machine that allows you to put pods in
here you’re going to have to put it
inside of the washing machine so this
right here if you have powder liquid you
could put it in your compartment fabric
softener if you choose to bleach if it
is required all right so after you put
the turgeon in close the drawer now in
this situation because this isn’t a
washing machine that allows to put the
pods inside of the detergent drawer I
have to come here and then I’m going to
put the washing pod inside of the drum
itself that is the first thing you do
and you want to do that first so the Pod
can dissolve properly and after you’ve
done that if you have any other C
certain types of detergents to put in
there such as oxyc this is what I use
instead of bleach in order to get the
sheets really white you’ll want to go
ahead and add that to the drum as well
so I’m going to go ahead and take
appropriate amount put that into the
drum and then I’m going to go ahead and
add the clothing inside of here or the
sheets inside of there now it’s
important not to over stuff your washing
machine with sheets because you can come
into some issues so going to go ahead
and put this in like
that and once it’s in there go and go
ahead and close it now I typically wash
my sheets in a certain way so I’m going
to go aad and turn on the washing
machine and so I’m going to turn this on
and I’m going to go to I’m just do
cotton normal that’s what I’m going to
do I just do the normal wash usually
some machines may have a heavy duty
which this one does or uh an option for
sheets and bedding okay if you have
those you have the option but the rule
of thumb is when you don’t know just go
with a cotton normal so I have this in
there
and then the next thing I am going to
select the temperature now that is very
important on what temperature you select
because if I had colored sheets it may
not be ideal for me to do uh hot water
okay uh some of them if you have colored
sheets they say warm or if you have
really delicate ones they’ll say cold
but keep in mind when you have it un
cold or warm it may not get as clean now
I have these sheets right here and so
I’m going to do hot okay because I hot
actually cleans them pretty well and
these are sturdy sheets and they won’t
be damaged too much by the hot water so
I’m going to go to switch to hot or in
this uh situation this actual this
machine actually has an option for extra
hot extra extra hot okay so I’m going to
do that and then spin speed I’m going to
keep it as high because these are sheets
and they can handle a beating I’m not
going to delay start not going to do
easy Iron
uh extra rinse I like the extra rinse
because it these sheets are going to go
against my body and I would like for all
of everything to be rinsed out
thoroughly so I do extra rinse and so
after that it has a pre-wash you have a
pre-wash treatment now your machine may
have a pre-wash option right here and if
you want to pre-wash you can go ahead
and do that that just adds a little bit
extra washing action for your sheets I’m
not going to do pre-wash and so after
I’ve done this I just go ahead and press
start and that is how you wash bed
sheets I hope this video was helpful
thanks a lot for watching washing Wasing
and washing
Washing cotton sheets isn’t complicated, but a few small habits make a big difference.
Here’s a routine you can follow every wash day:
Prep Before You Wash
Air the room, then strip the bed in order.
Pillowcases first, followed by the flat or fitted sheet. Give each piece a light shake to lift dust and hair. Keep matching colours together.
Need a room refresh first? See our practical guide for cleaning your bedroom.
Check for stains
Before any wash, do a quick scan in bright light to catch marks early.
✅ Lay the sheet flat across the bed or a table.
✅ Scan in order: pillow area, middle, foot, corners, hems.
✅ Look for makeup, skincare marks, body oils, and tea or coffee specks.
✅ Flip the care label so it faces out. Keep it handy at the machine.
Pre-treat stains
Before loading the machine, treat visible stains now so the main cycle can do its job.
✅ Test stain products on a hidden corner.
✅ Fresh marks: blot with cold water.
✅ Oily spots: tap in a tiny drop of washing-up liquid, wait 5 to 10 minutes.
✅ Sweat or yellowing: pat on a bicarb-and-water paste, rest, then rinse from the back.
✅ Tea or coffee: soak 15 minutes in cool water with a little oxygen bleach, then rinse.
✅ Makeup: work in a small amount of liquid detergent, then rinse.
Remember to blot and lift using a clean, absorbent cloth or towel. Press gently to draw the stain out of the fibres rather than pushing it deeper.
Avoid scrubbing, as this can damage the weave, cause pilling, and even spread the mark to clean areas of the fabric.
Washer Settings for Cotton
Once your sheets are ready to go in, the right settings will help them come out fresh, soft, and in shape.
✅ Detergent: Choose a mild liquid or powder. Skip bleach as it can weaken cotton and alter colours. Use a little less than the recommended amount to avoid residue. If you are worried about suds, add an extra rinse.
✅ Cycle: Check the care label first. Most cotton sheets do well on a Cotton or Gentle cycle. Keep Heavy Duty for heavily soiled loads only.
✅ Temperature: For Ecosa cotton sheets, we recommend washing at 30 to 40°C on a gentle cycle. This keeps the fabric in great condition and helps it last longer. You can go up to 60°C for whites or when washing after illness, but very hot water every time can lead to fading or shrinkage.
Always check the care label for the correct temperature setting.
✅ Load size: Fill the drum halfway to three-quarters full. This gives sheets room to move so dirt and detergent can rinse away.
✅ Spin speed: 800 to 1000 rpm is a safe range for most cotton. Drop to 600 to 800 rpm for sateen to reduce creasing.
✅ Additives: Skip fabric softener as it coats fibres and reduces breathability. For brighter whites, use oxygen bleach occasionally. In hard-water areas, a water softener can help.
✅ Prep in the drum: Close zips, unbutton covers, and smooth sheets as you load to reduce twisting.
Drying and Ironing
Getting the wash right is only half the job. How you dry and press your sheets makes a big difference to how they feel and how long they last.
✅ Tumble drying: Stick to low or medium heat. High heat can shrink cotton and leave it feeling rough. A gentler setting keeps fibres smooth.
✅ Line drying: One of the best ways to protect cotton’s strength. Hang coloured sheets in the shade to prevent fading, and whites in light sun for a natural brightening boost. Peg along the edges to keep marks to a minimum.
✅ Damp finish: Remove sheets from the dryer while they are still slightly damp. This small step cuts down on deep creases and makes ironing quicker.
✅ Shake and smooth: Give sheets a light shake before hanging or folding. This helps them dry evenly and settle into shape.
✅ Ironing: If you love that crisp, hotel-style feel, iron while the sheets are still a touch damp. Use a medium cotton setting with steam, and keep the iron moving to avoid shiny spots.
✅ Steam refresh: For a quick smooth between washes, use a garment steamer on a made bed. It is an easy way to lift wrinkles without a full laundry day.
Once your sheets are completely dry, fold them neatly and store them in a cool, dry place. For more tips, see our guide on how to store bedding.
Other Cotton Sheets
Egyptian, Pima, and 100% cotton all share the same natural breathability, but each has its own texture and finish that respond differently in the wash.
A few small tweaks to your routine can help each one stay soft, hold its colour, and keep its fit.
How To Wash Egyptian Cotton Sheets
Egyptian cotton’s long, silky fibres give it that smooth, luxurious feel.
✅ Cycle: Gentle settings protect the weave and prevent fraying.
✅ Water temperature: Cool to warm (30–40°C) helps maintain softness and colour.
✅ Detergent: Mild formulas avoid breaking down the fibres.
✅ Drying: Low dryer heat or line drying while slightly damp reduces wrinkles and shrinkage.
If you’re curious how it compares to bamboo fabric, our guide on bamboo vs egyptian cotton sheets breaks down the differences in softness, breathability, and care.
How To Wash Pima Cotton Sheets
Pima cotton is strong and smooth, making it a favourite for everyday use.
✅ Cycle: Normal or gentle, depending on the weave.
✅ Water temperature: Warm (around 40°C) to lift dirt while protecting fibres.
✅ Detergent: A mild detergent keeps colours bright and fibres soft.
✅ Drying: Low to medium heat in the dryer, or air dry for a smoother finish.
Many Pima cotton sheets come in a high thread count that adds to their silky feel and durability. If you want to learn more about how thread count affects comfort and longevity, see our guide on thread count for sheets.
How To Wash 100% Cotton Sheets
Pure cotton sheets are breathable and comfortable, but they can shrink if overheated.
✅ Cycle: Gentle for lighter weaves, normal for sturdier ones.
✅ Water temperature: Cool to warm (30–40°C) to prevent shrinking.
✅ Detergent: Mild formulas keep the fibres fresh and absorbent.
✅ Drying: Low heat in the dryer or line dry. Remove while slightly damp to help keep their shape.
Ecosa’s 320-thread count Australian cotton sheets are crisp, soft, and breathable. Our durable percale weave holds up beautifully in the wash, so they stay comfortable and colour-rich over time.
How Often Should You Wash Cotton Sheets
Cotton sheets collect more than just dust. Sweat, skin oils, and the odd crumb can build up faster than you think, especially in warmer months when bed bugs are more active in parts of Australia and New Zealand.
✅ Weekly: For most people, once a week keeps your bedding fresh and comfortable. This routine also helps prevent allergens like dust mites from settling in.
✅ Every 3 to 4 days: If you have allergies, sweat a lot at night, or share your bed with pets, a midweek change can make a big difference in comfort and hygiene.
✅ Fortnightly: In cooler months, or if you rarely use that bed such as in a guest room, you can stretch it to every two weeks. Just remember to air the bedding out between washes.
✅ After illness: A hot wash after a cold or flu helps keep germs from lingering.
Fresh sheets are not just about the feeling when you get into bed. Regular washing keeps the fibres healthy and extends the life of your set.
Common Mistakes of Washing
Even with the best intentions, a few small missteps can wear out cotton sheets faster than you expect.
❌ Using too much detergent: More is not better. Extra soap can cling to fibres and make them feel stiff. Stick to the recommended amount or slightly less, and add an extra rinse if needed.
❌ Washing on hot every time: High heat can cause colours to fade and fibres to weaken. Save hot washes for illness or heavy soiling, and keep everyday loads at a cooler setting.
❌ Skipping the pre-treat: Tossing stained sheets straight into the wash often sets the mark in place. Take a minute to treat stains first for a better result.
❌ Using fabric softener: It coats fibres, reduces breathability, and can affect absorbency. If you want a softer feel, try dryer balls or line drying in a light breeze.
❌ Drying on high heat: It speeds up shrinkage and roughens the fabric. Choose low to medium settings or finish on the line.
Final Thoughts
Fresh, well-cared-for sheets make every night more comfortable. By following these tips on how to wash cotton sheets, you can keep them soft, breathable, and inviting for years to come. Small changes in your laundry routine help preserve their colour, feel, and fit.
Explore Ecosa’s wide range of bedding, from crisp Australian cotton sheets to plush pillows and stylish cushions. Each piece is made to complement your comfort and bring a touch of quality to your bedroom, night after night.
FAQs
How often should I wash bed sheets?
For most people, once a week is ideal. If you have allergies, sweat a lot at night, or share the bed with pets, you might want to change them every 3 to 4 days. In cooler months or for rarely used beds, you can stretch it to every two weeks.
Should I wash bed sheets with warm water or hot water?
Warm water (around 40°C) works for most washes, as it cleans well without putting too much stress on the fibres. Save hot washes (up to 60°C) for whites, after illness, or if you need a deeper clean.
Can I use cold water for washing sheets?
Yes, cold water is gentle on fibres and helps preserve colour. It’s great for lightly soiled sheets or dark colours you want to keep vibrant. Just use a detergent designed for cold washes.
Do I need to split my lights and darks?
Yes. Washing darks, lights, and whites separately keeps colours bright and avoids unwanted dye transfer. Even high-quality cotton can bleed slightly in the wash, especially when new.
Should I iron my sheets?
It’s up to you. Ironing gives a crisp, hotel-style finish, but it’s not essential. Removing sheets from the dryer while slightly damp and smoothing them by hand can minimise wrinkles without an iron.