There’s nothing quite like slipping into a fresh set of new bedding. Slipping into fresh new bed linens is one of life’s simplest luxuries.
But before you dress your bed, you might be wondering, should you wash your new bedding first?
The short answer is yes, we’d always recommend it. Washing your bedding before its first use helps it feel softer, fresher and ready for a truly comfortable night’s sleep.
If you’re choosing a new set you can explore our range of cotton bedding and linen bedding to find the perfect fit for your sleep style.
Should You Wash New Bedding Before Use?
Although new bedding looks pristine, it can carry tiny loose fibres from the manufacturing process.
Washing before use helps to:
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Remove any loose fibres
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Refresh the fabric
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Leave your bedding feeling softer, smoother and more comfortable
It’s a simple step, but one that makes a noticeable difference.
Benefits of Washing New Bedding
It Helps Improve Softness
Natural fibres like cotton and linen become noticeably softer after their very first wash.
Washing helps relax the fibres, giving your bedding that softer, more comfortable, lived in feel. With the right care, it will continue to soften beautifully over time.
If softness is your priority, our Egyptian cotton bedding is a popular choice for its smooth, luxurious feel.
A Better Night’s Sleep
Freshly washed bedding feels cleaner, lighter and more inviting, helping you settle in and drift off more easily.
It can also be especially beneficial for removing any loose fibres and refreshing the fabric so it feels beautifully smooth from the first sleep.
How to Wash New Bedding
Before washing, always check the care label. As a general guide:
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Wash at the recommended temperature for the fabric
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Use a gentle detergent
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Wash similar colours together
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Avoid overloading the machine
Taking a little extra care with that first wash helps set your bedding up for long lasting softness and comfort.
Consult our bedding care guide to find washing instructions for all of our fabrics and bed linen ranges if you’re working with a fabric you’re unsure about.
Drying your sheets
Drying your bedding properly is just as important as washing it, helping to maintain softness, shape and longevity.
As a general guide:
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Air drying is the gentlest option and helps preserve fibres
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If using a tumble dryer, choose a low heat setting
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Avoid over-drying, as this can make fabrics feel rough
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Shake out your bedding before drying to reduce creases
Natural fabrics like cotton and linen respond particularly well to careful drying. Hanging them outside to dry can enhance that fresh, airy feel, while tumble drying on a low setting can add extra softness.
For linen, removing it slightly damp and allowing it to finish drying naturally can help maintain its relaxed texture.
Do You Always Have to Wash New Bedding First?
It is highly recommended.
While skipping the first wash won't damage your bedding, it can lead to a less comfortable experience and you may miss out on that softer fresher feel. New bedding often contains loose fibres, which are removed during the first wash.
If left unwashed these fibres can:
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Cause a slightly rough or itchy feel
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Contribute to pilling over time through natural movement during sleep
Washing your bedding before use helps to remove these fibres, leaving the fabric smoother, softer and more comfortable from the very beginning.
The Final Touch for Better Sleep
Think of it as the finishing touch, helping your bedding look, feel and perform exactly as it should.
So should you wash bedding before use? We think it’s always worth it.
After all, there’s nothing quite like climbing into freshly washed, beautifully soft sheets at the end of the day.
Sweet dreams.
