Everything you ever wanted to know about bed linen.
Caring for Your Macmillan Bed Linen
Common Stains and How To Remove Them
Article - Another Bedroom Makeover
What Does High Thread Count Mean?
Thread Count is the number of horizontal and vertical threads in one square inch of fabric. Thread count in Sheets can range from 80 to 1000. It is generally thought that thread counts of above 400 are “not genuine” as manufacturers twist two threads together in a way that doubles the thread count.
Thread count is affected by both the ply and thickness of the threads used. The ply of a fabric means the number of threads are wrapped together to make a single thread. Using finer threads lets more thread into one square inch, this makes the fabric feel softer, smoother and give a more luxurious finish to the product.
It is generally agreed that Thread Counts of greater than 100 are the most desirable and these fabrics are known as Percale. Fabrics with a Thread Count of up to 400 are the world renowned Egyptian Cotton.
Although Thread count is an important factor when choosing your Bed Linen other factors should be bourn in mind. At macmillanqualitybedding.co.uk our highly skilled team of designers and manufacturers ensure all our made to order bed linen is hand crafted to the highest standards.
What is Percale?
PERCALE comes from the Persian word “Pargalah” a fabric containing a high thread count often used for sheets and clothing.
Percale can be made up from a 50/50 blend of cotton and polyester, 100% cotton or any blend of fabrics to any ratio, Percale actually refers to the type of weave as opposed to the blend of fabrics. At macmillanqualitybedding.co.uk we offer 100% cotton Percale and Egyptian Cotton.
Percale is light, firm, and smooth without gloss. It washes very well and with proper care (see Care For My Bedding) is an enduring fabric perfect for Bed Linen. Percale bedding comes in a number colours and is one of the finest fabrics for the production of Bed Linen. With a Thread Count of 180 it has a super silky feel guaranteed to please.
Drying Advice
Drying white linen in the sun helps keep its natural colour. Drying sheets in the dryer should be only until they are dry, avoid over drying. Remove sheets from the dryer and fold immediately. If sheets have cooled in the dryer and wrinkles have set, then tumble for another 5-10 minutes with a clean damp washcloth. Over drying causes Bed Linen to become brittle due to the lack of natural moisture. Over dried items will eventually restore their natural moisture content by absorbing the moisture from the air.
Duvet Care
Keeping a Duvet in a Duvet Cover will help keep it fresher and cleaner for longer. It is always best to ensure you shake and puff up your duvet after every use. By keeping your Duvet inside a Duvet Cover the need to have it Dry Cleaned will be very infrequent. All duvets should be laundered in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. These will be found on the label attached to the Duvet. Duvets should be dried in a dryer on a gentle heat so as not to damage the fibres within. It is also recommended that after it has been removed from the dryer it should be Aired for about 24 hours in order to ensure it has fully dried and freshened before it is put back inside a Duvet Cover and returned to the bed.
Getting the Best from Your Pillows
Use A Pillow Protector And A Pillowcase
First thing you should do when buy a new pillow is cut the labels out before using them. Itchy scratchy labels will only get in the way of a peaceful night's sleep. Then slip on a pillow protector (see Pillow Protection) and finally a pillowcase to match your sheets.
Pillow Protection
When you purchase a pillow always purchase at least two pillow protectors in the correct size to match your pillow.
The pillow protector (basically a plain white pillowcase with a zippered closure) offers an additional barrier against dirt and oil and will lessen the need for pillow cleaning. Having at least two pillow protectors per pillow will allow you to have one in the wash while the other is being used on the pillow. These protectors can be found in fabrics that range from cheap muslin to fine expensive cottons with a high Thread Count. Since you will be using it every night it makes sense to choose one in a quality fabric with a higher Thread Count. A decorative pillowcase is the outer layer of the pillow. Always buy at least one extra set of pillowcases each time you purchase sheets. Extra cases will give you the option of changing the pillowcases every few days to freshen up the bed. Changing pillowcases frequently can also help keep your face and hair cleaner. You might also collect sets of plain white (or plain colored) pillowcases so you have a fresh clean choice available every day. Buy the highest thread count you can afford to add a touch of luxury to your night.
Stain Removal
As soon as a stain is noted an attempt should be made to remove it. The older a stain is the more chance there is of it becoming permanent. Always follow stain removal product directions. Make a point of testing any stain removal substance before applying it. Do it using a hidden part of the item. After applying the remover, let it stand for 2-5 minutes or as stated in the instructions, then rinse. If after waiting the recommended time the colour changes, do not use the stain removal product on the fabric. Always wash items after treating to remove residues of the stain and the stain remover. Never put stain removers directly into the washing machine.
Washing Advice
Always follow the instructions on the label.
Bed Linen gets better the more it is washed. It becomes softer, smoother, looks shinier and feels so much nicer.
Only use quality washing agents, any detergents that contain bleach should only be used on white Bed Linen. Only use Oxygen Bleaches as Chlorine Bleaches cause the fabric to yellow in appearance. Coloured fabrics should be washed using bleach free detergents. Always follow the Washing Agent instructions before use. Always take care to separate dark coloured items from the light coloured items, washing them together may ruin both.
Bed Linen is best washed on a gentle cycle or even hand washed with a gentle soap. Use cool to warm water to wash Bed Linen. Water temperature will be dictated by the washing care label attached to the Bed Linen. Shrinkage may occur if the Bed Linen is washed in water that is too hot. Soft Water is important as hard water can cause a soap scum to form that makes the fabric hard and discoloured. If you are in a hard water area add a softening agent. Linen is very absorbent therefore plenty of fresh water is required.
Stained Bed Linen should be washed immediately. If allowed to set the stain may become permanent (see Stain Removal Advice).
The load of the washing machine should be so it can move around freely. Never overload your washing machine as this may cause streaks to appear in the fabric. Ensure also that the load is thoroughly rinsed and all detergent is removed in order to stop the ageing effect that oxidising soil and detergent may cause.
Here's a few tried and tested method to get notoriously difficult stains out.
Ballpoint Ink: Hold stain against a towel, spray closely from behind with hair spray.
Beverages: Soak in cool water. Re-wash with stain remover. Wash using oxygen bleach (for white linen).
Blood: Rinse immediately in cold water.
Candle Wax: Chill with ice and scrape off as much as possible with dull side of knife, then iron between two pieces of absorbent paper, changing paper until wax is absorbed.
Chocolate: Pre-wash with product containing enzymes in warm water or treat with pre-wash stain remover.
Collar, Cuff Soil: Pre-wash with stain remover, liquid laundry detergent or paste of granular detergent and water.
Cosmetics: Pre-wash with stain remover, liquid laundry detergent or paste of granular detergent and water or rub with bar of soap.
Deodorants and Anti-Perspirants: Pre-treat with liquid laundry detergent. For heavy stains pre-treat with re-wash stain remover. Allow to stand for 5 to 10 minutes.
Egg: Rinse immediately with cool water - never hot water as this will harden the egg into the fabric.
Fruit Juice: Rinse with cool water.
Grass: Wash using oxygen bleach (for white linen).
Grease Spots, Oil: Pre-treat with pre-wash stain remover or liquid laundry detergent. For heavy stains, place stain face down on clean paper towels. Apply cleaning agent to back of stain. Replace paper towels under stain frequently.
Ink: Use ink eradicator (only for un-dyed, untreated linen/cotton).
Lemon, Lime Juice, Vinegar: Rinse immediately with cool water.
Lipstick: On pure linen, rub with a little salad oil to dissolve lipstick, then wash to remove oil.
Meat Juice: Rinse with cool, never hot, water.
Perspiration: Use pre-wash stain remover or rub with bar of soap. If colour of fabric has changed, apply ammonia to fresh stains, white vinegar to old stains and rinse. Wash using hottest water safe for fabric.
Red Wine: Cover with salt if stain is fresh or white wine and then rinse with cool water. If stain has dried, try rinsing with soda water.
Tar: Scrape residue from fabric. Place stain face down on paper towels. Sponge with cleaning fluid. Replace towels frequently. Wash in hottest water safe for fabric.
Tomato: Rinse with cool water.
Coffee/Tea: Stretch fabric tautly over a bowl and pour boiling water from above.
White Wine: Rinse with soda water.
Another Bedroom Makeover
When I hear people say that bedroom décor doesn’t matter because you only sleep there, I have to wonder what whose people do. I must go into my bedroom about 40 times a day.
It’s also the place that you dress, and for most people if they feel comfortable in their surroundings they will take time and care in themselves.
For all you would be designers out there, I have a word of advice for you.
When watching all those makeover programmes, don’t get the idea that it is easy.
Designing your room to show your own unique personality and also be functional can take a lot of time and hard work.
Firstly you need to decide on colour, if everyone liked Magnolia what a dull world this would be.
The bigger the room the deeper colour you can apply. But mixing colours on different walls works well in either large or small spaces. Pastels generally work better in the bedroom, pale blue, light green or even sand colours.
Also take care not to fill every available space with clutter, light and airy are essential
for a good nights sleep.
When choosing furniture buy what you like but be practical, I’m sure an 8 foot bed would be wonderful, but not if your room space is only 9 foot square.
Take care not to obstruct doors and if possible give enough room to walk around the bed, this is a safety aspect as well as practical one.
Storage is one of the biggest mistakes people make when designing there bedrooms, without exception there is never enough for even the most minimalistic person.
Overhead storage or built-in cupboards are ideal, but they must be of good quality and in keeping with the room.
I, as anyone who knows me will tell you am not a morning person, so for me when I open my eyes I don’t want to see the daylight till I have had my first cup of tea.
That is the beauty of blinds. The choice is endless, in styles and colours, from blackout to net blinds from Vertical to Venetian of Roman. When choosing window dressing think about where you live, you wouldn’t want the neighbours getting a free show every night.
We all know that lighting can change the whole ambiance of a room, so don’t cut corners. Down lighters or spotlights are fabulous for bathrooms or dressing rooms but be a little more subtle in the bedroom, sidelights or up lighters are ideal, and for all of us over thirty a lot more flattering.
The most dominant feature of any bedroom is usually the bed. You can be as extravagant as you like here, it is all about comfort, and what is more comfortable than really good Quality bedding.
A luxury Percale or Egyptian cotton would be my choice, anything with a thread count of 180 or above, it’s a natural fibre, soft, durable and crisp to the touch, it is the ultimate in bedroom style.
Its false economy to scrimp on bed linen, if you want sheer comfort that will last for years, longer than the poly/cotton sheets which bobble after one wash. I think that new bedding is a luxury that everyone should experience at least three times a year.
With Divan beds you will need a Valance, be it Base Valance or Valance sheet it just adds that finishing touch and can be matched with your curtains or blinds.
Valances come in Three styles, box pleat is the most practical, and looks the most expensive, and with a base Valance it doesn’t need to be changed every week, so less washing for us.
There is also frilled or inverted Pleat Valances; both will do the job of hiding the base of the bed.
You may have noticed that Beds come in a variety of sizes these days. Consider when you buy your new bed, that bed linen doesn’t come with the package, But in order for you to get the best from your bed you need to use bedding that fits perfectly, spend a bit of time getting great fitted sheets, I promise you will not regret it.
Throws and cushions are also a great addition for giving your room that finishing touch.
If you are lucky enough to have either an En-Suite or dressing room then keep it simple, extend the colour scheme through out and put in lots of storage for towels and toiletries.
I hope I have given you food for thought if you are starting out on revamping your bedroom or designing your room from scratch.
Remember only you know what makes you happy, so put as much of you as possible into that special place, and wake up every morning feeling a sense of pride.