An Expert's Guide on How to Keep Your White Bedding Bright White

 If you're a fan of all-white bedding, you might have struggled with keeping your sheets and towels as bright white as the day you bought them. Keeping your whites bright requires some dedication, but it can definitely be managed if you keep on top of it!

How to Wash White Bedding and Towels

There are a few things to know to avoid having your white bedding yellow over time. Always follow the manufacturer's washing instructions, but here are some helpful tips:

• Wash in cold or warm water. 
• Don't add too much soap - it can coat the fibers of your sheets, leading to sticky soap buildup that attracts dust and grime.
• Never wash anything with a protein stain (i.e. blood) in hot water - heat sets protein stains. Instead, dab the stain with cold water and soak in cold water and some OxiClean or other stain remover. 
• Wash your whites separately from your colors, and separate your sheets and towels (even if they're all white). Towels are bulkier than sheets, so you want them to wash on their own.
• Never use fabric softener on towels: white towels or any towels. It coats the fibers 
• Here's a biggie - do not use bleach! Bleach causes yellowing over time. OxiClean's White Revive is a better option. Use it like you would bleach - put it in the bleach dispenser of your washer. 
  
• For sheets that have yellowed with age or sweat, add 1/2 cup of baking soda sprinkled in your washer, followed by 1/2 cup of white vinegar once the clothes are in. Add detergent like normal, too. 

How to Keep Your White Bedding and Towels White

• Wash your makeup off before bed - waterproof mascara is especially hard to get out. 
• Avoid eating, drinking, and wearing street clothes in bed.
• Clean sheets regularly - every 1-2 weeks, more if you share the bed with pets.
• Clean towels every 2-3 washes. 
• Spot treat stains immediately. 
• Lint roll your white duvet cover if pet hair gets on it. 

The Best White Bedding for Every Style 

We have dozens upon dozens of white bedding options for every style. 

Classic White Bedding

Many of our customers are looking for a classic white bedding look - simple, clean, and luxuriously soft.

Pine Cone Hill Classic Hemstitch Sheet Set

Pine Cone Hill Bamboo Sheet Set

Cottage Style White Bedding 

Cottage or French Country white bedding has a softer look and little details like ruffles to give you that shabby chic feel. 

Taylor Linens Mason Sheet Set

Pine Cone Hill Classic Ruffle White Sheet Set

Taylor Linens Polka Dot Sheet Set

Hotel Style White Bedding 

Hotel style bedding is clean, crisp, percale or sateen sheets. You can feel like you're in a luxury hotel every night!

Sferra Pettine Bedding

Pom Pom at Home Percale Bedding

Sferra Giotto Sateen Sheet Set

White Linen Bedding

Linen bedding is made from natural fibers that keep you cool in the summer months. Linen has a relaxed, stylishly rumpled look. 

Pine Cone Hill Lush Linen White Sheet Set

Pine Cone Hill Flax Linen Sheet Set

When To Replace Your Bedding, Towels, and Other Household Linens

With the advent of the new year, many people take a look at their old sheets and towels and decide it's time for a refresh. If you're on the fence, you might be wondering how often you should be replacing your bedding, towels, and other household linens. Here's our guide for when to make the switch:

How Often To Replace Bed Sheets 

You sleep on your sheets every night and wash them regularly, so they get a lot of wear and tear over the years. You also really do get what you pay for - quality sheets last longer than less expensive sheets from big box stores. That's because the quality of the cotton or linen and the construction of the yarn tends to be better and more durable in the nicer bedding. 

Your everyday bedding made from quality cotton should be able to last you about three or four years if you take care of it correctly. 

Our Celeste percale sheets from Sferra are made from the world's finest Italian yarn.

Linen sheets last the longest at three to five years per set. 

Pine Cone Hill's Linen sheets are made from 100% Belgian Flax Linen. 

Of course, seasonal bedding that you switch out for summer, fall, or the holidays will last longer because you don't use it every day of the year. 

How to Care for Bed Sheets

• Wash them regularly (at least once every two weeks - more if you have pets or it's hot outside) in warm water with mild detergent. 
• Avoid fabric softeners - they coat the fibers and can affect the hand (the feel) of the fabric. 
• Store in a cool, dry place like a linen closet. Don't store them in an open shelf in a sunny laundry room - too much sunlight can affect the fibers over time. 

How Often to Replace Pillows

Pillows capture the grossest stuff when we sleep - dead skin cells, sweat, etc. They also flatten out and lose "fluff" over time. You should replace your pillows about every 2 years, or when they start to feel no longer comfortable. 

These luxurious Pine Cone Hill pillows should last you for years. 

How to Care for Pillows

• Machine-wash your pillows every few months - it's easy if you have a front load washer or a top load washer with an impeller. 
• If you have really high quality pillows, you can purchase a pillow protector to go underneath your pillowcase. 

How Often to Replace Duvet Inserts and Comforters 

Duvet inserts are a big investment, so most people want to hang onto them as long as possible. The good news is that duvet inserts last for a long time - quality ones can last for 10-15 years or more! 

Our Pine Cone Hill Savasanna Duvet Insert is a high quality one that will last for many years. 

Comforters have less staying power than duvet inserts, since they have no protective covering on them. Replace your comforter when the color starts to fade or when filling starts to leak out. 

How to Care for Duvet Inserts and Comforters

• Always use a duvet cover over your duvet insert - not only does it add some color to your home, but it protects the insert.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to wash your duvet insert or comforter. 

How Often to Replace Bathroom Towels

Bathroom towels tend to last about 2-3 years, longer if you've chosen ones with strong fibers and quality construction. Replace yours when they start to look ratty or worn. 

Our Peacock Alley towel set is extra plush and made by Turkish artisans. 

How to Care for Bathroom Towels

• Wash your towels every 2-4 uses, and make sure to hang damp ones on a towel bar to avoid mildew.
• Don't use fabric softener on your towels - it affects the absorption power. 
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to wash your towels. 

Our Pine Cone Hill white towels are a classic favorite. 

How Often to Replace Bath Mats

You should replace your bath mat whenever it starts to look worn. High-quality bath mats can last 5-7 years or longer. 

How to Care for Bath Mats

• Wash your bath mats every week or two. Hang them over the edge of your tub or on your shower handle bar to avoid them sitting around damp. 
• Don't use fabric softener on your bath mats - it affects the absorption power. 
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to wash your towels.