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| Wash Winter Bedding Propery, Then Store | by Terri Sapienza
Washington Post
It's almost time to turn on the air-conditioning, time to swap down comforters and woolly blankets for cotton sheets and lightweight throws.
Your winter bedding will last longer and be a pleasure to take out again if you take the time to clean and freshen it now. The Coin Laundry Association - yes, there is one - offers some guidelines:
Wash and dry in large-capacity machines. Most household washers can hold between 10 and 12 pounds of laundry; commercial-grade washers can handle up to 75 pounds of wash and are best for cleaning bedding. Using larger machines will extend the life of your comforter.
Down-filled bedding can be washed, which many people don't realize. Just be sure to read the care instructions for down comforters and pillows. Use a mild detergent to wash. When drying, put some clean tennis balls into the dryer to help fluff and distribute the down.
Wash colored bedding in a mild detergent. Whites should be washed separately, also with a mild detergent, and followed with an oxygenated bleach. Avoid chlorine bleaches, which leave a residue that is hard to clean and can cause discoloration over time. When drying, use a fabric-softening sheet, rather than a liquid softener, because some padding materials, including down, have a tendency to absorb the liquid unevenly.
For wool blankets, use cold water on a gentle cycle and fluff dry. Adding dry towels to the dryer will help absorb moisture from the blankets and cut down on drying time.
Wash and dry flannel sheets separately. Flannel has a tendency to deposit lint in the dryer. Though immediately removing flannel from the dryer is recommended, a better idea is to take it out while it's still slightly damp and let it air-dry. Over-drying flannel in the machine can cause wrinkles and fade colors.
Always read the care labels. Certain fabrics, such as satin, cannot be washed and should be taken to a professional dry cleaner.
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