Everything you need to know about washing your sheets and how often to do it. Almost three fifths of us don’t change our bed sheets each week, research from cleaning firm End of Tenancy Cleaning London has revealed. Although it can be hard to keep on top of the laundry – especially in a larger household – changing bedding less often than we should could mean we’re cosying up to a small army of dust mites – and their droppings – when we bed down for the night.
House dust mites feed on dead skin that has been partially broken down by mould, and both the skin itself and the dust mites that find it so tasty, can quickly build up in unwashed beds and bedding. The Sleep Council estimates that as much as a tenth of the weight of a pillow that has never been washed is made up of human skin scales, mould, dust mites (including dead dust mites) and their droppings. Eeugh! This isn’t a pleasant thought for anyone but it can be particularly bad news for anyone who suffers from a dust mite allergy, asthma or eczema. This is because dust mite droppings contain an allergen that is associated with all three of these conditions. To keep your beds and your bedding as clean as possible and to help ensure you get a great night’s sleep, follow these handy DOs and DON’Ts. DO wash sheets and blankets at least once a fortnight If someone in your household has asthma, eczema or a dust mite allergy, follow Allergy UK’s advice and change bedding weekly. DO wash bedding at 60°C or above Although dust mite droppings will be washed away if you launder bedding at a lower temperature, the mites themselves will survive, which won’t help in the long-run. DO clean stuffed toys regularly Persuading your child to part with a favourite teddy – even temporarily – is no mean feat. Assuming you manage this, the best course of action is to launder it at 60°C to kill any dust mites that might be lurking inside, but the care label may state that it can't be washed at this high a temperature. If this is the case, Allergy UK recommends putting the toy in a plastic bag and popping it in the freezer for at least 12 hours before washing according to the care label. Try to do this once a month. DON’T forget the duvet The GHI recommends laundering duvets and pillows at least twice a year. ‘If your duvet is machine washable, check your washing machine’s drum capacity before attempting to wash it at home,' advises Verity Mann, Head of Testing at the GHI. 'There should be room for it to move around in the machine. If there isn’t, or if your duvet is 13.5 tog or higher, or larger than king size, you’re better off taking it to a launderette. With both pillows and duvets, it’s important to dry them as quickly as possible, especially if they have a natural fibre filling, which holds moisture more readily and could start to rot.’ DO vacuum your mattress Some mattress manufacturers state that vacuuming certain types of mattress can displace the filling inside, so always check the care guide that came with the mattress first. If you are going to vacuum your mattress, use the upholstery attachment and the lowest suction setting on the cleaner. Aim to do this every couple of months, vacuuming the bed frame and the area directly underneath and surrounding the bed while you’re at it. DON’T make your bed! Or, at least, don’t make your bed as soon as you get up in the morning. We sweat while we sleep and a neatly rearranged duvet can trap moisture and warmth inside your bed, making your bed irresistible to dust mites. Article source: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/house-and-home/household-advice/a28407426/how-often-wash-sheets-care/
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Unfortunately, there isn’t a single method to clean a headboard because the types of material used differ, such as wooden, leather, metal, polyester, suede and many more. Please take into consideration the type of stain you want to remove because treating watermarks and ink require two completely different approaches. Depending on how much time you have and the severity of the stain, you should also decide whether you can and want to do it yourself or whether it would be best to get it cleaned by a professional. Here is and article going into detail on how to clean headboards and how to make homemade cleaning solutions as well. How to clean a wooden headboard A solid wood headboard has an elegant style which will add a touch of class to any traditional bedroom, so unless your headboard has a protective plastic coating, avoid cleaning with water or commercial cleaning products that are not specifically designed for wood – when using these, always follow the instructions on the label. Test any other cleaning method on a small, unnoticeable area first to ensure that it is suitable for your furniture.
Harder stains such as watermarks or alcohol spots can also be cleaned but will require a stronger solution such as polish. If your furniture has a finish, refer to the manufacturers guidelines to check which polishing products are suitable as this can vary widely. How to clean a metal headboard A metal headboard is traditional in style and will add a classy and sophisticated look to any bedroom interior that doesn’t need a lot of maintenance. However, they can collect dust and be affected by spills through regular use which need removing. Use the following steps to clean your metal headboard:
How to clean a velvet headboard A velvet headboard has a sophisticated design that would suit either a traditional or contemporary styled bedroom and taking care of your velvet upholstered headboard is a must if you want to enjoy it for longer. Use the following steps to clean stains from velvet fabric:
How to clean a faux suede headboard Faux suede headboard – a soft fabric with open-texture, is the perfect contemporary headboard for your bedroom. Here is how to easily clean your faux suede headboard:
How to clean a fabric headboard Upholstered fabric headboards add luxury and comfort to our beds and we need to look after them from time to time. To clean fabric headboards, do the following:
How to clean a leather headboard A genuine leather headboard is fantastic and has an authentic look and feel so before you begin, check the manufacturer’s label for any details about how it should be cleaned. Still, the common method to clean a leather upholstered headboard is:
Tips and tricks You can prolong your headboard life by maintaining it properly and treating any stains the right way.
Article source: https://www.justheadboards.co.uk/blog/2019/01/how-to-clean-a-headboard/ |
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