Rosie's Reflections
Clean Beds for Good Health
Flu season is a good time to give your beds a thorough cleaning. If someone in your household is just getting over a bout with an illness, there's nothing nicer than a fresh, clean bed to celebrate the recovery.
Everyday items, like sheets, pillows, and mattress pads, as well as most blankets and comforters, are washable. The more decorative components, like bed skirts, throw pillows, bedspreads, coverlets, and throws, may be dry-clean-only. Check the care labels to be sure.
Vacuum the mattress to remove any loose dirt or dust. A light spray with a fabric refresher will help remove any lingering odors; for double-duty, choose one with a formula designed to reduce allergens for pollena nd dust mites. Vacuum and spray one side. Wait until the mattress is dry, and then flip it over and vacuum and mist the other side.
Check the care label of the mattress pad, then wash, using the recommended bleach and the hottest water that's safe for the fabric. Machine dry. Most pillow can be cleaned in the washing machine, but read the label for cleaning instructions particularly for feather or down pillows as these may need to be dry cleaned.
Wash pillows two at a time, agitating for only one or two minutes on the gentle cycle. Use the spin-dry feature of your washer at least twice to get as much moisture out of the pillows as possible. When drying, remove them from the dryer and fluff them periodically. This will prevent clumping and promote even drying. Tossing a few tennis balls in the dryer with thepillows will also prevent clumping.
Along with mattress pads and pillows, blankets should be washed at least four times a year. Follow the care label instructions. If the instructions are missing or faded, machine-wash in warm water on the gentle cycle and machine dry on the low heat cycle.
Depending on the capacity of your washing machine, it can be difficult to wash a comforter at home. Don't try to cram it into the machine. Instead, take it to a laundromat and wash it in one of the large-capacity machines. Be sure to check the care label, as some comforters may need to be dry cleaned.
Generally, electric blankets should not be dry cleaned, because the chemicals may ruin the wiring. Check the care label. Most electric blankets can be machine washed, using the gentle cycle and only two or three minutes of agitation. Don't put the blanket in the dryer unless the care label recommends it. Instead, hang it over ttwo lines or lay it flat to dry.
If your bed skirt or dust ruffle is dry clean only, and it isn't soiled, toss it in the dryer with a fabric softener sheet. The sheet will trap the dust and the heat of the dryer will destroy any germs. Or use an in-home dryer kit to clean and refresh it.
Sweet dreams in your fresh, clean bed.
