Spring Cleaning: Tips for Cleaning your Linens and Bedrooms
The history of spring cleaning has deep roots tied to religion, culture, and even biology itself. There's just something about opening all the windows to let in the sunshine and fresh air while cleaning out the dust that's been accumulating all winter.
Here are a few of our favorite tips for spring cleaning and a handy checklist:
Declutter and Organize Your Space
You can't properly organize your linen closet if it's full of old sheets and towels you hardly use. Make sure to go through and purge old towels, sheets, and pillows you no longer need.
Here are three tips for decluttering old linens:
- Replace Towels: If your towels are stained, threadbare, or fraying at the edges, it's time to pass them along to make room for something else.
- Purge Sheets: You can tell it's time for sheets to go if they've started to fray or pill or if the elastic in the fitted sheet no longer snaps back as it should.
- Ditch Old Pillows: How do you know when it's time to replace your old pillows?
Here are a few common signs that it's time to get a new pillow:
- It's flat. If you can fold it in half, it's time to replace it.
- It's stained. Body oils, sweat and other liquids can seep into the pillow core and break down what's inside. If you see serious stains, your pillow needs to go.
- Neck pain. You routinely wake up with neck pain or stiffness. This is a sign that your pillow no longer supports your head the way it should.
- New Sleeping Position. You've changed sleeping positions. Were you once a back sleeper but now swear by side sleeping? It would be best if you had a firmer, more supportive pillow.
- Your Pillow’s Age. A pillow's lifespans can vary depending on the manufacturer and type. But a good rule of thumb is to give your pillow a thorough inspection every two years and replace it if necessary.
Here are more tips on upgrading your pillow and how to find the best pillow for you!
Once you've decided to get rid of your old pillow, don't toss it in the trash! Here are a few ideas for what to do with it:
- Use it as a pet bed
- Compost the down filling
- Use it as a knee cushion for gardening, bathing children or other household tasks
- Use it to cushion breakable items when you're packing breakable items for shipping or moving
Tip: You can bring your old towels and linens into the store and we'll donate them to a local animal shelter to help pets in need.
Once you've purged your linen closet, focus on folding your remaining items so they'll stay organized. Yes, you must learn how to fold fitted sheets properly! Here's an article on how to fold fitted sheets the easy way.
Deep Clean Your Sleeping Areas
Here's our handy checklist for deep cleaning your primary suite and guest bedrooms:
- Vacuum behind and under the bed
- Dust light fixtures and lamps
- Dust blinds and/or vacuum curtains
- Polish wood furniture
- Use glass cleaner to clean photo frames
- Turn or flip the mattress and vacuum it and the box spring
- Replace your mattress pad if needed
- Have your down products professionally cleaned
- Replace your pillow protectors
- Machine-wash your down alternative pillows and comforters
- Wash your coverlets and shams -- check the labels for instructions
Wash Your Linens and Bedding
Using a high-quality detergent for your linens will preserve the quality of the fibers, making them last longer. We love Linenwash by LeBlanc. It's formulated to protect fibers while preserving the original beauty of fine textiles and apparel and can be used on washable, colorfast, and organic linens as well as all cottons, synthetics, and blends. Safely launder antique linens, household bedding, table linens, lace, quilts, christening gowns, apparel, and more.
And no matter how much you love a soft sheet, do NOT use fabric softener, which can coat fibers with a waxy substance and cause yellowing. Using fabric softener on towels can make them less absorbent as well, so it's best just to stay away.
After laundering your machine washable items, consider going old-school by hanging them on a line to dry outside. Sunlight naturally sanitizes and whitens fabric over time.
Here are a few more tips from our experts on how to properly wash and care for your luxury linens.
Refresh the Scent of Your Rooms
Opening windows is one of the most natural and efficient ways of freshening a room. Fresh air circulates and removes any unpleasant scent or dust particles from being inside for too long, like cooking smells or dust mites. The circulation of air and exposure to natural light helps kill off any bacteria that could result in unpleasant odors. Additionally, sunlight helps to lighten and brighten linens, giving them an extra fresh feeling that alone would make the difference.
Give your home a complete scent rejuvenation with the power of nature and aromatherapy. Invite fresh air through opened windows, then add natural diffusers or scented candles to create an inviting atmosphere. Add plants such as lavender or eucalyptus in your bedroom to incorporate natural fragrances, which can help to promote relaxation and sleep.
For added luxury, freshen up your bedding, linens, and curtains by spritzing them with a fabric spray like LeBlanc Linen Water. Their fabric spray adds fragrance that will make you feel like royalty, while lasting long enough to keep the scent lingering even after laundry day! With their biodegradable formula, it's perfect for freshening any area responsibly - transforming it into an oasis of relaxation.
Decluttering and deep cleaning your linen closet and bedroom is the perfect way to prepare your home for springtime. It can be a timely process, but the feeling of accomplishment afterward and the beauty of having those like-new quality linens will be well worth it. After all, fresh sheets with luxurious materials and decluttering your spaces can make you feel relaxed and pampered every time you walk into your bedroom. For extra advice on treating yourself to some spa-like amenities from home, visit us at the store or join our mailing list for more tips!