Luxury sheets aren’t just an upgrade for your bed—they’re an investment in your nightly comfort. But even the best sheets can lose softness, weaken, or wear out early if they’re not cared for properly. The good news? With the right routine, DreamFit® sheets stay soft, smooth, and beautifully fitted through years of use.
Here’s the complete guide to washing, drying, and storing your sheets so they stay in their best condition, plus the insider tips that help them last through 200+ wash cycles without losing softness or performance.
Why Care Matters More Than You Think
Your sheets collect body oils, sweat, dead skin cells, cosmetics, lotions, and everyday debris. That buildup isn’t just gross—it affects the fabric. Oils cling to cotton fibers and make them feel rougher. Heat (both from your body and your dryer) breaks down elastic. Fabric softeners leave residue that can stiffen cotton and reduce breathability.
In other words:
How you wash your sheets matters just as much as the fabric you buy.
Whether you sleep on bamboo, Pima cotton, Egyptian cotton, or crisp organic percale, these steps keep your bedding luxuriously soft and strong.
Step 1: Wash Your Sheets Weekly
Most people wait two or three weeks between washes—but for softness and longevity, weekly washing is best. It prevents oils and buildup from settling into the fibers where they can break down softness over time.
If you sleep hot, have pets, or experience allergies, washing every 5–7 days is ideal. Pairing your sheets with a breathable protector—like the DreamCool™ Mattress Protector or cooling DreamChill™ Protector—helps reduce allergens and extend time between deeper mattress cleanings.
Step 2: Wash in Warm or Cool Water (Never Hot)
Hot water weakens fibers and can cause shrinkage—especially with natural cotton. Warm or cool water is enough to clean your sheets thoroughly without damaging the fabric.
Recommended:
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Warm water for cotton sheets
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Cool water for bamboo or stretch-knit sheets
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Delicate cycle if your machine is aggressive
Warm water helps lift oils from cotton (including DreamFit’s Pima Cotton and Egyptian Cotton collections), while cool water preserves elasticity and softness in bamboo-based fabrics.
Step 3: Use the Right Detergent—And the Right Amount
High-quality sheets need high-quality detergent. Cheap or heavy detergents leave behind residue that stiffens fabric over time.
Use:
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A mild, liquid detergent
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Fragrance-free if you're sensitive
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Only a small amount (too much leaves buildup)
Avoid:
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Fabric softeners
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Bleach
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Heavy “detergent + softener” combos
Fabric softener is the biggest culprit when sheets lose breathability. It coats the fibers, reducing airflow and trapping heat—especially noticeable in bamboo sets like the Enhanced Bamboo™ Sheet Set.
Step 4: Dry on Low Heat (This Is Critical)
High heat is the #1 enemy of elastic and fabric longevity.
DreamFit sheets use 20× stronger elastic than industry standards, but even the best elastic performs longer when dried gently.
Drying guidelines:
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Tumble dry on lo
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Remove promptly
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Avoid high heat and over-drying
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Never use dryer sheets (they coat fibers like fabric softener)
Removing your sheets while they’re still slightly warm prevents wrinkling and reduces stress on the elastic around the fitted sheet.
If you sleep on an adjustable base, this matters even more—your elastic does double-duty to keep your fitted sheet secure.
Step 5: Rotate Between Two or Three Sets
Rotating your sheets allows each set to rest between uses, preserving softness and reducing friction wear.
A perfect rotation is:
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One cooler set (like bamboo)
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One cotton or percale set for variety
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One specialty set if you have an adjustable base or split configuration
Explore options in the full DreamFit Sheets Collection.
Step 6: Store Sheets in a Cool, Dry Space
Storing sheets properly prevents odors, fading, and fiber breakdown.
Do:
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Store in a linen closet or breathable basket
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Fold neatly (DreamFit’s luxury sizing makes this easy)
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Keep them away from direct sunlight
Avoid:
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Storing in plastic
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Storing in humid areas like bathrooms
Pro tip: Store each sheet set inside one of its pillowcases for easy access.
Step 7: Use a Mattress Protector to Extend Your Sheet Lifespan
This step is often overlooked but incredibly effective.
A mattress protector shields your sheets from sweat and body oils—meaning they stay softer longer and need fewer aggressive washes.
Choose a protector based on your needs:
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Hot sleeper? Try the incredibly cool-to-the-touch DreamChill™ Protector.
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Want breathability and softness? The DreamCool™ Protector balances airflow and comfort perfectly.
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Need full protection? The DreamComfort™ Total Encasement keeps allergens and moisture out entirely.
For allergy sufferers, this upgrade can make a dramatic difference in nightly comfort.
To learn more, see Why Allergy Sufferers Need a Mattress Protector.
Step 8: Spot-Treat Stains Immediately
Stains become much harder to remove once they set into natural fibers. Treat them as soon as possible.
Use:
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A mild, enzyme-based cleaner
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Cool water
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A gentle blotting motion
Avoid:
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Rubbing (damages fibers)
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Hot water (sets stains permanently)
Step 9: Refresh Your Sheets Between Washes
To keep your bed feeling fresh between laundry days:
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Let your bed air out each morning
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Avoid making the bed immediately after waking
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Shake out your sheets before dressing the bed
This prevents moisture from becoming trapped in your mattress and protects your bedding from odor buildup.
Final Thoughts: Gentle Care = Softer Sheets for Years
Taking good care of your bedding isn’t complicated—it’s just intentional. With warm water, gentle detergent, low heat, and the right storage, your DreamFit sheets will stay soft, breathable, and perfectly fitted for years.
Great bedding isn’t just about the purchase—it’s about the maintenance that keeps it luxurious. And with DreamFit’s premium materials and patented design, proper care makes your sheets feel even better over time.
