Wash new sheets — New sheets are coated in factory finishes, dyes and starch. Our team explains why the first wash matters, what temperature to use, and how to avoid shrinkage.
Priya on our team got contact dermatitis from a new set of sheets in 2022 — turned out to be the formaldehyde-based wrinkle-resistant finish. Now she washes everything, twice. Here’s the case for doing the same.
What’s on new sheets out of the packet (Wash new sheets)
- Sizing / starch. Cotton sheets often have starch sprays applied at the factory to make them feel crisp and fold neatly. Itches, doesn’t breathe.
- Dye residue. Excess dye that didn’t bond — comes out in the first wash.
- Wrinkle-resistant finishes. Most “non-iron” or “easy-care” cotton uses formaldehyde-based resins. These off-gas slowly. Some people are sensitive to them.
- Manufacturing residues. Lubricants from looms, packing dust, and (rarely) pesticide residue from non-organic cotton.
How to wash them properly the first time
- Wash separately from other laundry — colour bleed is real for the first 1–2 washes.
- Cold or warm water (40°C max). Hot water can shrink cotton and lock in any remaining dye.
- Mild liquid detergent. Avoid fabric softener — it coats fibres and reduces breathability for the lifetime of the sheets.
- Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. Strips residual finishes, sets the dye.
- Tumble dry on low or line dry. High heat shrinks cotton.
What about linen, bamboo, silk?
Linen: cold or warm wash, line dry. Linen actually softens significantly with each wash for the first 5–10 cycles.
Bamboo: gentle cycle, cold water, mild detergent. Tumble dry on low or line dry.
Silk: usually dry-clean for the first wash, then hand-wash in cold water with silk detergent.
Shrinkage
Cotton sheets typically shrink 3–5% in the first wash. Manufacturers account for this — the size on the packet is “before-shrink.” If you want to be safe, wash a fitted sheet first (it’s more sensitive to shrinkage) before committing to the full set.
How often to wash sheets generally
Every 7 days for shared beds, every 10–14 for single sleepers. Pillowcases ideally every 3–4 days for face-acne management. Doona covers monthly. The doona itself every 6 months — see our doona-washing guide.
For independent guidance on sleep and wellbeing, the Sleep Health Foundation is a good starting point.
