In this life, we’re always chasing a good night’s sleep streak…the average person spending about 35% of their life sleeping amongst their bedding. However, surprisingly, almost a quarter of people haven’t even considered washing their duvet whilst a third of people have gone a whole decade without replacing their sheets.

Here at OHS, we’re firm believers that your bed set-up plays a huge role in securing a superior slumber and reaping the benefits. But how do we take care of our bedding as well as we take care of ourselves?

Let’s find out how to take care of our bedding and ultimately keep it in tip-top condition…

Duvets & Pillows

To wash duvets and pillows that are synthetic (like our Brentfords essential range), cotton or down, you are normally able to do so at home in an ordinary washing machine. Once they’ve been on a warm cycle or two, make sure they’re well aired, preferably in the sun, for optimum cleanliness and to remove any remaining chemical scents.

You only need to use a small amount of detergent when you wash duvets and pillows, around a third of what you’d use for an ordinary load. We cannot stress enough that you should always refer to the instructions on the care label first!

If you don’t have enough capacity for them to move around freely at home, take your bedding over to the local laundrette or dry cleaner and avoid damaging your machine. Either way, try to keep your pillows inside a pillowcase when washing to steer clear of snagging the filling.

In terms of frequency, it’s recommended that you wash these items twice a year…yes, TWICE! We know that those of you who usually don’t bother will need a second to recover from that bit of information.

Aside from washing, it’s best to use a duvet and pillow protector as a layer of protection from general wear and tear. Finally, don’t forget to fluff your bedding well on a daily basis…letting the air filter in and out will free up any clumping and help maintain the quality.

Shop our full Duvets & Pillows collection.

Duvet Sets & Sheets

It’s expected that our bed sheets can collect a considerable amount of dust, dirt and body oils which cause bacteria since they make direct contact with our skin each night. Therefore, they are the bedding item you should wash most often, ideally once every 1-2 weeks. Otherwise, you run the risk of the bacteria transferring through to your pillows, duvet and mattress, especially if you have a tendency to get hot whilst you’re asleep.

As we recommend with duvets and pillows, remember to check the care label before you throw bedding in the machine and hope for the best. To avoid snagging, it’s best to wash bedding separately from clothing if you can.

Plan on picking up a new duvet set or some sheets? We also advise giving them a wash before you use them so they’re super soft and fresh for your first night.

Last but not least, to prevent mildew, make sure the sheets are bone dry before you fold and store them. And, if you have the time, ironing them is a great way to keep them crisp.

Shop our full Bedding collection.


For more tips on how to take care of your soft furnishings, browse the 'Buying Guides' category of our blog or simply refer to the product descriptions.