How to Wash Microfiber Sheets: Laundering Microfiber Sheets Properly

Learning how to wash microfiber sheets is crucial because it helps you preserve them so they look and feel great for a long time. Microfiber sheets are a very popular fabric for many reasons, including:

• They come in a multitude of colors and sizes
• They’re easy to care
• They're extremely affordable

However, laundering microfiber sheets properly is very important. Otherwise, you can damage the fibers and ruin the look. Let’s take a look at what microfiber is and how you can care for your microfiber sheets properly.

What Is Microfiber?

Microfiber is a man-made fiber that is very thin and durable. A single microfiber is no thicker than human hair but far more resilient. It’s been around since the 1950s, but it’s gained popularity in the past decade because it is so easy to care for and suits busy households that don’t have time to fuss with their bed linens.

Microfiber Sheet Quality

Just as with any other fabric, the quality of microfiber can vary. All sheet manufacturers grade microfiber by weight (grams per square meter, or GSM), not thread count.

A higher GSM indicates denser, more durable fabric. Sheets typically range between 90 and 110 GSM. A good quality set like our Vilano Deep Pocket Sheets offers 110 GSM and a lustrous, silky finish.

Microfibers are very thin and woven to feel silky but also very strong. They’re great for people with allergies since the weave is so tight they can trap dust mites and keep them away from your body.

Nonetheless, you need to treat your microfiber sheets with care; otherwise, they won’t last as long as they should.

Shop for microfiber sheets in neutral tones. 

Why Do You Need To Know How to Wash Microfiber Sheets?

There are distinct ways to care for different fabrics. Laundering your bedding using the care instructions will save you money by ensuring your sheets retain their durability, helping them last. 

The tightly woven fibers that form microfiber sheets help prevent bacteria, dirt, fungi, grease, and viruses from getting through the fabric. This means that maintaining your microfiber sheets is also a way of protecting your health.

Washing Microfiber Sheets

A good set of microfiber bed sheets should last far longer than cotton, bamboo, or silk, making them extremely economical. Plus, you do not need to iron them for a very crisp, clean finish.

Always check the label for washing instructions. Typically, you’ll find the manufacturer recommends either a cold or warm water wash. The reason for this is high temperatures can melt the fibers and leave your sheets permanently wrinkled and uncomfortable.

Do not use fabric softener on microfiber sheets. Some people claim microfiber does not breathe, but of course, this isn’t true — it’s a woven fabric. More accurately, fabric softener clogs the spaces between the weave.

You should use perfume-free detergent to avoid clogging the spaces between the weave. Clogging these spaces undermines the microfiber’s ability to trap bacteria, dirt, fungi, grease, and viruses, preventing you from enjoying the expected health benefits of microfiber sheets. 

Do not wash microfiber with cotton, as it will pick up lint during washing. Wash microfiber sheets alone or with other synthetics that do not produce lint.

You can add vinegar when you put your sheets in the washing machine. Vinegar kills mold and odors and helps your laundry smell fresh.

You should opt for the delicate or gentle cycle when using your washing machine to clean microfiber sheets. 

How to Wash Microfiber Sheets by Hand

Although most people use washing machines for convenience, you may prefer washing your sheets by hand. Follow these steps when washing microfiber sheets by hand:

• Take your sheets outside and shake them out. This removes loose dirt, hair, and dust. 
• Fill a sink, tub, or basin with water. Use cold or warm water, but do not use hot water.
• Mix perfume-free detergent with the water. You have the option of adding vinegar to remove mold and odors.
• Scrub the sheets.
• Soak the sheets for approximately a quarter of an hour.
• Lightly scrub the sheets again.
• Rinse the sheets.
• Ring out the sheets.
• Hang the sheets to dry them or dry them on low heat in a dryer.

How Often Should Microfiber Sheets Be Washed?

Most people should plan to wash their microfiber sheets after using them for one week. You may not need to wash your sheets weekly if you don’t sleep in your bed every night. For example, firefighters may sleep some nights at their stations, and some travel frequently for work. You may also spend some nights sleeping at a partner’s house each week. Whatever the reason, if you don’t use your bed every night, you may only need to wash your sheets once every two weeks.

There are also reasons you may need to wash your sheets more often, including the following:

• Cleanliness: Perhaps your work involves responding to emergency calls in the middle of the night, and you don’t feel like having a shower when you return home. You may bring more dirt and grease into your bed than usual; if that happens, you’ll need to wash your sheets more often.
• Health issues: People with hyperhidrosis sweat more than typical. You may need to wash your sheets more often if you suffer from excessive sweating because of hyperhidrosis, fever, or hot flashes.
• Pets: People who let pets sleep with them may wash their sheets frequently to remove pet hair. 

Treating Stains on Microfiber Sheets

The sooner you treat stains, the better your chances of successfully removing the stain. Take the following steps:

• Take the stained sheets off your bed.
• Put the sheets in a plugged sink or a bucket and wet them with cold water.
• Use 3% hydrogen peroxide to treat the stain. Apply it directly to the stain. Tip: Only use as much as you need to treat the stain. 
• Let the sheets sit for up to 20 minutes until the stain is gone. If the stain isn’t mostly or entirely gone, you may need to apply more hydrogen peroxide and let it sit for another 20 minutes.
• Wash your sheets.

Drying Microfiber Sheets

Drying microfiber sheets improperly is the most common way they’re ruined. Since microfiber is man-made and fine, it dries pretty quickly. Sticking your microfiber sheets in a hot dryer can damage the fibers and cause permanent wrinkles.

Typically, manufacturers recommend low heat or air with dryer balls. If you need to put them in the dryer, put them on for a short period; you can damage your microfiber sheets if you dry them for too long. Make sure you read the label. 

Once dry, remove them from the dryer immediately and fold or put them back on your bed. They do not need ironing, but if you’re a stickler for a crisp finish, you can touch them up with an iron on low.

Ironing Microfiber Sheets 

It isn’t necessary to iron your microfiber sheets. Microfiber doesn’t shrink when cared for correctly, and it’s also wrinkle-resistant. However, if you want to iron your sheets, you can. Since heat damages microfiber, you should have your iron on a low setting.

Softening Microfiber Sheets 

You shouldn’t need to soften your microfiber sheets if you follow the care instructions. Microfiber is very soft and maintains its softness.

Avoid fabric softeners if you want or need to soften your microfiber sheets. You can add white vinegar when washing your sheets to make them softer. Baking soda also softens sheets. Add the baking soda when you’re setting up the wash cycle. The standard amount needed for a regular load of laundry is half a cup.

Storing Microfiber Sheets

Store clean, dry sheets in an area where air can circulate around them. Do not store them in plastic because it promotes mildew growth and will not smell as fresh as they should.

Since microfiber sheets are so inexpensive, buy two sets and swap one for the other when doing laundry. They come in countless sizes, colors, and designs, so changing up your décor is simple, too.

Microfiber Sheets From Southshore Fine Linens

Southshore Fine Linens has an impressive selection of microfiber comforters, duvet covers, quilts, bed skirts, pillowcases, and sheets. 

Choosing microfiber bedding and learning how to wash it ensures you’ll have clean, soft sheets to sleep on when it’s time to go to bed. 

Explore Southshore Fine Linens collection of microfiber sheets now.