Satin is a luxurious fabric woven to have a glossy face and a soft, slippery texture. Originally made of silk, it is now available in acetate, rayon, cotton, nylon and polyester. Satin bedding spices up the bedroom. Satin sheets offer a smooth and luxurious feeling to our nighttime slumber. Satin feels soft and cool against the skin. However satin sheets cost a fortune. They are very delicate and should be cleaned a proper way to prevent tearing and weakening the fabrics.
General care
The first step is prevention. This means no eating or drinking in the bed, no pets allowed, and no bleaching of any kind. Satin bedding should be stored in airtight containers in a dark, cool place. Sheets should be aired out periodically so that hey are fresh and ready for use. Satin fabric is adversely affected by high temperatures. So satin bedding should not be exposed to heat from radiators or other heaters. The heat causes the fibers to break down and lowers the quality of satin bedding. One should not sit or lie on satin bedding wearing clothing that has metal buttons or zippers on it because they may cause snags in satin bedding.
To remove stains from satin, the stain should be immediately immersed in cold water. If the stain does not remove on soaking, a bleach free stain remover should be used. Ironing, if needed, should be done on a low setting.
Washing and Drying
Satin sheets require more care than regular cotton sheets especially in washing. Washing satin sheets depends on the material they’re made of and can be divided into two categories: silk or acetate and nylon or polyester. Silk and acetate are delicate. In comparison nylon and polyester hold up better.
Hand washing is considered the best for satin. It keeps the fabric strong and together. However, nylon and polyester satin may be machine washed on a gentle cycle using cool or lukewarm water only. Harsh detergents harm satin bedding, a detergent meant for delicate fabrics should be used. Manufacturer’s instructions should always be followed.
Dry cleaning is recommended for extremely delicate satin like acetate and silk fiber satin, since it would prevent color fade and damage to the material. Dry cleaning is also the best option for satin comforters and bedspreads because they are too heavy for hand washing and bunch up in the machine. Bleach should never be used on satin.
Do not twist or wring out satin sheets or pillowcases. To remove excess moisture, lay them on a thick, dry towel and roll the towel around the satin sheets. Satin can be very fragile when wet, hence it can tear, if wrung. Satin sheets should not be dried in clothes dryer. They should be air dried, indoors. Direct sunlight causes satin to fade. Those who think that their sheets would be exposed to a lot of sunlight should opt for satin made from acetate or polyester.
Proper care and maintenance can prolong the life of satin bedding and can enable you to get maximum mileage out of your investment.
Posted in Luxury Bedding