Washing tips

A noble material, Egyptian cotton deserves to be treated with the utmost care. Perhaps you're wondering how best to care for your Egyptian cotton linen? Here are a few tips to help you make the most of this top quality fabric over the long term...

General principles of linen care

You've just bought a bed linen set or a beautiful set of towels in Egyptian cotton. Congratulations! To enjoy them for as long as possible and keep their qualities intact, you'll need to take a few precautions. Before you wash them for the first time, soak them overnight in cold water, without adding any detergent. This will remove any substances or dust that may have settled on the fabric during manufacture, transport or storage. This operation is also very useful for preventing any stains from sticking to your linen.

Sorting for better washing

To optimise the washing phase, the first thing to do is to sort the different items of laundry you will be putting in your machine. This sorting principle applies not only to colours (white on one side, colours on the other, to avoid unfortunate colour transfers...), but also to the type of laundry to be washed. A concrete example: by washing your sheets and towels separately from the rest of your laundry, you protect them from damage caused by buttons or zip fasteners, which are often found on clothes. Washing causes repeated rubbing, which can damage the fibres of your linen.

How should Egyptian cotton items be washed?

A few simple rules are all it takes to extend the already remarkable durability of items made from Egyptian cotton. Naturally hardwearing, this premium cotton is nonetheless a "living" material that needs to be pampered. There's no need, for example, to abuse your duvet cover with an excessively aggressive programme or a wash temperature that's too high... Given the current level of performance of washing machines, a 40°C cycle is more than sufficient.

Another important point: to be washed optimally, clothes must be able to move freely in the drum. So, as far as possible, try not to overload your washing machine: your clothes will thank you for it!

What to do depending on the type of stain

Laundry can sometimes become stained. The most effective solution is to pre-treat the stain with soap and water, or a stain remover in difficult cases, before putting the clothes in the washing machine. Generally speaking, to remove a stain, use a stain remover directly on the stain and then wash it. If the stains are still there, use a Marseille soap that you lather up with cold water and leave overnight in the soapy water. Finally, bleach can be used safely on white cotton. However, never use chlorine, as it slowly burns the cotton fibre. It can be used in very dilute form to bleach one item of clothing, but leave the job to a professional. Depending on the type of stain, different treatments are possible:

Types of stain	Advice
Butter and margarine	Dab the stain with diluted washing-up liquid. Repeat the operation several times if necessary. Then wash
Candle	Carefully remove the wax with your fingernail. Place the stained item between two pieces of tissue paper or blotting paper and press down with a hot iron. The remaining wax will be absorbed by the paper.
Coffee or tea	Moisten the coffee or tea stain with lukewarm water, then sprinkle with bicarbonate, rub and rinse.
Fruit and berries	Sprinkle with salt and mild liquid soap. Leave for a few hours and rinse thoroughly.
Grease	Sprinkle the stain with bicarbonate and leave for a few hours. Scrape gently, then repeat the operation several times. Brush to remove the powder, then wash as normal.
Mould and Rust	Apply white vinegar or lemon juice to stop the mould. Leave to dry in the sun for a few hours. Wash as usual, but separately
Lipstick	Scrape off as much of the stain as possible using a knife with a non-sharp blade. Use a fabric stain remover before washing and rub with a clean white cloth. Then wash as usual, following the washing instructions.
Blood	Clean blood stains immediately with cold water (never with hot water, which will set the stain permanently). Then soak in cold water with two cups of salt for 24 hours and wash as usual.
Red wine or jam	Scrub immediately with sparkling water, then wash as normalQuels produits pour l'entretien du linge de maison en coton égyptien ?

To avoid whitish streaks and unsightly deposits on your bath or bed linen, choose liquid detergents rather than washing powders. By coating the fibres with a sort of primer, softeners have a paradoxical tendency to make clothes rougher and rougher over time. So it's best not to use them on Egyptian cotton items. Also avoid bleaches, bleach and chlorine, which are guaranteed to damage your items. Generally speaking, the fewer chemicals you use, the better for your clothes!

Drying clothes in Egyptian cotton

When it comes to drying, what should you choose for this precious fabric: tumble dryer or yarn? Once again, if you can, opt for the simplest methods. There's nothing like line-drying, and if possible, air-drying, to preserve the benefits of Egyptian cotton. Enjoy fresh sheets, fluffy towels and deliciously soft pillows! However, be careful not to leave your linen exposed to sunlight for too long, as it may turn yellow.

The question of ironing

A symbol of refinement, unanimously acclaimed by its users for the pleasure it provides, Egyptian cotton is anything but cold and staid. Vibrant, silky and particularly comfortable, it can have a tendency to crease. As a premium fabric, it benefits from being ironed, adding an extra touch of elegance to your interior. For impeccable results, remember to take your washing out of the machine as soon as the wash cycle is complete: this will prevent the formation of creases that are difficult to remove. We recommend ironing on a hot iron, preferably when the clothes are still slightly damp. Please note: items made from Egyptian cotton become softer with use. Ironing will become easier over time.

Looking for Egyptian cotton sheets? Take a look at our collection of flat sheets and fitted sheets!