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Refresh your duvet inner
If you have invested in a quality duvet you'll want to keep it looking and feeling good for as long as possible. While the temperature is still tolerable, freshen up your duvet on the washing line, and let the sun and air naturally clean and deodorize it.
If your duvet inner is machine washable, pop it inside - or soak it in a bath - every 6 months or so to keep it in good condition. Larger inners may need to be taken to the launderette. Check the care label for washing instructions, but if in doubt, go for a small amount of mild detergent and a gentle, cool wash.
Cleaning your mattress
Use a good quality vacuum cleaner to suck away dust, dead skin and bed bugs every week or so. If you have a hydro vacuum cleaner, you can use it to sanitise the top of the mattress every 3 to 4 months, but do check the manufacturer's instructions before you do, as some advise against this. If this is the case, wipe down the covering of the mattress regularly with damp cloth and a few drops of tea tree oil.
Avoid stains by using a mattress protector, but if you do get marks, dab them with some carpet cleaner or any suitable detergent and make sure the mattress is dry before making up the bed.
Snuggle this winter
With the cost of electricity rising, you will need plenty of fresh, warm blankets to keep you warm.
While wool blankets usually need a good dry clean, most synthetic and cotton blankets are machine washable - just be sure to follow instructions on the care label. Washable blankets can also be rinsed in a bath with a small amount of laundry detergent and hung out to dry on a washing line or inside, away from direct heat and sunlight.
Rest your head
Quality pillows are usually machine washable, but check the care label first. Tumble dry pillows on a low-heat setting – a couple of tennis balls in the drum with them will prevent the feathers from clumping, but check that they are colourfast first.
Hang pillows on the washing line for a morning - or afternoon - preferably in a shady spot, to ensure that the filling is totally dry before putting back on your bed.
Treat your windows
Unless your curtains are machine washable, you’ll need to regularly vacuum them to keep it looking clean and smelling fresh. Do check the care label first, and wash on a cool cycle before hanging outdoors to dry.
If hand washing is recommended, you may want to do it in the bath unless they are quite small. Use a gentle fabric detergent without optical brighteners or bleaching agents that tend to affect the fabric colour, and make sure it’s thoroughly dissolved in the water before adding the curtains. Adopt a gentle squeezing technique rather than a firm rub and rinse thoroughly. Follow the care label or go for a fairly slow spin – the curtains need to be heavy enough with water to smooth out when hung up to dry.
Heavy, lined curtains will normally have to be cleaned on the rail or taken down and sent in for a dry clean.
Janice Anderssen is Women24's Decor and DIY expert. Ask her a question here or visit www.homedzine.co.za for more tips.
Follow Women24 on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
If you have invested in a quality duvet you'll want to keep it looking and feeling good for as long as possible. While the temperature is still tolerable, freshen up your duvet on the washing line, and let the sun and air naturally clean and deodorize it.
If your duvet inner is machine washable, pop it inside - or soak it in a bath - every 6 months or so to keep it in good condition. Larger inners may need to be taken to the launderette. Check the care label for washing instructions, but if in doubt, go for a small amount of mild detergent and a gentle, cool wash.
Cleaning your mattress
Use a good quality vacuum cleaner to suck away dust, dead skin and bed bugs every week or so. If you have a hydro vacuum cleaner, you can use it to sanitise the top of the mattress every 3 to 4 months, but do check the manufacturer's instructions before you do, as some advise against this. If this is the case, wipe down the covering of the mattress regularly with damp cloth and a few drops of tea tree oil.
Avoid stains by using a mattress protector, but if you do get marks, dab them with some carpet cleaner or any suitable detergent and make sure the mattress is dry before making up the bed.
Snuggle this winter
With the cost of electricity rising, you will need plenty of fresh, warm blankets to keep you warm.
While wool blankets usually need a good dry clean, most synthetic and cotton blankets are machine washable - just be sure to follow instructions on the care label. Washable blankets can also be rinsed in a bath with a small amount of laundry detergent and hung out to dry on a washing line or inside, away from direct heat and sunlight.
Rest your head
Quality pillows are usually machine washable, but check the care label first. Tumble dry pillows on a low-heat setting – a couple of tennis balls in the drum with them will prevent the feathers from clumping, but check that they are colourfast first.
Hang pillows on the washing line for a morning - or afternoon - preferably in a shady spot, to ensure that the filling is totally dry before putting back on your bed.
Treat your windows
Unless your curtains are machine washable, you’ll need to regularly vacuum them to keep it looking clean and smelling fresh. Do check the care label first, and wash on a cool cycle before hanging outdoors to dry.
If hand washing is recommended, you may want to do it in the bath unless they are quite small. Use a gentle fabric detergent without optical brighteners or bleaching agents that tend to affect the fabric colour, and make sure it’s thoroughly dissolved in the water before adding the curtains. Adopt a gentle squeezing technique rather than a firm rub and rinse thoroughly. Follow the care label or go for a fairly slow spin – the curtains need to be heavy enough with water to smooth out when hung up to dry.
Heavy, lined curtains will normally have to be cleaned on the rail or taken down and sent in for a dry clean.
Janice Anderssen is Women24's Decor and DIY expert. Ask her a question here or visit www.homedzine.co.za for more tips.
Follow Women24 on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
