Bettwäsche5 Min. Lesezeit · Aktualisiert am 01.11.2026

Washing Bedding: Temperature, Dryer, Ironing

Here’s how to wash bed linen properly: the right temperature, the right detergent, why you should zip it up and turn it inside out – and what to keep in mind when drying and ironing.

Traumwelt BettwarenfabrikBettwaren-Team aus Berlin

In short: Depending on the care label, you wash cotton bedding at 40 to 60 °C. Zip up the zipper and turn the pillowcases inside out beforehand. Put colorful and dark bedding in the machine with color detergent, and white bedding with all-purpose detergent. The care label will tell you whether drying and ironing are allowed and at what temperature.

Bedding is quick to wash – and yet it is worth doing a few things properly. This keeps it hygienically clean, preserves its color, and ensures it still feels good even after many washes. Here are the most important points, backed by expert recommendations and our product information. How often bedding should be washed is explained in the guide How often should you change your bedding?

Before washing: zip up, turn inside out

The German Laundry and Detergent Association (IKW) recommends in its laundry care tips: turn bedding inside out and button it up, and zip up the zippers. This prevents smaller laundry items from getting caught in the pillowcase and prevents imbalance during spinning. A closed zipper can also prevent other textiles from snagging.

Zip up the zipper or button up the buttons.
Turn the pillowcases inside out. This protects the surface – especially with smooth sateen – and lint is more likely to collect on the inside.
Sort by color: Wash light and dark bedding separately.
Read the care label. It indicates the maximum temperature and shows whether drying and ironing are allowed.
Do not overload the machine. Laundry needs space to get properly clean.

What temperature?

The maximum temperature is shown on the care label. Cotton bedding can often withstand 60 °C. In the Apotheken Umschau, household management expert Martina Schäfer recommends washing bedding at 60 °C with all-purpose powder detergent, because its bleach kills germs. According to the article, the German Environment Agency recommends running a 60-degree wash cycle with bleach-containing all-purpose detergent every two weeks or after every fifth wash – this also keeps the machine clean.

Those prone to dust mite allergies usually wash bedding at 60 °C, provided the label allows it. Find out more in the guide Dust mite allergies and bedding.

The right detergent

Bedding	Detergent	Temperature
White or off-white	All-purpose detergent (with bleach)	according to IKW from 40 °C up to the maximum temperature on the label
Colorful	Color detergent	according to IKW maximum 60 °C, according to the label
Dark (e.g. navy, black)	Color detergent, possibly special black/dark detergent	according to the label

Source for detergent recommendations: IKW, quoted from dpa/Apotheken Umschau (Report from July 2026).

All-purpose detergent contains bleach. This is good for white laundry, but can bleach colored and dark fabrics over time. Therefore, it is better to use color detergent for colored bedding. You don't necessarily need fabric softener – cotton also becomes soft without it.

New and dark bedding

New, strongly dyed textiles can release some color during the first few washes. Therefore, wash dark bedding in navy or black separately or only with similar colors for the first few times. Many people also wash new bedding once before the first use so that it feels softer. The same applies here: the information on the care label takes precedence.

Tumble dryer or clothesline?

Whether bedding can go in the dryer is shown by the dryer symbol on the care label – this is also emphasized by the IKW. It is important to know: according to the IKW, a tumble dryer uses up to twice as much energy as the wash cycle itself. If you have space, the clothesline is the more economical choice.

On the clothesline: Hang the pillowcases flat and give them a good shake beforehand. This saves ironing later. Do not hang dark bedding out in the direct sun for hours.
In the dryer: only if the label allows it. A lower setting protects the fibers. Take the bedding out in time while it is still slightly damp and smooth it out.
Dry completely: Only put bedding back in the closet when it is completely dry.

Ironing: necessary or not?

Ironing is not a must. Flat-hung bedding often already looks neat. If you want to iron, the temperature is determined by the ironing symbol on the care label, according to the IKW. Slightly damp bedding is easier to smooth out. It is best to iron sateen on the wrong side so that the shiny side does not get pressure marks. The guide Satin, Mako-Satin, Percale or Ticking explains what distinguishes sateen from percale or ticking.

How to care for our sateen bedding

For the BEFA Natur sateen bedding design 42, the following applies according to the product description:

100% cotton in sateen weave, washable at 60 °C
Zip up the zipper and turn the pillowcases inside out before washing
Also follow the care label – it also contains information about drying and ironing

Washable at 60 °CSateen bedding design 42 – Black100% cotton in sateen weave, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, with concealed zipper and double seams.View bedding

Washing bedding does not mean washing the duvet

Bedding goes into the machine regularly, but the duvet and pillow only occasionally. Down requires special care when washing and drying. You can read how to do this in the guide Washing a duvet. Yellow stains on the pillow itself are usually caused by sweat – find tips on this in the article Pillow with yellow stains. You can find the care instructions for our products in the Care Instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what temperature should I wash bedding?
As hot as the care label allows. Cotton bedding can often withstand 60 °C. Our sateen bedding is washable at 60 °C.

Are 40 °C enough?
Often yes for everyday use. However, according to the German Environment Agency (quoted in Apotheken Umschau), a 60-degree wash cycle with bleach-containing all-purpose detergent should be included regularly. Many people wash at 60 °C as a general rule if they have a dust mite allergy.

Why should I wash bedding inside out?
This protects the surface and prevents small laundry items from getting caught in the pillowcase. This recommendation is also made by the IKW.

Can bedding go in the dryer?
Only if the dryer symbol on the care label allows it. The clothesline saves energy.

Do I have to iron bedding?
No. Flat-hung bedding often already looks neat. If you iron, follow the ironing symbol.