A stain on the bedding can happen in no time: a drop of blood after a mosquito bite, makeup residue on the pillowcase, or coffee during breakfast in bed. The good news: In most cases, stains can be removed from bedding without affecting the color, feel, or structure of the fabric – provided you do it correctly. Three things are crucial: acting quickly, using the right method for the type of stain, and considering the material. In this guide, we will walk you through both.
The three basic rules before you reach for a stain remover
1. Fresh is always easier. A stain that hasn't dried yet can often be loosened with cold water. Therefore, treat it as soon as possible and do not leave the laundry in the hamper for days.
2. Dab, don't rub. Rubbing spreads the stain over a larger area and pushes it deeper into the fibers. Place a clean cloth under the area and dab the stain from the outside in.
3. Cold first, then warm. Protein-based stains – blood, sweat, milk – coagulate when exposed to heat and become permanently set. Always rinse these stains with cold water first. Heat only helps with oil- and dye-based stains.
Removing stains from bedding: the most common cases
Blood
Rinse immediately with cold water until no more residue comes off. If a residue remains, soak it in cold water with a little gall soap for 20 to 30 minutes. Then wash as usual. Never pre-treat with warm water.
Sweat and deodorant marks
Yellowish marks are caused by salts, skin oils, and aluminum salts. A pre-wash in lukewarm water with one tablespoon of citric acid or baking soda per liter has proven effective. Then wash at the temperature specified on the care label. If you generally sweat a lot, it is worth taking a look at the material: breathable qualities such as seersucker or moisture-regulating TENCEL address the problem at its source. Find out more in our article Why do I sweat at night?
Makeup, cream, and sunscreen
These stains contain oil. Apply a drop of liquid detergent or gall soap directly to the area, work it in gently, and leave it to work for 15 minutes. Then wash at 40 to 60 °C. For heavily pigmented foundation, a second wash may be necessary – please wait until the stain is completely gone before drying.
Coffee, tea, red wine
Rinse dye stains first with plenty of lukewarm water. Red wine can be lightened with sparkling water; the salt often recommended draws out moisture, but should be thoroughly rinsed out. Then wash as usual. Oxygen bleach can also be used on white bedding, but not on colored linen.
Oil and grease
Carefully dab off any excess, then sprinkle some cornstarch or baby powder on it and leave it to work for 20 minutes. The powder binds the grease and can be brushed off. Only then pre-treat with detergent and wash.
What the material can and cannot withstand
Pure cotton bedding is fortunately very robust. Our Flannel quality, with its 160 g/m², can withstand both a pre-wash and washing at 60 °C – not for nothing has it been our core product for decades. Renforcé is also uncomplicated in everyday use.
Smooth, highly refined fabrics require a little more care: With Mako Satin made from combed cotton in an atlas weave, you should avoid stiff brushes and chlorine bleach to preserve its characteristic sheen. For synthetic fiber qualities, the rule is: no high temperatures and no solvent-based stain removers, as the fibers react sensitively.
As a general rule, always follow the care label. We explain how to read the symbols correctly in Understanding the care symbols on bedding. And always test any home remedy on a hidden area first, such as the inside of the button placket.
After stain treatment: do not dry too soon
The most common mistake happens at the end. Be sure to check the area while it is still wet before putting the laundry in the dryer or on the line. Dryer heat often permanently sets residual stains. Read which qualities can go in the dryer and which are better suited to the clothesline in Drying bedding: dryer or clothesline?. You can find further basics on laundry care in our 7 professional tips for washing and caring.
One point that is often underestimated: how well a stain can be removed also depends on the quality of the fabric. Densely and evenly woven fabrics made from good yarns absorb dirt less deeply than loose, cheap materials. As a manufacturer with our own weaving mill in Hamminkeln, we pay close attention to this – you will find the entire range in our bedding overview.
Frequently asked questions
Can I simply wash bedding at a high temperature to make stains disappear?
With protein-based stains such as blood or sweat, this is counterproductive – heat sets them. Pre-treat these stains with cold water first and only then wash at the approved temperature.
Are home remedies such as baking soda and citric acid suitable for bedding?
Yes, in the dilution mentioned, they are well suited for cotton qualities and gentler than harsh bleaching agents. For colored bedding and synthetic fibers, please test on a hidden area first.
What should I do with an old, dried-in stain?
Soaking for longer is the key here: leave it for several hours in lukewarm water with detergent or gall soap, then wash. It often takes two washes. If a faint shadow remains, oxygen bleach can help with white laundry.
