DH and sheets

[MyrtleStrumpet]

I bought two new bed sets in dark burgundy and dark green. I washed both sets before I used them.

When I changed the bedding after the first week, the burgundy sheet on DH's side of the bed was markedly darker than mine.

As per the washing instructions, I washed the bedding at 40 degrees.

I put the green set on the bed and checked every day to see when it got darker. It was noticeable after three days, and I washed the sheets, etc, today after a week.

When I put the burgundy set on the bed, I noticed that there was still a dark stain on his side of the bed, despite the wash.

I have two questions:

1. What is causing the staining? He is 60, very hairy, but doesn't sweat as much as I do (menopause), and we have a fan in the bedroom, don't heat it and keep the window open during the day, whatever the weather.
2. Even though the wash label says 40 degrees, should I wash the bedding at 60 degrees to remove the stain? Will the staining disappear, and will it be bad for the bedding? It was quite expensive so I don't want to have to replace it sooner than usual.

Does he wear pyjamas, and do you?

If he doesn't wear pyjamas, a T-shirt etc to bed, my guess is that it's the oils from his skin that are causing the dark patch.

I imagine that you either wear pyjamas/ a nightdress that prevents direct contact of your skin with the bedding, or else your skin is less oily, so these marks don't appear on your side of the bed.

Are they polyester-cotton mix? They stain more easily with grease and can’t be washed at high temperatures.

He wears underpants (fitted boxer shorts) and nothing else. I wear pyjamas though occasionally I dont wear anything. He also stains the pillowcase with his head - he's mostly bald but has some hair (like a monk at the back and sides) he gets cut short every three weeks.

The bedding is 100% Egyptian cotton.

It will be his body oils (sebum) doing that. Buy him some nice jimjams for Christmas.

Unfortunately he won't wear pyjamas as he says he gets too hot. I can wash the sheets at 60 and see if that sorts it out. It's not the staining per se that bothers me, but the fact that it didn't wash out.

I may alsohave to wash the sheet and pillowcases more than once a week which is really annoying.

Perhaps ivory or cream coloured sheets would be better, in that they may not show the grease so much?

Does he wash his back and head with soap, or is he someone who thinks water alone on non-dirty parts of the body is sufficient? Because water by itself doesn't remove body oil.

He showers every day, and uses Dermol.

I wash my sheets at 50 anyway I'm sure thats needed to Kill germs ?.

Are you using power or liquid in the washing machine, I think powder is better for grease removal.

We have an all-singing, all-dancing machine that automatically works out how much detergent is needed, how heavythe load is and how long to wash, rinse and spin. But it can only use liquid detergent.

I used to only use big box powder as they genuinely are the best at getting stains out, but I can't with this machine.

I'll wash them on Wednesday at 60 degrees and see if that makes a difference.

I am not going to buy more bedding when I've just spent a lot of money on these.

It's the dermol. Wash them hotter - cotton sheets can take it, can you add some vanish to the wash? Skip the fabric conditioner as well and just use a bit of vinegar, you need to get all the oil out,

Miele Twindos? Stick powder in the drawer or the drum instead.

https://www.miele.co.uk/c/laundry-tech-washing-machines-auto-dosing-9392.htm#:~:text=We%20Didn't%20Forget%20About,liquid%20detergents%2C%20should%20you%20prefer.

It's his emollient that's causing it.

No it's a Bosch.

Can he use a different soap after the emollient?

The fabric conditioner is also automatically dispensed but I'll see if I can turn it off.

@MyrtleStrumpet how about a pre soak in washing powder to get started, then a quick rinse before popping in the machine?

That's a terrific idea, thank you.

My best friend's adult daughter gave me a brilliant tip for small stains - kitchen roll under the clothes and under the stain. Vanish on stain. Leave for a day. Hand-wash then machine wash. Nearly all the stains (from a lovely meal with my friend, hence the tip) were gone when I came to hand-wash and were gone after the machine wash.

These are too big to do the same but the soakis a similar idea.

The emollient is designed to keep his skin moist and adds oils to prevent it drying out. Soap after would defeat this completely.

I agree with pp. just need to wash at 60 ( and I would stick the powder in the drum)

No. The point of emollient for washing is because he's got some kind of skin conditions that's being kept at bay with it. It doesn't dry the skin out (remove all the natural oils) like other washing products do and it leaves a layer of its own oiliness behind to help skin stay moist.

I have eczema. The amount of cream I need to use, it gets everywhere. My skin can't be allowed to dry out too much because it'll crack and infections get in. Oily fingerprints all over my home/phone from handcream permanently, although I thoroughly clean weekly. Clothes go in the laundry basket after one day's wear for a 40°C wash, including heavy jumpers and jeans, because they'll have the oils from the cream on them. Sheets and towels once or twice weekly at 60°C.

TBH if you want pristine sheets with no oily buildup you're probably going to have to wash them daily. If you're doing it weekly, boil washing with powder detergent and bleach or something is probably going to be needed to get all the oily buildup out. The all singing and dancing washing machine is of no use if it can't actually clean your fabrics effectively.