There is nothing more iconic than crisp white bed sheets paired with a bright white duvet cover and white pillow shams. However, a white color scheme can have several notable drawbacks. The Fig Linens and Home team will review all of the pros and cons of white bedding to help you decide if white bedding is the right choice for your home.
In the first half of the article, we will review the positives of white bedding sets. We will go over our bestselling white cotton bedding and white silk bedding from luxury bedding brands like Matouk, Sferra, and Frette. Then, we will look at how to keep white bedding white and review some washing tips for bedrooms decorated in white.
In the second half of the post, our team outlines the negatives of white bedding. Finally, we go over some neutral alternatives to white bedding.
Read on to learn more!
The Pros of White Bedding
White bedding is a classic. It is a Fig Linens and Home bestseller, and used as hotel bedding in some of the best luxury hotels across the world including The Plaza and the St. Regis. Manufacturers sell the shade under various names including blanc bedding, snow bedding, and milk bedding. Many people swear by a white upholstered bed paired with a white sheet set and all white bedding.
What do people love about their white king beds? Let's dive in.
Some of the most commonly cited benefits of white bedding include:
- White bedding gives the room a sleek, clean look. As mentioned above, white bedsheets can give any bed the fresh feel of a hotel king size bed.
- White bedding reflects light, making the room appear brighter. White rooms can appear more spacious and light-filled than their darker colored counterparts. Just be sure to integrate textural touches like a white knit throw blanket or a furry white throw blanket to keep the look interesting.
- White bedding acts as a "blank canvas" allowing you to design the rest of the room however you want. Forget white paint, all white bedding opens up the design space to use the colorful wallpaper of your dreams! When the bed is neutral, you get more creative license to explore bright colors in the rest of the room.
- White bedding can help you to sleep better. If you associate white bedroom sets with cleanliness and positive memories of resorts, they can help encourage your brain to relax before bed.
- White bedding can make the room appear larger. Since your white queen bed or white king bed is likely to be the focal point of your room, using lighter colors like white can make the room feel bigger.
Best Selling White Bed Sheets & White Bedding Sets
Luxurious white pillowcases, sheets, and duvet covers like Matouk bedding, Sferra Bedding, and Frette Bedding can help bolster the look of white bedding with an ultra-soft feel.
An additional benefit to white bedding is that due to its popularity, there are endless options for white bedding. From entry-level price point hotel collection bedding to the finest Giza 45 egyptian cotton bedding, it's all available in white. Some of our best selling white bedding sets are listed below to give you an idea of just a few of the options.
How to Keep White Sheets White
While there are many methods to whiten white sheets in the washing machine, the best way to keep your sheets white is through preventative care.
Some recommendations include:
- Don't allow kids or dogs in the bed.
- Don't eat in bed.
- Don't allow "outside" clothes in your bed and reserve pajamas for bedtime only.
- Take a shower before bed to minimize the body oils that get on your sheets.
How to Wash White Sheets and White Bedding
If you have ever wondered "how do hotels keep sheets white?" you've come to the right place.
Follow along with the video below to wash your sheets without bleach using warm water, vinegar, baking soda, and lemon. While the video owner recommends using a bin, you can also carry through with this process using wash cycles.
For an added whitening effect, dry your sheets outside on the line to allow the sun to bleach them.
This advice will keep everything from your white cashmere throw blankets, to your sheets, to your decorative pillows white.
Should I use bleach on my white bedding?
Though some articles on whitening your bedding suggest using bleach, this is terrible advice. You should never ever ever use bleach to whiten or wash your bedding. It is damaging to the bedding, unhealthy for you and can actually yellow your sheets in the long run.
To go more in depth on reasons not to use bleach on bedding:
- Bleach weakens the fibers in your white bedding, and can loosen the elastic in fitted sheets. Bleach is a heavy duty chemical that breaks down cotton, bamboo and silk causing your sheets to wear thin and break down over time.
- Bleach can cause serious irritation if inhaled or dropped on your skin, so why use it on sheets that are touching your skin for 8+ hours a day? If you avoid chemicals and toxins in your food and skincare products, this carefulness should extend to the textiles that touch your skin. Opt for natural, and chemical free detergents and cleaning products whenever possible. Look for GOTS and OEKO-tex certified bedding made of natural fibers.
- Bleach can react with protein stains (like sweat) to make your bedding more yellow over time. Aside from the other drawbacks of using bleach to clean white sheets, it is ineffective at removing some of the most common stains and can actually make the problem worse.
Bottom line is: DO NOT BLEACH YOUR BEDDING.
The Cons of a White Bedding
While white bedding can be a beautiful, effective option. For some people, the drawbacks may outweigh the benefits. Potential cons of white bedding include:
- White and light colored bedding shows dirt and stains more easily than darker counterparts.
- You may not want to have kids and dogs on your bed. If you live alone or with a partner, this may not be an issue but something to consider if this type of quality time is important to you.
- To keep it white, white bedding can require more hot water and washing attention than colorful bedding.
- White bedding can look generic or undesigned. Especially if you have white walls, an all white design can look a bit boring.
Alternatives to White Bedding: Neutral Bedding in Colors Besides White
Never fear! The Fig Linens and Home Blog has several suggestions for non-white neutral bedding. Some ideas include:
- White with Pops of Colors: Choosing to not go all white doesn't mean you have to eliminate all white from the room. Light bedding with colorful trim or stitching can create visual interest with the same cleanness. Create a neutral, classic twist by going with a black and white option.
- Gray, Sand, or Other Neutral Colors: Depending on the style of your room, neutral shades like gray, tan, beige, and sand will not clash with other colors while still creating a chic and simple look.
- Bedding with a Small, Subtle Pattern: An understated pattern like stripes or small florals makes the look more interesting and less prone to show dirt while keeping it sleek and polished.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article on white bedding for the Fig Linens and Home Blog. The pros and cons chart below reviews the top advantages and drawbacks of an all-white bedroom, for an easy reference point as you shop.
Now, we'd love to hear from you. Do you love white bedding? Do you hate white bedding? Is there anything we missed in this article you'd love to know?
Let us know in the comments, or shoot us an email at info@figlinens.com and our customer service team will get back to you promptly.
Sophie Edwards is the head content writer at Fig Linens and Home. She is a bedding, linens, and luxury homeware expert with an interest is the intersection of interior design with fashion, travel and culture. She has a BA in creative writing and sociology from Sarah Lawrence and an MSc from the Oxford University Department of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography.