10 Grove Care Guide
Are your sheets pre-shrunk?
Textiles made from any natural fiber–including cotton–will shrink; how much depends on the fabric. Our sateen and percale sheeting and coverlets will shrink 2-5%. Our pieces are made to allow for this shrinkage. Note: Washing or drying in extreme hot temperatures will cause excessive shrinking.
Will 10 Grove sheets wrinkle?
We like to keep our fabrics in their purest and most natural form. As such, we haven’t added any anti-wrinkle treatments, as (i) many involve toxic chemicals (no thank you) and (ii) most wash off after a certain number of washes (so why bother?). If you are a complete wrinkle-phobe, we have a few tricks that will save you time and keep your bed looking crisp and pristine. (And it will prevent that wrinkled ball of a mess that happens when you leave your sheets in the dryer long after the cycle has finished!)
- Take your sheets out of the wash and shake them out to release some of the wrinkles.
- Fold your sheets before putting them in the dryer (I know this sounds counter intuitive, but it will prevent a tangled, wrinkled mess).
- Dry your bedding on medium heat setting.
- Remove it a couple of minutes before the cycle ends, while everything is still warm.
- Lay it flat on the bed and smooth out any wrinkles with your hands.
- For the final touch, you can iron the cuffs of your flat sheet and pillowcases and pass over your shams with a warm iron. That way, all the parts of your bed that actually show will live up to 5-star hotel expectations.
Can I wash my 10 Grove linens, or do I need to dry clean them?
Who has time for dry cleaning, especially for something that you use every single day? Every piece we introduce into the 10 Grove family is practical, livable luxury. We ensure that every piece can be easily cared for by you at home, even if you’re not Mary Poppins. (We won’t tell).
- Wash in cold water on a gentle cycle
- Use a mild detergent; never use chlorine bleach or fabric softeners as they'll destroy the quality of the natural fibers
- Tumble dry on a warm (never hot!) heat setting to avoid excessive shrinkage
We recommend having 2-3 sets of linens so you can rotate, extending the longevity of your linens. Plus extra sets means you can skip laundry day if you're so inclined...
Do I really need to wash my linens in warm–and not hot–water?
We want your bedding to last a lifetime, and high heat is the enemy of that goal. Heat breaks down cotton fibers and accelerates the aging process (just like your skin and the sun!) Also, always wash like colors together to avoid bleeding, and avoid overloading the machine. Cramming together towels, blankets, and sheets will result in them each ending up less clean. Warm washing, warm drying, and frequent rotation will assure that your sheets look and feel amazing for a long, long time.
Why can’t I use bleach on my bedding?
We know it seems like bleaching the daylights out of your linens will keep them pristine! (But it isn’t true.) Body oils, sweat, makeup, and other products can find their way into the threads of your sheets, giving them a yellow tone. If this keeps you up at night, fight that instinct to turn to bleach, or detergents with brightening agents as the solution. These react with the yellowing-causing culprits and make them more yellow–not less. Furthermore, these chemicals weaken and break down the cotton fibers in your bedding causing them to pill and ultimately rip! Instead, we recommend turning to traditional techniques of adding a tablespoon of baking soda or white vinegar to the wash cycle. (We promise the smell will wash out!) This will keep your sheets nice and bright.
Drying on medium and not hot? What’s that about?
Just like with washing, cooler drying temperatures are better in the long run. Drying your bedding on high heat seems faster and “cleaner”, but it results in greater shrinkage. Also, the heat essentially “cooks” the cotton fibers, breaking them (again leading to pilling and tearing) and changing the feel from smooth and sumptuous to something rougher. By sticking to warm heat, your bedding will come out fluffy and fabulous–and last much, much longer!
How should I store my 10 Grove pieces?
We recommend having 2-3 sets of linens so you can rotate them. This helps on laundry day as you’ll have a back up set ready to put on the bed while the other is in the wash. In addition, it increases the life of your linens by giving them a break from weekly washing and drying. It also allows you to change out the look of your room on a regular basis. You don’t wear the same thing every day! Once your bedding is dry, folded, and smoothed, store them flat in a dry environment, away from direct sunlight to avoid color fading. And that’s it!