Please read through the useful hints, tips and how to guides below.

To make

Always put sheets with a pretty turn-back on the bed face down.

If sheets are not fitted, use hospital corners to keep sheets and blankets in place.

When changing a duvet cover, push the far corners of the duvet into the far corners of the cover, hold in place by clothes pegs (or a helper) and work the rest of the cover over the duvet. Grasp the pegged corners of both cover and duvet and give a firm shake to distribute both duvet and feathers, then

fasten the cover.

Water beds

Air underlay or underblankets regularly if mattress is vinyl to avoid mould developing from perspiration. Always add a fungicide to the water inside the mattress and renew according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Blankets

To remove stains from synthetics

liquid detergent

'Treat stains first with a strong detergent then wash or dryclean according tomanufacturer's instructions.

To remove stains from wool

wool mix warn water

Brush stains gently with this solution then wash or dryclean according to
manufacturer's instructions.

To remove stains from electric blankets

Follow manufacturer's instructions to the letter. Never drvclean.

Candlewick bedspreads

To prevent fluffing
silicone water repellant
Spray bedspreads after each wash.

Feather quilts

To clean

Use a good wool wash that does not have to be rinsed out. (See Laundry.)

To dry

2 clean tennis balls

Add these to the tumble dryer so the feathers will be pummelled as the quilt dries. Do not use a very high heat or the balls might melt!

Pillows

Down and feathers

Clean and dry in the same way as feather quilts, or give to a professional.

Foam plastic or rubber

soap warm water

Wash in a warm solution, rinse and dry thoroughly. Never use lighter fuel or a strong chlorine solution on foam rubber.

Synthetic fibre

Hand or machine wash according to care instructions. Never dryclean these pillows.

Unwashable fillings

powdered magnesia

Rub well into the pillow then shake out excess and air.

Sheets

To remove semen stains

borax cold water

Soak in cold water to which 2 tablespoons of borax has been added then wash as usual.

Airing

If a futon or mattress rests directly on the floor or on a solid wooden base, it should be thoroughly aired daily. A surprising amount of moisture accumulates overnight and must be removed regularly.

Blood stains

1 tablespoon salt | 250 mL water

Tip mattress on its side and dab the stain with a clean cloth dipped in this solution till the stain disappears, then dry promptly with a hairdryer if possible.

upholstery cleaner

Work up into a lather and treat stain with the lather only.

Semen stains

1 tablespoon borax | 1 L water

Sponge stains with this cold solution then sponge again with warm water and a wool wash solution. Do not soak the mattress. Dry with a hairdryer.

Vomit

dishwashing liquid | cold water disinfectant

Remove deposit, then tip mattress on its side. Sponge with dishwashing solution then rinse with more cold water and disinfectant. Dry promptly with a hairdryer if possible.

Wet beds and urine stains

talcum powder | cloudy ammonia | towels | warm water

Coat the stained area with powder then cover with towels soaked in cloudy ammonia and leave as long as possible (up to a week). Tip mattress on its side and sponge with warm water and more ammonia but do not soak the bed. Allow the mattress to air very thoroughly before its next use.

dishwashing liquid | cold water | disinfectant

Tip mattress on its side and sponge with this solution then rinse with cold water and disinfectant. Dry promptly with a hairdryer if possible.