How to Wash Cotton Pajamas & Satin Loungewear + DIY Detergent

Who doesn’t love fresh pajamas? The great thing about Printfresh’s organic cotton is that it is made to last and really does get softer with every wash. With proper care, you can keep your pjs looking like new for years to come. To help you become an expert on all things sleepwear care, we rounded up your most-asked questions (and the internets, too!) regarding all things cotton and pajama care.

We often get asked why is cotton good for sleeping? As well as, what is the best material for hot sleepers? Our organic cotton pajamas are good for sleeping, especially for hot sleepers, due to their cool and crisp nature. Cotton is lightweight, soft and breathable, which allows for ideal air circulation. Cottons stays cool against the skin so hot sleepers can stay comfortable throughout the night. Along with the material being great for keeping cool, it's incredibly soft and feels great on the skin!

Caring for your cozy cotton pajamas can be as easy as keeping in mind these easy tips the next time you do laundry. With gentle care, you can ensure that your pajamas remain vibrant and fresh — while, of course, getting softer with each wash. Here are our top favorite tips to share:

1. Turn the PJs inside out to wash them – Launder with like colors on a gentle cycle in cool water.
2. Avoid detergent with bleach – Or make your own natural detergent with the DIY below!
3. Tumble dry on low heat – Tumble dry on low heat in the dryer to avoid damaging the fabric. Or even better, hang-dry outside to capture a wonderful breeze!
4. Remove from dryer, then fold or hang up – To keep your pajamas wrinkle free, make sure to remove them promptly from the dryer and fold or hang up until you are ready to wear them again.
5. Give your collar a light press – If needed, keep your collar and seams looking fresh by lightly ironing.

Our satin is an eco-enhanced Viscose made from a 100% plant origin. The satin pajamas and satin robes are incredibly soft and friendly on your skin, as well as breathable, lightweight and moisture absorbent. To wash your satin pajamas, we recommend laundering them on a cold, hand wash or delicate laundry cycle. Do so with like colors and do not bleach. For drying, we suggest you hang to dry and press lightly on a low temperature to remove any wrinkles.

We all do our laundry a little bit differently, but the general rule of thumb is at least once a week — the American Cleaning Institute even recommends as often as once every three to four wears. 

Speaking of laundry habits, it’s a hot topic at the Printfresh office. Luckily, we have a resident clothing care expert on our team, so we asked Jac Dwyer to share her top 10 tips to keep our clothes looking fresh. You can check out her tips here.

Now that you know the basic care tips for maintaining the softest PJs ever, it’s also helpful to try a specific detergent formula that you can make and use right at home. One of the best ways to extend the life of your clothing is by making your own laundry detergent that’s free of harmful chemicals. Ready to take a swing at making a DIY laundry detergent? Natural, low-lathering and long-lasting, this is founder Amy’s favorite DIY laundry detergent recipe.

You'll Need: 

2 cups baking soda

2 bars of Dr. Bronner's Bar Soap (Amy uses lavender)

2 cups washing soda

2 cups borax

30 drops lavender essential oil (or scent of your choice)

Instructions:

1. Powder the Castile soap by cutting up pieces of the bar and mixing in the food processor or grating by hand.

2. Mix ingredients well in a glass container, add essential oils if desired and stir again to break up any clumps.

3. Use 1 tablespoon for a regular load and 2 tablespoons for a large load. 

This recipe is adapted from the book "Make Your Place: Affordable, Sustainable Nesting Skills," which is written and illustrated by Raleigh Briggs.

You can enjoy cotton that gets softer with every wash with sets of Printfresh pajamas. We’re confident that seekers of all things cute and cozy will appreciate our long-lasting, simple-to-clean sleepwear that also features vibrant designs.