Articles from September 2023



5 Tips for Fall Cleaning & Organizing

Fall is the perfect time to refresh your home. The weather is turning cooler, holidays are drawing nearer, and you’ll likely be spending a lot more time indoors. So it makes sense to prepare now, but where do you start? Here are five tips for fall cleaning and organizing.

1. Clean Heaters, Chimneys, and Vents

Fall weather is notoriously unpredictable. So it’s best to prepare now for chilly weather.

Cleaning baseboard heaters and chimneys, and replacing filters should all be part of your fall cleaning routine. That way, you’ll be ready to turn on the heat when the air turns cold. 

Fall is also a good time to clean your dryer vent. You’ll soon be spending a lot more time indoors, and you don’t want a clogged dryer vent to become a fire hazard. 

2. Banish the Dust

If a bit of dust has accumulated on your windowsills, under furniture, or on shelves, it may not bother you too much in the summer because you’re still getting lots of fresh air. However, with the cooler weather, you’re likely to spend a lot more time inside with the windows shut. So it makes sense to banish all that dust now.

Remember to check hidden areas like light fixtures, the top of ceiling fan blades, and behind furniture. And don’t forget to wash rugs and shampoo carpets, too!

3. Clean and Organize Places That Will Be Uncomfortable Later

There’s a good chance you haven’t set foot in your attic all summer, and who could blame you? It’s probably 120 degrees up there! But if you wait until winter, it’ll be too cold to stand. That’s why fall is a great time to clean places that will be uncomfortable later. 

Your basement, attic, and shed are all places you should clean and organize in the fall. The temperature will be tolerable, and you’ll need the storage space to swap out your summer and fall items. So give these places a thorough cleaning, and sort through the items you have stored. If there’s anything you aren’t using, fall is a great time to sell or donate those items.

4. Store Summer Items

Now that you’ve tackled your storage spaces, it’s time to put your summer items away. Begin outdoors, and give all your summer furniture and equipment a good cleaning. Then, pack up sports equipment, pool floats, and other summer items until next year.

After that, move indoors and get to work on your closets. Set aside anything you haven’t worn to sell or donate. Then, put away your summer clothes and shoes and replace them with your fall and winter wardrobe.

5. Change Your Linens

It’s time to transition from light, summer linens to cozier sheets and blankets. Fall is also a good time to check your linens to see if any need to be replaced. And don’t forget the guest rooms! Spruce them up before your holiday guests arrive. 

To prepare for fall, remove and wash your summer linens and put them away until next year. Then, replace them with fall linens like flannel sheets. They’ll keep you warm and cozy on cold nights. And they’re breathable enough to be comfortable on warm nights, too.

Do you need new sheets to prepare for fall? Check out our Ultimate Guide for Buying New Bed Sheets

The Ultimate Guide for Buying New Bed Sheets

Searching for the perfect sheets? We can help! At Cozytown Linens, we know that buying new bed sheets is a significant investment, and you don’t want to waste your money on sheets you don’t absolutely love. That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate guide for buying new bed sheets. Here’s how to find the perfect sheets for you.

Measure Your Mattress

We cannot stress enough how important it is to measure your mattress in order to get a perfect fit. It’s common for mattresses to be undercut. So purchasing bed sheets based on sizes like full, queen, or king may not give you an accurate fit. Instead, you should take a few crucial measurements. 

First, measure the length and width of your mattress. If it matches a standard size, you can purchase based on that. However, if it doesn’t, you’ll need to purchase custom sheets for a perfect fit. Fortunately, if you purchase from Cozytown Linens, that won’t cost you any extra. 

Next, measure the depth, or thickness, of your mattress. The depth of the mattress plays an important role in determining the pocket size needed for the fitted sheet. The pocket size is the seam measurement on each corner of the fitted sheet. The length of the seam needs to be 2 to 3 inches deeper than your mattress depth, so that you have a couple of extra inches for tucking under.

Consider Different Types of Fabric

When buying new bed sheets, take time to consider different types of fabric. They’ll all influence your sleep experience. Think about whether you tend to be hot or cold when you sleep, how you like your sheets to feel, and how much care and maintenance you want to put into your sheets.

For instance, cotton is a great choice if you tend to be a hot sleeper, because it is breathable and wicks moisture away from the body. The only down side is that it wrinkles. A 50/50 blend sheet is an easy care, no iron option, but it’s not as soft as cotton and creates a hotter sleep environment. Satin sheets provide you with a silky elegance fit for a queen. Satin pillowcases are gentle on your hair and helps prevent tangling.

Buy Bed Sheets for Different Seasons

Changing things up is always fun, and sometimes it makes sense, too! Buying new bed sheets for different seasons is a great idea. It allows you to refresh the look of your bedroom and stay comfortable all year round.

For instance, many people adore the unparalleled coziness of flannel sheets in winter, or you may love the feeling of crisp, clean cotton percale sheets in the summer. Alternatively, you may like changing colors with the seasons. So think about what makes you feel best in each season.

Buy Bed Sheets that Match Your Style

You should love every aspect of your new bed sheets, including the way they look. Don’t ignore your personal style and preferences when buying new bed sheets. Fortunately, there are plenty of color choices and fabric types to choose from, so you’re sure to find an option you love.

At Cozytown Linens, we understand that process and offer free fabric swatches. That way, you can see and feel the fabric before making a purchase. Simply contact us and we’ll be happy to help!

Microfiber vs Cotton Sheets

Quality sheets are an investment, so it’s important to purchase the right sheets for your bed. The material you choose will affect how long your sheets last, how much they wrinkle, how they feel when you sleep on them, and how much they cost. With that in mind, let’s examine the pros and cons of two of the most popular materials on the market: microfiber vs cotton sheets.

Benefits of Microfiber Sheets

Microfiber is a blend of ultra-fine synthetic fibers that was first created in the 1950s and has since become widely used in a variety of products, from cleaning cloths to athletic clothing to bed sheets. The fibers are made from polyester, nylon, and cellulose and must be no larger than one denier thick. These thin fibers give microfiber sheets a soft, silky texture.

Microfiber sheets are also very durable due to the fibers being so closely woven together. And they generally come at a lower price point than cotton sheets, so they’re more affordable. Plus, microfiber is wrinkle-resistant and doesn’t stain easily, so microfiber sheets are often easier to maintain than cotton.

Drawbacks of Microfiber Sheets

Because microfiber sheets are made of synthetic fibers, you’ll need to be careful when laundering. Drying on a hot setting may damage the synthetic fibers, so it’s best to dry on a medium setting or line dry your sheets.

According to Hibermate, many bed linen fabrics have a tendency to pill, but microfiber sheets are less likely to pill due to the content of the fabric.

When it comes to your sleep experience, microfiber tends to be less breathable than cotton. And that means microfiber sheets are also hotter to sleep on. So if you tend to be a hot sleeper, microfiber sheets will likely create a very uncomfortable experience. Additionally, some people are sensitive to the synthetic fibers and chemicals in microfiber sheets. So contact dermatitis could be a concern.

Benefits of Cotton Sheets

Cotton is a safe, all natural material that has been used for thousands of years and it’s one of the best materials you can choose if you want bed sheets that keep you cool. Cotton bed sheets are soft, comfortable, and breathable. So in contrast to microfiber sheets, cotton bed sheets will help you stay cool and dry all night long.

At Cozytown Linens, we use premium Pima cotton because of its long strands, which can be woven many times. This creates soft, yet durable cotton bed sheets that will help you enjoy restful nights for years to come. And because cotton is a natural fiber, it’s much less likely than microfiber to cause allergies or skin irritation. 

Drawbacks of Cotton Sheets

The benefits of cotton bed sheets have helped them remain a popular choice for centuries, but they do have a few drawbacks. High-quality cotton sheets tend to be more expensive than microfiber, so they do require a greater investment. They are made from natural fibers, so they also tend to be less durable than microfiber or blended fabrics. 

Additionally, cotton bed sheets are prone to wrinkling. So you may need to iron them or try these helpful Bed Sheet Care Tips to minimize wrinkles. Alternatively, if the benefits of cotton bed sheets appeal to you, but you hate ironing, opt for a cotton/polyester blend instead. Our 50/50 Blend Sheet Sets offer the natural softness of cotton combined with the no-iron convenience of polyester.

Need a little more guidance in selecting the perfect bed sheets for you? We’re always happy to help! Contact us here, and we’ll reach out to you soon!