Can You Wash Quick Dry Sheets in Washing Machine?

In most cases, quick dry sheets can be machine washed with a mild detergent on a delicate/gentle cycle setting. Make sure to set the water temperature settings to cold while machine washing them.

Moreover, quick dry sheets dry faster, therefore, it’s recommended to air dry them naturally.

With that said, it’s recommended to go through the care label before washing the “Quick Dry” sheets in the washer, as some manufacturers may not recommend machine washing.

Whereas some manufacturers may only recommend spot cleaning or handwashing (In most cases they are machine washable).

What are quick-dry sheets?

Quick-dry sheets are simply light-weighted pieces of mats used to prevent bedding from liquid spills. Unlike other underpaddings used on beds, these sheets contain thin layers for water absorption and waterproofing.

Quick-dry sheets do not contain thick layers or water-absorbing pads. These sheets are usually placed over the bedding, which can be above or beneath the regular bed sheets.

Apart from bedding, you can use them on chairs, cots, strollers, and sofa sheets. In fact, these sheets can be used indoors as well as outdoors, such as on your car seat, in parks, or you can carry them wherever you go.

It helps protect the beds from accidental liquid spills such as water, coffee, wine, and baby or pet urinals. 

The top layer of quick-dry sheets has a soft fabric layer, usually made from cotton, that can absorb liquid spills in no time.

The bottom layer includes a breathable and waterproofing membrane (usually made from thermoplastic polyurethane) that prevents leakage from the bottom surface.

Another factor that makes quick-drying sheets more suitable is their quick drying ability. These sheets dry really quickly compared to other types of fabric.

A quick drying sheet is available in different sizes and shapes, for example as a mat or bed sheet.

The most commonly available sizes are S (Small), M (Medium), L (Large), XL (Extra-Large), XXL, single bed or double bed for Queen and King size beds, etc.

The smaller sizes are ideal for newborn baby bedding or cradle to place over them to prevent urinal wetting.

By using a quick-dry sheet, you can avoid wrapping your babies in diapers all the time, which further prevents them from developing skin rashes.

Lastly, it is also recommended to wash them before the first use.

Depending on the care label, you can choose a washing method, i.e., either in a washing machine or by hand washing.

How to wash quick dry sheets?

Quick drying sheets do not require scrubbing and brushing. These sheets can be easily cleaned by rinsing them with water.

There are some manufacturers who may not recommend machine washing, and there are some who recommend hand washing explicitly.

So, it’s extremely important to check the label before you decide to wash your quick dry sheets.

Let us look into the step-by-step instructions to wash the machine washable, quick-dry sheets.

Step 1: Wipe the surface before wash

If you notice any dried food stains on the quick drying sheet, you can wipe them off with a cloth.

Use a dry, soft piece of cloth and gently scrub the fabric surface to remove the stains. Likewise, you can use a damp cloth to wipe the opposite side by laying the sheet flat on a clean surface.

Step 2: Loading Instructions for quick dry sheets

The “Quick Dry Sheet” can be washed along with other delicate items. Simply make sure that other items do not contain hooks or zips that can tear the sheet’s soft waterproofing layer.

You can also wash them with a pile of your soft, handy towels in the washing machine.

If your washing machine uses an agitator to clean clothes, then simply place the quick-dry sheets in a laundry bag before loading them into the washtub.

Step 3: Add a cleaning solution

When washing quick-dry sheets, use mild soap or detergent, as they are usually categorized as delicate items.

Additionally, you can add a small amount of liquid disinfecting solution to the washtub.

This should be done to disinfect the sheets from urinal spills of babies and pets, whichever is applicable.

If the quick-dry sheets are used for patients, then simply wash them separately and make use of disinfectant during the wash. (Prefer hand washing them separately)

Note: Do not use detergents containing bleaching compounds while you wash quick-dry sheets.

Step 4: Choose the delicate cycle

Always choose a delicate wash program or a hand wash cycle to wash a quick-dry sheet. A short cycle is preferred with a low spin-speed setting.

Step 5: Run the wash cycle

Now, it’s time to hit that start button and get the wash cycle going.

Step 5: Drying Process

After the wash cycle completes, you can place the quick-dry sheet on a flat and dry surface, or simply lay it flat on a drying rack.

Another way is to hang them on a clothesline for air drying.

Tip: Make sure the fabric layer is exposed to air while you hang them or lay them flat for air drying. It is not worth using a drying machine that will consume energy unnecessarily because these sheets dry quickly without any special drying process.

How to hand wash a quick dry sheet?

It is not as time-consuming as you might think to clean a quick dry sheet.

Let us look at the steps to hand washing a quick-dry sheet.

Step 1: Fill a Sink with warm water

Fill a sink or basin with warm or cold water, or alternatively, you can use a bucket or a bowl.

Step 2: Use mild detergent

Add the desired amount of delicate detergent to the tub along with a liquid disinfecting solution. Let the solution mix well with water.

Step 3: Rinse and place the quick-dry sheet in the container

Rinse the quick-dry sheet with clean water and place it into the sink filled with water, detergent, and disinfectant. Swirl it into the sink for a minute or so.

Step 4: Stain treatment

If the quick-dry sheet has attracted food or other stains, then simply let it settle into the solution for five minutes.

Now, use a soft brush such as a toothbrush and gently rub the stained area for a couple of minutes. Swirl it around the sink and leave it for another five minutes.

Step 5: Rinse with clean water

Rinse the quick-dry sheet with clean water until the soap residues are removed from the sheet.

Step 6: Drying steps

Do not squeeze them vigorously to release excess water, as this can tear the waterproofing layer at the bottom.

Instead, wipe the back layer (waterproofing surface) of the quick dry sheet using a dry towel.

Now for the fabric surface, lay a soft and dry towel over it and give it a gentle press all over the surface to absorb excess water.

Hang them to air dry naturally over a clothesline or a drying rack.

Note: Avoid ironing a quick-dry sheet, as it can damage the surface and damage the waterproofing layer as well.

Final Thoughts

You can choose a suitable sized quick dry sheet to prevent wetting of beds, sofas, car seats, couches, sofas, etc.

Quick drying sheets are delicate pieces of mat that need to be handled with care, especially during the wash.

It is not advised to dry-clean the quick dry sheets. Instead, you should hand wash them or simply use your washing machine if the care label permits.

If you spill normal water on them, air dry them instead of washing them.

Lastly, you can always spot clean the “Quick Dry Sheet”  instantly as soon as the spillage occurs instead of washing it entirely.