Folding bedclothes

I've never folded up bedding before putting in the wash. I always assumed it would unbalance the washing machine once it was all wet. I thought you were supposed to spread the load around the machine, the same as the tumble dryer.

I don't do folding !

Doesn't folding actually stop things washing properly? In my mind it does!

No I don't fold surely that means the 'bits' right in the middle won't get properly clean as they aren't rubbing against the paddles or the other washing its the agitations that gets things clean in my head maybe I'm odd.

I see no reason why they should not wash properly if not folded, in fact they would probably wash better. If sheets and duvet covers are folded and do not unfold during the wash the parts of the sheets/duvet cover in the middle of the package are unlikely to get as thoroughly washed as thoise layerson the outside.

I would also think that folded bedlinen would be more likely to de-stable a washing machine because it forms a compact water-soaked heavy item, like a bath mat. If they go in unfolded, yes, you can find stuff all mixed with the bedlinen at the end of the wash, but at least all the item gets an equal exposure to the water, suds and spinning.

I don't fold either. I agree with tanith and kitty. Have to admit I'm not too bothered about folding neatly afterwards either. The sheets soon stretch out on the bed and who is going to see them anyway ?

Do they come out of the washing machine still folded, just out of interest, NonnaW?

What lyndylou and Kittyl said. And ginny.

I forgot to put fabric softener in with mine this morning. So no doubt the duvet cover will need ironing.

I don't fold either , I just bung them in the machine. They don't get tangled. Once they're washed they go straight into the dryer. It's folding them when they are dry that's the bother. Mine are all king size and huge.

Back in the mists of time when I first had an automatic washing machine, the instructions said 'do not fold' .... So I didn't . No problems.

Never even thought of folding used bedding, just chuck it straight in the machine. Wash and out on the line for a blow in the fresh air. Fold it when I bring it in. I only have one cover (cotton) which needs ironing, so I don't often use that one lol.

I never fold to put in machine. When I bring the washing in off the line, I fold duvet cover, sheet and pillow cases and put them inside another pillow case. Then straight into the airing cupboard. I only iron bedding if someone is coming to stay.My ambition is to get pure linen bedding.

I fold bed linen as I take it off the bed but it is just for the convenience of carrying, I open everything out to put in the washing machine.

No Ana but not in a tangled mess either. The machine definitely makes more noise when sheets are tangled in a ball. Don't get me wrong, they are only roughly folded.

Can't understand the thinking behind folding things so they wash better. Like others on here, I am pretty sure they would not wash as well as unfolded bedding. I've washed mine this morning and they didn't come out in a tangled mess. They never do. But I'm quite sure if I put them all in folded they would bump around the machine and unbalance the drum. As I've got a brand new machine I'm not about to do anything to damage it!

No I don't fold I like them all loose in the machine and not to much at once so they get a good wash. I haven't used fabric softener in years with no appreciable difference.

I am just thinking about picking mine in from the washing line, and if I can be bothered I do fold each item then in the hope that it will make easier ironing.

I don't fold.... never have done, but I do button up the duvet cover now, as I got fed up with small things (knickers for example!) somehow working their way into the inner-most parts of the cover. Sometimes there used to be a great wodge of stuff trapped in one of the corners, not spun all that well, and not very good for the washing machine with all that unbalanced weight in one lump.

So because your mother did it, you slavishly follow.

To answer your question in the OP, NonnaW, yes I think it is just you, judging by all the responses on here

So good to be different though non I love being different.

I remember reading the instructions for an old washing machine recommending that one found the rough centre of a large item and pushed it right to the middle back of the drum, then tucked in the remainder evenly around the edge. I have always done this, and never have an unbalanced load.
I starch my sheets for a crisp cool finish, ironing them folded, through several layers. At the moment I have an injured shoulder and cannot fold a sheet neatly without laying it on a flat surface first.

I will button up in future willsmadnan after I took my king size duvet out of the tumbler rather than the washer the other day and it was so tightly tangled I really struggled to open it out, I don't know why, it's never happened before.
Personally I find folding things to put in the machine strange