I don't think it's a real concern for adults, esp if you don't eat food in bed or have pets. I have had cream and or white bedding for as long as I can recall.

The only thing I really dislike is bedding elements that are dry clean only. That never seems clean enough and can smell chemically

I only ever have white or cream bedding, wash it once a week and never have a problem with it being dingy. Although I'm usually asleep within about 30 seconds of my head hitting the pillow so maybe I just don;t notice.

Like mtn and blf, i've had cream or white bedding forever or almost. For the last 9 years it's only been cream but before that, a combination of the two. It's the same with towels/handtowels/washcloths, all cream, except for a few gold ones I use in the downstairs bath when the grands are here. I also fold things very neatly, and enjoy opening my linen closets and seeing everything the same color and stacked just so. I'm not anal about everything, ;)

I have had white or cream bedding forever. If it isn't 100% cotton you couldn't use chlorine bleach anyway. Hot water, and a good detergent with oxygen bleach should keep it nice and bright. However, I might consider posting this on the Laundry Forum, as they have experts who can weigh in and give you specifics.

Good point, I always think when I buy white "oh and I can bleach it", but I almost never do. It's so harsh. Only exception I can think of is a few things where I've been glad to be able to use a bleach pen , e.g. On white jeans w grass stains.

If you like both you might opt for cream comforter and shams with white sheets. It makes a crisp, clean feel and sheets are easily bleached (chlorine or non chlorine bleach).

Inclined to roll around in the grass, Mtn (wink)?

saw this picture today and thought of you. are you still going for the buffalo checks?

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i've had white on every bed in the house for years, maybe 18 or so, i don't use bleach, i use half washing soda, half borax and some biz and hot hot water , then i soak no stains ever and they look nice and white and half my sheets are 5 years old......so cream and white should be good and i like the combination....

my sister came to see me a couple of weeks ago and before she went home she had enough white bedding for every bed in her house lol i've never been an influence on her in any other way.....

I prefer cream/ivory over stark white. That's just me. What is on our bed is what I call ivory (less yellow undertone). We have a matelase (sp) coverlet and bed skirt. I learned my lesson with another matelase coverlet. It's 100% cotton and shrinks. I have ours dry-cleaned (we do have a environmentally friendly dry cleaner in the big city). It's not something I do very often at all. The bedskirt doesn't get dirty and we do not use the coverlet or shams as actual cover. (Thanks to mom and grandmother LOL.) I like Zippity's cleaning recipe. I rarely use bleach and only the tiniest amount when I do. We are trying to be more careful/healthy with cleaners in our home. I have used ivory bedding for several years and use quilts or duvets plus shams in another color (print). I like that I can change these out if I want.

I am another one that have had white bedding "forever" -- I have an old Bates bedspread that I wash whenever it gets dirty . . . at least once every six weeks and sometimes more. We have dogs! I wouldn't have anything else and I, too, like to see my all white linen closet!

Mtn - I'll definitely stay away from dry clean items. No food or drink in the room. We do have cats but they aren't on the bed these days.

I didn't even realize the item had to be all cotton to use bleach. I never gave it any thought.

Hmorton - I totally forgot about the laundry forum. I'll check there too, thanks!

Christy - Good idea.

Boop - Oh, I'm not sure. I'm still brainstorming. I think I'm going to use the buffalo check in my one bathroom. I ordered two other samples (one of a larger check) in the same wheat/cream color to see.

Zippity - Thanks for the cleaning feedback!

Tina - The red coverlet I have on our bed now is 100% cotton but it's nice and oversized. Size was something I was concerned about for the next purchase. I thought I wanted all cotton again but is it common to have issues with covers being too short on the sides and bottom?

Sounds like white and/or cream bedding isn't a big deal to care for. I'm still trying to decide how much I want to budget for it since it's going to be somewhat experimental for me. I do know I want a THICK AND FLUFFY duvet. I read recently about the need to punch and fluffy them up. Really? Please tell me they make ones that I don't need the assistance on a regular basis? It's just one more thing.

Thank you everyone for your feedback and thoughts!

Peppa- Hi! That's the duvet I was considering for the room. Thank you for posting that photo. What color are your walls? Very pretty!

Surprising how many "always" do white and/or warm cream-whites. Me too (though I did buy a set of brown sheets on sale a couple years ago that I never liked). Always bought cotton, can't say I gave special care to any. Bleach inoccasionally, last years, always look nice. I do like sparkling white for summer because it looks so cool. Nothing else comes close.

I have an ivory matelasse beadspread with no staining issues. I don't eat in the bed of course, but the dog and cat think the bed is theirs so there's that. I have either white or ivory sheets. Oxyclean and a good soak takes care of most stains anyway.

I also have usually used white sheets/summer coverlet forever. My current winter comforter is a cream/grey toile, but sheets are still white. Percale, the crispier the better. Have also had white/cream duvets in the past, no problem keeping them clean.

Shee, sorry it's taken me this long to get back to you. ITs SW rainwashed.

I bought the duvet cover on a whim & really like it & its so cheap!! But, the pillow covers have the flap to keep your pillows from budging out & sweet little ties. Nice details for the price. It would look nicer if I ironed the duvet cover, but I'm not!! Lol And if I straightened the headboard!!

Maybe this picture will help you.........I saved it because I really liked the IKEA buffalo check, wood toned furniture, softly painted walls, the mix with the rug,etc. And cute doggie:)

Thank you Peppa! And that photo is quite pretty. I love that rug.

I still am not sure what I'm going to do. I bought new 100% cotton percale sheets for DS's room over the weekend and they are SO WRINKLED after washing. I almost broke out my iron today but told myself I will not iron sheets! I'm thinking I should cross the solid white duvet covers I was considering at one point off my list.

On the off chance that you are picking any arrangement of 100% cotton duvet cover that are made with dull tones then you ought to know that extremely dim shadings, for example, chocolate earthy colored or dark might be inclined to some blurring over the long haul. Obviously however, as long as you care for them and wash them in the right way they will save their shading for a decent period.