You just spent a few months shopping for others and overspending on décor, hosting, and travel. Wouldn’t it be nice to splurge a little on yourself without feeling guilty? Enter white sales: the much-anticipated annual event that allows you to upgrade your bedding and bath linens without breaking the bank. If you aren’t familiar, don’t worry. Keep reading to learn about the best bedding deals of the year, plus expert tips to get the most out of the 2023 sales.

What is a white sale?

A white sale offers deep discounts on household linens such as bedding and towels. You can often find quality comforters, blankets, pillows, mattress pads, sheets, and bathroom textiles on clearance. White sales are an excellent opportunity to replace or upgrade household bedding for a fraction of the regular price.

So, why is it called a white sale? It’s not due to the white winter weather. When the “white sale” originated in the late 1800s, all linens were only available in white. Despite colors and patterns popping up over the years, the original name stuck, giving us the “white sale” we know today.

When are white sales?

White sales typically take place in January, right after the new year. Some white sales last a couple of days or weeks, while others are active all month. Timing is ideal for those trying to take advantage of post-holiday price drops, and it’s also a great time to use holiday cash and gift cards a little further with practical elements like bedding.

The inspiration for the white sale is tied to having a clean house and a fresh start to the year. The origins of the white sale can be traced back to 1878 when department store magnate John Wanamaker hosted the first white sale at Philadelphia’s largest department store. Due to its success, the sale became a popular tradition for retailers selling household linens, and the rest is history.

Tips for shopping January White Sales

With some planning and research, you can make the most of this January’s white sale and upgrade your bedding and sleep experience:

1. Take inventory

Assess your bedroom for wants and needs. Is any bedding showing signs of wear and tear, stains, or excessive lumpiness? How is your sleep quality? How do your neck and back feel in the morning? How’s your sleep temperature? These questions can help you determine where to spend your time and money shopping.

2. Determine how old your bedding is

Sometimes it’s hard to recall just how long we’ve had the same pillows or comforter. But since we spend over 1/3 of our lives in bed, replacing these items once they’ve reached their limit is important. Over time, bedding loses its shape and softness, which can affect our sleep posture and quality. Linens also become overwhelmed with dust, allergens, and bacteria, affecting our breathing and skin. Below is a reminder of when to replace the most common bedding items:

• Down Alternative Pillows: Every 2 years - Down Pillows Every 7 Years
• Down Alternative Comforters: Every 5 years - Down Comforters Every 10 Years
• Mattress Pads: 2-3 years
• Mattress Toppers: Every 3-5 years
• Featherbeds: Every 5-7 years
• Sheets: Every 2-3 years

3. Shop early

As you can imagine, January white sales are popular. Make sure to jump on these deals before items go out of stock. Bargain shoppers are savvy and know how to get the most value for their money. This includes knowing when to shop so they don’t miss out. Become a smart shopper by planning ahead and getting the items you want at the best price.

4. Look for high-loft bedding

High loft bedding is filled with thick and fluffy fibers for added support, warmth, and breathability. It is a great choice for anyone wanting to upgrade to a more comfortable and luxurious sleep experience. High-loft pillows and comforters are more expensive than lower-loft fills, but they are much more durable and last longer. A January white sale is the perfect time to invest in high-loft bedding for quality and comfort at a reduced price.

5. Figure out your sleep position

Understanding your sleep position will help you determine the perfect pillow to improve sleep quality. Back sleepers should look for medium-density pillows that offer the right support without hyper-extending the neck. Stomach sleepers should select an extra-soft pillow or flat pillow to properly align the spine. Side sleepers require the most support and should shop for a high-loft or thick pillow with a firm density to cradle the head, neck, and shoulders. Most people are combination sleepers who change position throughout the night. An adjustable pillow with multiple levels of thickness and softness is a smart solution for pillows that will suit a variety of sleepers (ideal for short term rental hosts) and for toss-and-turn sleepers who may incorporate a variety of sleep positions throughout the night.

6. Measure your bed

Don’t make assumptions about what will fit your bed – especially when it comes to comforters and mattress pads. While there are standard sizes (twin, queen, and king), they don’t account for mattress depth which can make or break the proper fit. Discover tips about how a comforter should drape over your bed, and how to properly measure for a fitted mattress pad before making a purchase.

7. Splurge for real down

Always dreamt of having real down bedding but haven’t had the funds? January white sales are the perfect time to upgrade to the bedding of your dreams without hurting your wallet. Opting for authentic down will instantly add luxury and durability to your sleep experience, making it a better investment in the long run. And when you can purchase down for the same price as a down alternative, is there really a question?

8. Opt for a featherbed

If your mattress seems ready for an upgrade, but you’re not quite ready to replace it, a plush featherbed may be the answer. Quality featherbeds completely rejuvenate the feel of a mattress by adding up to five inches of cushioning to support proper alignment and relieve pressure points in the neck, shoulders, hips, and back. People often describe the experience of a featherbed as “sleeping on a cloud.” While one of the more expensive mattress toppers, featherbeds provide the best comfort and outlast other mattress toppers by five years. Take advantage of January white sale prices to snag a cloud-top featherbed and improve your sleep for 2023.

Best White Sale Deals of 2023

For the best white sale deals of 2023, look no further. This January, Downlite is offering its annual bedding sale throughout the entire month of January with up to 75% off.

Enjoy 75% off the retail price of the Intellipedic Mattress Pad and Intellipedic Down Alternative Comforter using promo code: DEAL75.

Looking for something else? Save 20% off sitewide using the code WHITESALE. This means 20% off all hotel bedding, pillows, comforters, mattress pads, feather beds, and blankets.

You may only use one code per visit. But with 31 days of January White Sale savings at Downlite, you have plenty of time to take advantage of all 2023 deals.

For personalized assistance or professional advice on your next bedding purchase, contact our customer service representatives, who will assist you in your decision-making.