Do your bedsheets feel like sandpaper? There’s nothing worse than buying a new set of bedsheets to find they are scratchy, uncomfortable, and feel like sandpaper. It’s horrible having your sleep ruined by uncomfortable bed sheets. Luckily, the good news is that there are several different methods that anyone can use to soften new and rough bed sheets. After using one of the options listed below, you’ll never have to worry about a disrupted night of sleep again.
Different Methods on How To Soften New Bed Sheets
- Wash with baking soda
- Rinse with vinegar
- Wool dryer balls or tennis balls
- Natural sun drying
Soften New Bed Sheets By Rinsing with Baking Soda
Baking soda is a household essential that makes an inexpensive alternative to fabric softener. It will leave your sheets feeling softer and looking brighter without adding any chemicals that can cause irritation.
Method Details: On your first wash, add a cup of baking soda to your washing machine. Use a gentle cycle with cold or warm water, and if possible, dry on the line afterward.
Tips: You can continue using the baking soda method to soften your sheets after the initial wash. You can continue to wash your bed sheets with a quarter cup of baking powder during each wash. Also, you can combine this method with the vinegar method listed below. Using baking soda to start the wash, and then vinegar for the rinse cycle. If you have queen size or larger sheets, you’ll want to split the top and bottom sheets. This will to give the bed sheets more space to spin the washing machine.
Soften Rough Sheets With Vinegar
While you should never combine vinegar and baking soda in one wash cycle, vinegar makes a fantastic rinse option.
Method Details: Add a cup of vinegar into your machine during the rinse cycle. You’ll want to set your washing machine to cold and use white vinegar. This helps to soften your sheets even further, and during the first wash you can use baking soda on the wash cycle, and then vinegar for the rinse. Vinegar helps to neutralize the residue from detergents, which are what make your sheets stiff in the first place.
Tips: Line dry the sheets after the cycle is complete. If you don’t have space to dry them outside, use a low setting on your dryer otherwise you may risk shrinkage. If you are worried about the smell of vinegar on your sheets, add a few drops of an essential oil such as lavender oil in with the vinegar. Don’t mix baking soda and vinegar at any point during your washing process. If used during the same load, put baking soda in with the detergent, and then your vinegar will go in the fabric softener section.
Soften New Sheets with Wool Dryer Balls or Tennis Balls
If you are unable to line dry your sheets at home, wool dryer balls or tennis balls are a great alternative. You can use these balls, which are specifically designed for drying. You can also use two tennis balls which are a cheaper option.
Method Details: Set your tumble dryer to low and add two dryer balls or two clean tennis balls in with your sheets. These help to reduce the stiffness of your sheets, making them softer once dried. The wool balls help to cut down your drying time and absorb additional moisture.
Tips: You don’t need to buy expensive wool dryer balls to benefit from this method, as regular tennis balls will do the job. Make sure your tennis balls are thoroughly clean before adding them in with your clean washing. In stores, you’ll also see plastic drying balls with spikes, but these are designed for thicker materials such as towels, where the material needs fluffing up after washing.
Soften by Natural Sun Drying
When it comes to drying your new sheets, one of the best ways to soften your sheets is to utilize natural sun drying. Sun drying is a great natural drying method, and saves electricity over a tumble dryer.
Method Details: When you have clear, sunny weather, simply hang your sheets out on the clothesline. Allow your sheets to dry for as long as needed. The natural air temperature will cause less damage to the sheets and increase their softness in comparison to hot machine drying cycles.
Tips: Use clothes pins every time to secure the sheets, so they don’t blow away or get damaged by the wind.
How To Soften Bed Sheets FAQ:
Which type of bed sheets are naturally softest?
You may be wondering how to avoid the issue of hard bed sheets in the first place. Cotton bed sheets are the most common choice for bed sheets. In order to find the softest sheets, you’ll want to pay attention to the thread count. Bed sheets with a high thread count are usually much softer and more comfortable and generally are of a higher quality. Look for a thread count of at least 250 to 300 for a luxury set of sheets. Pima cotton and Egyptian cotton are both popular options that are durable and breathable. To retain the softness of your new sheets, follow the enclosed care instructions and guidelines for washing your sheets. Other materials you may want to consider are bamboo and silk, although these can be more pricey alternatives.
Why might my Sheets be rough?
Bed sheets are stiff when you first purchase them due to the chemicals used in the manufacturing process. It’s always recommended to wash your new sheets before using them for the first time, but sometimes this is still not enough to remove their roughness. After you’ve solved the problem of your rough bed sheets, it’s advised to take note of the washing instructions for your new sheets to avoid any further issues in the future.
Is it okay to use Fabric Softener to soften bed sheets, and how does it work?
Of course, you may be wondering where fabric softener comes in as far as keeping your sheets soft. Typically, we don’t recommend using fabric softener, as it leaves a chemical coating on your sheets, lubricating the fabric. Although the name suggests otherwise, fabric softeners contain harsh chemicals which can damage sheets, especially if they are made from more delicate fabrics. Fabric softener also reduces the resistance to fire that any material has, and can be irritating for anyone with sensitive skin.
By following any of these methods listed above, or using a combination of them, you’ll be able to quickly and cheaply soften your hard bed sheets. In no time at all, you’ll be enjoying a comfortable night’s sleep. Following the care instructions and avoiding harsh chemicals while washing, you’ll will enjoy soft sheets for years to come.