How to Soften Stiff New Sheets

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There's nothing worse than stiff, scratchy sheets which ruin your night's sleep. This often happens with new sheets, where the stiffness is caused by chemical residues left over from the manufacturing process. Luckily there are several easy ways of softening your sheets, so you can have a luxuriously comfortable night's sleep! Start with Step 1 below to find out more.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using Baking Soda and Vinegar

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  1. After removing your new sheets from their packaging, place them directly into the washing machine.
    • If they are queen size or larger, you may want to wash the top and bottom sheets separately to give them enough room in the machine.
  2. Instead of your normal laundry detergent, add one cup of baking soda to the machine.
    • It's important to omit the detergent, as it tends to lock chemicals into the sheets. These chemicals contribute to the stiffness of the sheets, so it's better to remove them.
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  3. Set the machine to a regular cycle using warm water, and turn the washer on.
  4. When it's time for the rinse cycle, turn the temperature of the machine to cold and add a cup of white vinegar.
    • This will help to soften the sheets further, but is completely optional. The baking soda will work on its own. [1]
  5. When the rinse cycle is finished, remove the sheets from the machine and hang outside to dry in the sun.
    • This will help to soften them further. If you don't have space to dry them outside, place in the dryer and dry on a low setting - drying at too high a temperature can cause shrinkage.
  6. Once the sheets are dry, you can wash them a second time using the regular amount of detergent.
    • Although washing them twice sounds like a lot of work, it really helps to soften the sheets.
    • Dry outside or in the dryer, then iron them (if you like) and place them directly on the bed.
  7. Good quality sheets will become softer after every washing, drying and ironing cycle.
    • For ultimate softness (and durability) buy good quality cotton sheets with a high thread count.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using Other Substances

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  1. In addition to a cup of baking soda, you can add the recommended amount of your favorite fabric softener to the machine when you wash your new sheets. This provides extremely soft sheets. Alternatively, you can just use the softener on its own. [2]
  2. Add half a cup of turpentine to the washing water with the sheets and wash on a regular cycle using warm water.
    • Rinse thoroughly to remove most of the turpentine. Hang the sheets outside or on a clothes horse to dry.
    • It is very important that you do not put the sheets in the dryer after washing with turpentine as turpentine is combustible and could cause a fire.
  3. Fill a laundry tub with cold water and add 50g of Epsom salts. Stir the sheets around in the tub for two minutes (use a wooden spoon if you don't want your hands to get cold!)
    • Leave the sheets to soak overnight in the Epsom salts mixture. The following morning, rinse the sheets out thoroughly, then hang them outside to dry. [3]
  4. Fill a laundry tub with cold water and add 6 tablespoons (88.7 ml) of borax to the tub.
    • Add the sheets to the water, stir them around and leave them to soak overnight.
    • Rinse thoroughly the next morning and hang outside to dry.
  5. Fill a laundry tub with cold water and throw in 2 handfuls of salt. Add the sheets and leave them to soak overnight. Wash, rinse, and dry as usual.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Are there any other ways to soften sheets?
    Ocean Van
    Laundry & Dry Cleaning Expert
    Ocean Van is a Laundry & Dry Cleaning Expert based in Long Beach, California. He is the owner and operator of Coco Laundry, a full-service Laundromat and Wash & Fold service. Coco Laundry is a family-owned laundry service that offers top-rated wash, dry, fold, and convenient pickup/delivery options. He and his experienced team of laundry professionals offer commercial and residential laundry services, plus a self-serve laundry operation.
    Ocean Van
    Laundry & Dry Cleaning Expert
    Expert Answer
    Another method for softening stiff sheets is to incorporate fabric softener sheets into the drying process. Begin by placing the stiff sheets in the dryer. Add a few fabric softener sheets, depending on the size of the load. The softening agents in the sheets work to relax the fibers of the fabric during the drying cycle. Adjust the dryer settings to a moderate heat level, as excessive heat can contribute to stiffness. Start the drying cycle, allowing the fabric softener sheets to distribute their conditioning agents evenly throughout the sheets. Once the drying cycle is complete, remove the sheets promptly to prevent wrinkles from setting in. The fabric softener sheets will have worked to loosen the fibers, leaving you with noticeably softer and more pliable sheets. This method not only softens the sheets but also imparts a subtle fragrance for added freshness.
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  • Question
    Couldn't I save time by adding the baking soda and vinegar both at the beginning?
    Community Answer
    No. If you remember the ingredients of the volcano experiment you probably did as a kid, you'll know that mixing baking soda and vinegar causes carbon dioxide to form. By adding the baking soda then rinsing it, it reduces the tendency for the combination to bubble over.
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  • Question
    Can I buy baking soda in the UK?
    Community Answer
    Yes.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Baking soda
      • White vinegar
      • Fabric softener
      • Turpentine
      • Epsom salts
      • Borax
      • Salt
      • Stiff sheets

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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about laundry, check out our in-depth interview with Ocean Van .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.weekand.com/home-garden/article/soften-new-egyptian-cotton-sheets-18032764.php
      2. ↑ https://lifehacker.com/ingredients-for-turning-stiff-new-sheets-soft-400520
      3. ↑ https://houstonmattressdiscounters.wordpress.com/2014/01/14/how-to-soften-new-stiff-sheets-for-your-mattress/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you want to soften a stiff set of new sheets, place them in the washing machine and add 1 cup of baking soda in place of your regular detergent. Wash the sheets on a regular cycle with warm water. When it’s time for the rinse cycle, turn the temperature to cold and add 1 cup of white vinegar to the machine. Once the washing machine has finished, remove the sheets and hang them outside to dry, or put them in the dryer on low heat. If the sheets are still stiff, wash them again with regular detergent. Read on to learn how you can use turpentine or Epsom salts to soften your sheets!

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        Dec 16, 2017

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