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Itchy, scratchy new bedding!

(71 Posts)
helena Wed 15-Feb-12 15:58:02

Does anyone know how to soften new bedding? I have just spent a fortune on new, Egyptian cotton sheets thinking they would be cool and soft on my sensitive and over heated (hot flushes!!) skin!! I was disappointed to find that they are really rough and scratchy. It seems to be really difficult to buy good quality, soft bedding these days. Any suggestions would be really appreciated smile

Hetty58 Thu 26-Dec-19 19:03:47

A machine wash with vinegar instead of fabric conditioner (fill the compartment to the highest level) should soften the sheets.

Witzend Mon 30-Sept-19 10:49:27

I have stopped ironing sheets and duvet covers altogether, though I sometimes still iron pillowcases for guests. I don't find it makes any difference to comfort. The newest duvet cover I bought for our spare room king size has a dark blue William Morris pattern so TBH you can barely tell whether it's been ironed anyway!

Having said that, a Father Christmas duvet cover set I bought for Gdcs last year did feel very harsh and scratchy until I'd washed it at least twice. Admittedly it was very cheap, though.

GloriaAW Thu 19-Sept-19 16:49:33

It is all down the the quality and thread count of the cotton.

Here are a few things to bear in mind:
Most Egyptian cotton is not authentic (it has become a generic term for 'long staple cotton'). Look for cotton sheets that have the Egyptian cotton certification. Here is all you need to know about Egyptian cotton sheets.
Thread count is also import, too high and it will feel like card, too low and it will feel too thin. 600 is a good thread count but here is a more detailed thread count guide.

Great sheets will get better as they are used. If you have sheets that feel scratchy best thing is to keep washing them and plenty of fabric softener. Or move them to the spare room and treat yourself to a new set!

Hope that helps.

grandtanteJE65 Sat 16-Jun-18 11:26:28

Try washing your sheets on a hot cycle with vinegar added instead of conditioner.

Sorry to disappoint those who hate ironing, but it does help both with scratchy sheets and stiff bath towels.

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Situpstraight Sun 15-Apr-18 15:19:28

Thank goodness, she’s popping up everywhere Gagagran.

Gagagran Sun 15-Apr-18 15:13:27

Reported

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Katek Mon 10-Nov-14 21:21:18

Hahaha! I'm sure we were generating power though. Could maybe have run the bedside lamp off the sheets.....

rosequartz Mon 10-Nov-14 20:31:39

What a waste of all that methane!

pompa Mon 10-Nov-14 20:29:07

OMG just read Kateks pst properly.
Nylon sheets + nylon pj's + friction + static spark + fart = gas explosion capable of destroying a complete street.

Think this is far fetched, read this :-

www.nydailynews.com/news/world/farting-cows-blow-barn-build-methane-article-1.1594986

Makes ending up on the floor look pretty feeble.

rosequartz Mon 10-Nov-14 20:22:43

If you had the brushed nylon ones, pompa, any sliding around would be halted as your toenails or hard skin as described by Katek would prevent you shooting out of the bed.

pompa Mon 10-Nov-14 20:16:18

Katek, I think I would suffer the same fate as the silk sheets.

rosequartz Mon 10-Nov-14 19:35:35

The brushed ones were for the winter, pompa.

Katek Mon 10-Nov-14 19:32:24

Those were the (as we Scots say) skitey ones that made you slide a round the bed!

pompa Mon 10-Nov-14 19:00:03

I'm sure some of the early one weren't brushed and were slippery like silk.

Katek Mon 10-Nov-14 18:59:34

Ana...my good friend Google says yes!

Katek Mon 10-Nov-14 18:58:10

Omg.....you can still buy them!

www.celic.co.uk

Ana Mon 10-Nov-14 18:54:02

Didn't Alan Freeman do the tv ad for Brentford Nylons? I vaguely remember that...

Katek Mon 10-Nov-14 18:50:30

Oh how I remember Brentford Nylons! My mother was obsessed by how easily the sheets washed and dried and best of all.....no ironing! She had the brushed ones that your toenails or hard skin got caught on, and also the plain nylon which caused you to slide about the bed in your nylon nightie. It's a wonder the friction didn't cause us to combust! Fortunately I was only a visitor by then so only had to put up with them occasionally.

pompa Mon 10-Nov-14 18:35:06

Perhaps, when you were younger, the quality of the sheets was the last thing on your mind. wink

jinglbellsfrocks Mon 10-Nov-14 18:32:39

I remember Brentford Nylons.

Those sheets seemed alright at the time! Was it just down to being young? confused