Cotton based clothes becoming rough inside after several washes.

Off not of.

I try very hard to care for clothes, but frustrated as the areas where they are sewn, especially around the neck, become itchy, and the thread feels hardened. It would be nice to see a solution to this.

I bought two 100% merino wool jumpers from a well-known Scottish firm. I am pleased with them as they are really warm.

The washing instructions are the usual - ‘hand wash at mild temperature’ with an unusual (To me) additon. ‘ Can also be washed in a premium hair shampoo with conditioner. ‘
Has anyone tried this? If so what brand of shampoo? THeycome with all sorts of additions including oils .

If you have a Poundshop or The Range near you, then I recommend this. Don't be put off by its cheapness, like I thought I might be! It's so thick you don't need much more than a few dribbles, but it smells wonderful and leaves cottons so soft. I assume it's the natural oils.

Photo won't load.
It's called Asevi liquid detergent.

Marseille soap.

Try

“Martav “ did you use this in the washing machine? I will be looking for it. Thank you.

OP, it may be that you are using too much detergent and it isn’t entirely rinsing out? You could try putting the clothes through a wash with no detergent, and after that giving them an extra rinse cycle whenever you wash them.

Shaking before hanging to dry seems to make towels softer – I’m not sure whether it would work for your clothes, but in your place I would give it a try.

I always wash clothing inside out…….this reduces pilling, prevents zip pulls from catching, and helps protect any embellishment on a garment. Naturally, you can’t turn towels and bed linen inside out. A small quantity of white vinegar in the fabric conditioner drawer will help to soften fibres without adding fake, overpowering scents and coating fibres with animal fats which is basically what fabric conditioners are made of.

MartavTaurus

Try

Thank you MartavTaurus

Just checked, also available in B&M and Home Bargains
(Or was, before everyone saw this thread.)

Thank you “Skye”I have reduced the detergent but I will try putting them through with no detergent next time and then adding an extra rinse after that. I will also add the vinegar. Thank you all for your help. Will also try washing inside out.

Yes, in the machine Lovetopaint037. Fill the cap to 2/3, don't over do the detergent.

I have sensitive skin so I use Ecover or Method softeners.

I also wash most of my clothes inside out which helps to make them last longer.

Thank you Molly. Will.ook them out.

RachelID, I will often use shampoo for hand washing, especially while on vacation. As for the conditioners, they often contain shea butter, or argan oil. This is just adding in a little oil back in that the detergent strips out.

I would think any decent quality shampoo and conditioner would do the trick for wool sweaters. You could also use a detergent specifically for wool, such as Eucalan; I believe it contains lanolin, which is the natural oil from sheep's wool.

Lovetopaint, have you tried bamboo or blend? I have a nightie made of bamboo, and it has lasted forever and is very soft to wear.

Thank you Canadian that is certainly a possibility.

Warning - don't tumble dry bamboo items.

MollyNew

I have sensitive skin so I use Ecover or Method softeners.

Same here, use Ecover 0% washing machine liquid and 0% fabric conditioner. No perfumes/irritants etc. You can get it on Amazon at a reasonable price, or most good health food shops. Tesco do do some Ecover products, but not sure they do the 0% products.

Stop using liquid detergent! Try non-bio powder (Eg Fairy) or possibly detergent sheets.
Liquid detergent seems to build up in both fabrics and machines.

CanadianGran

Lovetopaint, have you tried bamboo or blend? I have a nightie made of bamboo, and it has lasted forever and is very soft to wear.

My bamboo socks are amazing and so soft as well

I'm guessing that the problem might be due to hard water. When we first moved in all my washing became harder and rougher, but now we have a water softener which has solved the problem. An in-wash water softening product might help, but I think that you'd need to use it in both the wash and the final rinse.