Cotton based clothes becoming rough inside after several washes.

There have been some great suggestions already. I just wanted to say to everyone, unless you have really filthy clothes which most of us don’t, you don’t need such commercially strong chemical laden products. Don’t believe the hype. spot stain removal if necessary pre wash. They are so bad for your skin, the environment, children, animals. Use one of the numerous alternative companies selling better products where you can still reduce the amount suggested ie cut the washing sheet in half again or use a much much smaller amount of the product which is also more economical. Cotton pilling is unusual these days, is it 100% cotton? often too hot and long a wash as well as poor quality material. The harsh chemicals in big brand washing powders/liquids leave residue which builds up. You could try a 15 min wash at 20 with a good quality wool wash, a spoon ful is enough. If you dry naturally sometimes while still a little damp i put them in the dryer for a few mins with a felt ball to soften and immediately fold or hang, no need to iron. as for itchy labels on the neck, most are polyester or the stitching is, ie plastic, awful stuff. look for brands who print instead of putting labels in. Get an unpicker and gently remove labels and their stitches when new. write to manufacturers and raise the issue.

I buy t-shirts from a company called Evertee. They're longer than most other t-shirts and still remain soft after several washes.

www.evertee.co.uk/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23167285113&gbraid=0AAAABBwVu3c75xgFcVfnC-05BpS6-Ttbz

If they're mostly cotton and as you say 'unbearable to wear' take them to an animal shelter. They'd welcome them for cleaning and bedding.

I’m also wondering if it’s the often, if during the winter, I leave my wet washing on a clothes dryer, say, to dry off, it gets a bit rough. Contrary to a previous reply, I find that a few minutes in a tumble dryer softens that up.

I buy their t-shirt too.
Yes, they are soft.

Sometimes I find it's the labels in clothes which scratch or are irritating. I cut them out but have to remember the washing instructions for the garment.

I’ve been buying T Shirts etc from a company called Lands End . They use what they call supima cotton which apparently long fibres . I don’t know about that but it is lovely and soft and washes well . They also sell to USA who demand quality . I buy online but they have an outlet store in Rutland.

Nearly all my clothes are pure cotton as I am allergic to a lot of man-made fibres, and I have never had the problem you describe.

Have you tried using washing-powder or liquid that is specifically designed for people with allergies or astma?

Any such laundry soap is less likely to cause problems. I also use less soap than the makers advise. My washing is just as clean as it would be if I used the amount stated. This too may have something to do with the difference between my washing and yours.

How often do you wash your clothes? Too frequent washing will shorten the life of any clothes.

Finally, how do you dry your clothes? A tumble drier affects clothes badly, I find.

Harsh sewing thread is probably caused by it being polyester thread, not cotton. Garments can apparently be sold labelled 100% cotton, even if the thread used to sew them is not cotton!

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.

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

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.

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.

Warning - don't tumble dry bamboo items.

Thank you Canadian that is certainly a possibility.

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.

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.

Thank you Molly. Will.ook them out.

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

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

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

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.

MartavTaurus

Try

Thank you MartavTaurus

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

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.

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.

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

Try