Comment from emily
Time: August 15, 2008, 5:26 am

i wonder if this works on scratchy, NON-new sheets? i’m going to try it.

Comment from Sally
Time: August 15, 2008, 12:17 pm

This is definitely one of those things that come down to personal preference - I am completely the other way with bedlinens, the stiffer and crisper the better.

I always wash them at the hottest setting possible for hygiene purposes, but would never dream of adding fabric conditioner or of putting them in the dryer!

Comment from Lesley
Time: August 15, 2008, 7:27 pm

Great information. I haven’t experienced scratchy sheets before but will keep this in mind if I ever come across them.

Vinegar is great for getting rid of soap residue in the rinse cycle and it’s a good substitute for fabric softener which is chemically designed to do the same thing. I use baking soda around the house for cleaning…it’s fabulous on porcelain (tubs, bathroom sinks, tiles).

Comment from Chris
Time: August 17, 2008, 4:28 pm

Wait a second - you want sheets without chemicals and you’re adding a gallon of fabric softener. Do you have any idea what’s in that? Lots and lots of chemicals. In fact, fabric softeners contain long-chain ammonium compounds that are a lot like detergents, but don’t wash out at the end of the cycle.

Pingback from Life Clerks » Ingredients for Turning Stiff New Sheets Soft [Household]
Time: August 17, 2008, 4:44 pm

[…] The Sundry Buzz blog’s Linda doesn’t like to jump onto stiff, scratchy sheets after bringing them home from the shop. After a little net research, she found a seemingly sure-fire way of making them feel like favorites after a first wash. The trick is to use the hottest water, no detergent, lots of fabric softener, and a cup of baking soda during the wash cycle. When they emerged, the sheets were fresh-smelling and “a thousand times softer.” There’s a few other ideas on there to maximize softness, but let’s hear it from you. When you arrive home with brand-new garments or linens that just don’t feel right, what’s the best way to make them feel like old favorites? Share your old-fashioned or new-fangled secrets in the comments. Photo by bovinity. How to soften new sheets [Sundry Buzz] […]

Comment from Linda
Time: August 17, 2008, 5:42 pm

Comment from David Grant
Time: August 17, 2008, 6:26 pm

How do you know that “the baking soda made them smell really fresh and clean and nice”, and not the fabric softner. And it sounds like you tried like 4 things at once, so it’s difficult to say which one did the trick.

Comment from Alex
Time: August 17, 2008, 9:07 pm

I told my roommate I was going to go try softening my sheets after reading this article.
He asked me what I was going to use and I told him some baking soda and vinegar.

He told me he had a similar experience with his 4th grade science project.

Comment from Linda
Time: August 17, 2008, 9:29 pm

Comment from tyler hurst
Time: August 18, 2008, 12:14 am

I love how people take the time to comment on blogs that were not solicited to them nor do they for, and instead of adding something, they find something to complain about.

Comment from Lisa
Time: August 18, 2008, 8:00 am

Linda - LOVE your previous comment. If there are instrx for all mankind, I bet vinegar and banking soda are at the top of that list, eh? LOL

Great suggestions - will try them on my sheets!

Pingback from NerdLike | My Sheets Are Softer Than Yours
Time: August 18, 2008, 8:29 am

[…] [Via Lifehacker via Sundry Buzz] Tags: Hacks, Sheets […]

Comment from Becca
Time: August 18, 2008, 10:58 am

Linda,
Thanks for the tips. I just bought new sheets and was pining away for the old ones that smelled nicer and were softer, but clearly faded and gross. I will try your methods and see if I can’t get the new ones all soft and yummy straight away!

P.S. Ignore the idiots, some people don’t know how to not be assholes.

Comment from Beryl
Time: August 18, 2008, 11:42 am

My sheets are scratchy because the water is hard. Vinegar will work because it is acid.
To those who object to chemicals, stop using town supply water, stick a bucket out in the rain and don’t wash your sheets until it is full of nice pure rain water.
Ok, seriously…town water is full of chemicals which people drink every day and wash their clothes in so it’s a bit ignorant to avoid fabric softener if you live in the city and don’t pick and weave your own pure indian cotton to ensure it is chemical free …the chemicals in the fabric softener merely neutralise the chemicals in the sheets and the water.

Comment from Melissa
Time: August 18, 2008, 6:34 pm

Hilarious! I almost forgot this was about softening your sheets. LOVE the drama from the idiots. LOVE IT! Cheap and free entertainment. Go Linda…Go Linda…. (and Beryl)

Comment from xtimx
Time: August 19, 2008, 9:41 am

linda,

when you do this, does the softness last for the lifetime of the sheets or do you have to repeat this regularly?

…tim

Comment from Sundry
Time: August 19, 2008, 10:26 am

Comment from Patrick
Time: August 19, 2008, 11:01 am

Wait?!?!? Vinegear + Baking Soda = Washer Volcano? Are you sure that’s a good substitute?

Comment from Laziza
Time: August 19, 2008, 3:01 pm

This might be best comment thread I’ve ever read. Who knew WASHING SHEETS was so fraught with controversy?

Comment from Lesley
Time: August 19, 2008, 10:43 pm

Oh shit, Linda, I hope you didn’t interpret my comment to be lecture-ly. Yikes… I realize others here have sounded alarm over fabric softener but that wasn’t my intention when I mentioned vinegar.

Comment from Tara
Time: August 20, 2008, 7:42 am

This is sort of off-topic, but I bought some new bedsheets from Target a few months back and they were (are) AWESOME as-is, no special treatment required. (but I do wash sheets & towels with fabric softener, so shoot me!!) They’re the Target-brand Bamboo sheets–super, super soft and comfy. I need to buy another set (or two), because I now hate all other sheets.

But maybe my 2nd-rate sheets just need the Linda treatment, so I’ll try that first. Thanks for the tips!

Comment from zchamu
Time: August 20, 2008, 8:39 am

Oooh, thank you for posting this. I bought new sheets and was so disappointed in the scratchy-ness. Am re-washing them with baking soda and extra softener now!

Comment from Heather D
Time: August 20, 2008, 10:37 am

I’ve tried those bamboo sheets too. Everyone else in my family loves them but I find that they stick to my jammies and I slowly get constricted in my sleep as I toss and turn. Hmmm, maybe I should look for jammies not made of velcro.

Comment from Traci
Time: August 20, 2008, 1:29 pm

Rarely do you find a thread with such helpful, easily-applied information and entertainment together like this. Thanks Linda!

Comment from amarie
Time: August 21, 2008, 8:55 pm

RE: baking soda + vinegar in laundry.

I do this often, and it really helps get things clean with fewer chemicals and icky residues. The trick is to add the baking soda while the washer is filling (with the detergent) and then add the vinegar with the rinse water. Use about the same amount of each. I sometimes forget, but it’s best to use both, because adding the vinegar after the baking soda returns your laundry to a neutral pH.

Pingback from SundryBuzz: How to soften new sheets « Williamo’s Blog.
Time: August 22, 2008, 4:41 pm

[…] (via SundryBuzz.com) Posted by willwm Filed in Tutorials […]

Comment from tasterspoon
Time: August 22, 2008, 5:13 pm

I bought these so-called 1000-count sheets, and they’re like a cross between cardboard and astroturf. They’ve gotten a little better over the past two months, but still far from cuddly. Baking soda and vinegar it is. I shall avoid contaminating our waterways (Watershed Watch!) and use a dryer sheet. Or seven.

Comment from Sarah
Time: August 24, 2008, 12:52 pm

I just tried your method with high hopes - and my sheets came out with just a “slight” improvement. I used 1 cup of baking soda in the wash cycle, and 2 capfuls of Seventh Generation Fabric Softener in the rinse. I bought 620-count sheets a week ago and this is my second washing. They are called “Ultimate Luxury Hotel Collection”, and they are far from luxurious. I will wash again in a few days with the vinegar option, to see if they get any softer. I hope it helps!

Comment from tara
Time: August 28, 2008, 8:06 pm

I can’t believe my luck! I found a link to this thread on notmartha a few days ago and then yesterday happened upon a great deal on “super soft” sheets that are more like cardboard. Any idea on how to do this with a front loading washer? I suppose I could put the vinegar in the softener dispenser, but what about the baking soda?

Comment from Jamie
Time: October 17, 2008, 2:35 pm

Just FYI for the frustrated folks who pay good money for high thread count sheets only to be so disappointed- if you buy Egyptian Cotton sheets in a lower thread count (of course nothing lower than 200) they will feel much softer than higher thread count regular cotton sheets. I’m not sure why but I can tell you from years of experience and wasting too much money the trick is to find Egyptian Cotton. You will be AMAZED at the difference!

Comment from tdm
Time: November 1, 2008, 7:50 pm

Linda — Are you saying you wash the sheets in baking soda AND fabric softener??? Or wash in baking soda and rinse in fabric softner? And, how much is “lots” of fabric softener?

Comment from Cheryl
Time: November 2, 2008, 10:36 am

My husband and I were spoiled by these Ralph Lauren only 300 hundred count but high cotten sateen sheets we bought about 7years ago. From day one they were the softest sheets we’d ever slept on! It was like taking a sleeping pill-honestly. Thought we’d have no probably replacing the ‘likeness’. Well, hundreds of dollars later we have yet to find the replacement. I’m deeply depressed over this. Is it the sateen? Because these were just 300 thread count. I just bought a 500 thread count-Ralph Lauren and like sandpaper. I'’m going to wash them 5 times today and use the tips from above. I so miss those sheets…..

Comment from Laura
Time: November 19, 2008, 5:02 pm

okay so i’m way late to this party, but i’m hoping there are other people out there perusing the archives…if you are too lazy to pay enough attention to the laundry to add the vinegar to the rinse, can you stick it in a downy ball and assume it will come out at a reasonably appropriate time?

Comment from Ethan - Internet Advertising
Time: December 3, 2008, 8:51 am

HI Linda! i was so kind of you to share your discoveries! i’m a beginner in hsehold duties so i’ll keep in mind all the avices! thanx

Comment from Sofia - Software Recovery Reviewer
Time: December 8, 2008, 1:51 am

yeah! this information presented by you is really helpfull. for me it would take so many hours to do the job you’ve done. but indeed i’m so lazy for surfin the i-net for finding answers to domectic questions))) thanx a lot!

Comment from Diane
Time: February 8, 2009, 7:45 am

I have been honored with the task of re-laundering some vestments from the church. These are pure linen, and the previous laundress starched these items so much that they are unwearable. I have washed them now three times in scalding water and am still unable to remove the starch and soften them enough for the priest to wear. Will the baking soda and fabric softener work on 100% linen? Any suggestions for a fabric softener without fragrance?

Comment from wilene
Time: March 6, 2009, 9:43 pm

soft sheets i was spending hundreds of dollars on expensive sheets, Egyptian cotton blah blah blah, but i called lands end and told them i wanted sheets like my mom used to have that are soft and cool when you first get in them they are a cotton poly blend they used to be called easy care they have a refund on their sheets also even if you have washed them!! so if the baking soda and fabric softener isnt working try lands end they do let you return them!!

Comment from Anonymous
Time: April 18, 2009, 1:29 pm

seriously? buy eco friendly fabric softener people

Comment from KentD
Time: May 11, 2009, 6:11 am

Fabric softener does not neutralize chemicals in the water. The key ingredient in Downey is Dihydrogenated tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride. It leaves a layer of purified grease on the threads.
http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/magazine/16-12/st_whatsinside

Comment from gmc engines
Time: September 28, 2009, 5:54 am

Thanks for your excellent site. I have found a similar site containing excellent information on Low Milage Engine and great Resources related to Car Engines and getting the best guidance on Low Milage Engine at http://www.lowmileageengines.com/

Have fun!

Regards,

GMCEngine

………..

Comment from Ann
Time: October 13, 2009, 12:38 pm

Ok, I tried this method and it seems to have worked, but one note to add. If you are doing this with BRAND NEW sheets that have colors like, red, orange, etc. washing on the hot setting, as suggested, WILL make the color run. However, I did wash again on my regular setting of warm/cold with 3-4 oz of OxiClean and it took the stains right out.

Thanks
ann

Comment from kristin
Time: November 2, 2009, 6:11 pm

OK:This is a lot of work but if you at least iron the fitted sheet on the hottest setting with steamyour 600-800 TC sheets will feel smoother and softer. Also don’t wash good sheets with towels or anything else. This roughs up the fibers and they dont lay flat and smooth. Advice about 300-400 TC is correct they are usually softer but make sure the cotton is single- ply long staple cotton. Pima or Supima are as good as Egyptian cotton & made in the USA usually. if your rich, have your sheets professionally laundered.

Comment from Jan
Time: November 21, 2009, 2:50 pm

OK, I have scoured the web for the answer to this question and agree that Baking Soda, Vinager, salt or epsom salt, turpentine, etc. might all work to soften stiff sheets. I have also learned that their are many people looking for a good answser.

I have tried the Baking Soda, Salt, Vinegar, and excess softener on my new 800 count pure cotton sheets and they still feel like sandpaper and stiff enough to stand up by themselves. We are stepping down from our old 1000 count sheets so I don’t know why everyone says that higher count sheets are softer. We used some nwe 200 count sheets with after one washing and even though they felt like we were sleeping under tissue paper they sure were soft and cozy. I am sure the 800 count sheets will soften up eventually but why should I and most others have to go through this.

So now my question, why the heck do the manufacturers do this to us? Why don’t they get their chemicals out of our new sheets? And why do we all tollerate this.

The sample piece in the store felt very soft and not at all stiff but it may have been hanging their for a year getting massaged by everyone walking by.

I understand that their are a few tough souls out there who like there sheets to be a bit crisp but it might be easier to give them an easy instruction on how to stiffen and crispen up their sheets than to make the majority of us turn a weekend into a perpetual laundry day of washing the same load.

We have just put these sheet back into the washing machine for their sixth ride through our washer and dryer. If nothing else our power and gas company will love us and we may get a notice from the water company about our excess water use this month. The utility bills may well be more the sheets this time around too.

I agree that the poly blend sheets do soften up much more but they are also prone to pilling which is very uncomfortable. Maybe I will try those new bamboo sheets … they are supposed to be soft but what about splinters and will my pet panda want them on the lunch menu?

Comment from Nerakay
Time: January 3, 2010, 1:15 pm

I am so glad to have found this thread. Like others I found it both amusing and informative. I was so excited about my new higher count sheets, washed them and jumped in! YUCK! Couldn’t sleep for the noise the pillow case made. Finally got up and exchanged it for a clean older pillow case. Woke up this morning surprised I had slept at all in the hard noisy sheets. Wondered if the net had any recommendations. Who knew? LOL! Thanks for sharing - I’m about to create a washing machine volcano.

Comment from Grace
Time: January 19, 2010, 11:50 pm

This blog is AWESOME!!! I recently purchased 200 thread count sheets because they were on sale. They are still in the package because when I opened them they were very stiff, oh no!! I’m very thankful for this blog…..I couldn’t sleep so thought that I would google “how to soften sheets”, and what do ya know….Thanks so much…I will try this asap…..

Comment from Theresa
Time: January 27, 2010, 10:42 am

Thank you for this info/blog! I am gonna try this and come back with my results. I have new stiff, sandpaper like sheets and have washed them ten times in hot water to no avail.

I have put the fitted sheet and 1 on the pillowcases in the wash and have started my washing machine volcano. I will compare the non-volcano pillowcase and flat sheet to the washing machine volcano washed pillowcase and fitted sheet to see or “feel” if there is a difference.

Comment from Tiffany
Time: February 4, 2010, 6:01 am

I bought sheets/bedding combo in a bag a few months back…they were the best sheets I’ve ever owned and cannot find another set like them (they dont’ even sell the same set I bought)…I had to switch to a different sheet set bc of the thickness of my mattress (deeper than the 18″ deep pocket)…I have these neat sheets now w/ spandex or stretchy material on the ends (fit a 7-24″ mattress like nothing I’ve seen before, plus the flat sheet is oversized)…washing my sheets and putting them on has never been easier, but I don’t like the way the feel as much as the old set, and they were PRICEY)…my 6yr old picked out a Batman sheet set, I tried talking him into something softer/solid, but he refused and they feel like a potato sack…I have one of those energy efficient washers (I hate, bc they don’t use as much water and clothes aren’t as clean as the reg washers)…I decided to take them to a laundry mat and use the highest soil level wash as possible and hot water…they are softer and for some reason (I love doing my laundry in a mat) bc clothes come out soooo much fresher and stay that way longer…but, the fabric is still not as soft as I would like…ne idea how to soften them so that they don’t exfoliate his skin while he sleeps? especially w/ one of those HE washers (my husband decided to buy)?