There's nothing worse than stiff, textured sheets that disturb your sleep at night. This is often the case with new sheets, where the stiffness is due to chemical residue left over from the manufacturing process. Luckily there are a few easy ways to smooth your sheets, so you can enjoy a good night's sleep! Start with the first step to find out more.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using Baking Soda and Vinegar
Step 1. Place the sheets in the washing machine
After removing your new sheets from the wrapper, place them directly in the washing machine.
If your sheets are queen size or larger, you'll need to wash the top and bottom sheets separately to allow enough room in the washing machine
Step 2. Add one cup of baking soda
Add a cup of baking soda to the washing machine instead of your regular laundry soap.
Step 3. Don't use laundry soap, as laundry soap tends to lock the chemicals in the sheets
These chemicals contribute to the stiffness of the sheets, so it's better not to use laundry soap.
Step 4. Wash as usual
Turn the washer for a normal spin using warm water, and turn on the washer.
Step 5. Add one cup of vinegar during the wash cycle
When it's time for the rinse cycle, lower the temperature to cool and add a cup of white vinegar.
This will help the sheets become even smoother, but this step is optional. The baking soda will work on its own too
Step 6. Row to dry the sheets
When the rinsing process is complete, remove the sheets from the machine, and hang them outside to dry in the sun.
This will help the sheets to become even smoother. If you don't have room to dry them outdoors, put them in the dryer and dry on a low setting – drying at too high a temperature will cause shrinkage
Step 7. Wash again
Once the sheets are dry, you can wash them a second time using the usual soap.
- While washing them twice may seem like a hassle, it will help smooth the sheets.
- Dry out in the yard or in the dryer, then scrub them (if you prefer) and place them directly on the mattress.
Step 8. Remember that your sheets will become smoother after you wash them, dry them, and scrub them
e.
For maximum smoothness (and longevity) buy good quality sheets with good threads
Method 2 of 2: Using Other Ingredients
Step 1. Use fabric softener
In addition to a cup of baking soda, you can add your favorite fabric softener with much recommended in the pack into the machine when you wash your new sheets. This will make the sheets very smooth. Alternatively, you can just use a softener.
Step 2. Use turpentine
Add half a cup of turpentine to the washing machine with the sheets and wash in a regular cycle in warm water.
- Rinse thoroughly to remove most of the turpentine. Hang the sheets outdoors or on hangers to dry.
- It is very important that you "don't" put your sheets in the dryer after washing them with trupentine, as turpentine is flammable and can cause a fire.
Step 3. Add the English salt
Fill the sink with cold water and add 50 g of English salt. Toss the sheets in the sink for 2 minutes (use a wooden spoon if you don't want your hands to get cold!)
Let the sheets soak overnight in the Epsom salt mixture. The next morning, wash the sheets thoroughly, then hang them outside to dry
Step 4. Use borax
Fill a wash bucket with cold water and add 6 spoons of borax to the bucket.
- Add the sheets to the water, stir them around and let them soak overnight.
- The next morning, wash it thoroughly and hang it outside to dry.
Step 5. Use salt
Fill a wash bucket with cold water and add 2 handfuls full of salt. Add sheets and leave to soak overnight. Wash, rinse, and dry as usual.
