4 Simple Ways To Make Your Linens Even Softer

Treating yourself to linen bedding is the ultimate form of self-love and care. These soft and refreshing sets are sure to give you the best night's sleep and look great in any capacity. Because people spend so much time in bed, it is important to invest in good, solid options that not only feel good but last for a long time. While the price tag on linen sheets might be higher than your run-of-the-mill microfiber or cotton, they are worth the investment. According to Linen Me, not only are they breathable, but they also resist bacteria and soak up moisture, leaving you dry, cool, and protected while you slumber.

Linen sheets might feel more crisp than buttery when you first purchase them, which can be disconcerting after all the rave reviews about their softness. While this is only temporary, it can easily become frustrating if all you want is to climb into a lavish pile of nice, new sheets after replacing your old ones. However, there is a multitude of ways to transform stiff linens into a silky, rich texture, and the following suggestions will help get them there faster. Your bedding will go from stiff to satiny in no time, thanks to these simple techniques — so get ready for some real rest.

1. Wash them before use

Whenever people buy new clothes, sheets, towels, or other fabric-based items, they might put them in the wash before use. Not only does this get starch or other factory-based chemicals out of them, but it usually softens them up and makes them feel better than new. With that in mind, after bringing home new linen bedding, the first thing you should do is throw them in the washing machine. Laytner's Linen & Home recommends using a cold wash, but if you want to use the warm cycle, keep it under 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

It is ideal for keeping this load separate from other items, just putting sheets in the machine together to allow them to become properly saturated and cleansed in the water. If you are going to use detergent, mild options are best for linen bedding. Opt for liquid over powder to keep them from feeling coarse or gritty due to trapped particles. If you want to be extra gentle on sheets and covers, begin filling up the washing machine before adding detergent, then pour in a small amount, allowing everything to mix for a minute or two. Add the linens last, making sure to keep anything with buttons, zippers, or other catches out of that load.

2. Add dryer balls to the dry cycle

After washing your linens, you'll likely throw them in the dryer to help soften them even more. Typically, people used dryer sheets to reduce the amount of static that accumulates during this cycle and to add softness to fabrics. These sheets are handy, but there is something even better to use when it comes to bigger items like bedding and even towels. Dryer balls have become more and more popular in households, and it is because they offer the same benefits as the sheets but with an added bonus. When placing three to four of these in with your load, they keep everything from getting wrapped together, which can be detrimental to the fabric.

There are several different options you can purchase, including rubber or plastic models, but one of the most efficient selections is made of wool. This material helps dry items even faster, and according to Maytag, they roll in between the different pieces in the dryer, making sure each piece is dried efficiently and pulling out wrinkles. The movement of the balls makes them better than regular sheets and still adds softness to the fabric.

3. Soften with baking soda

Baking soda is the unsung hero of many households. From neutralizing odors to acting as a stain remover, this useful product serves a variety of purposes. This savvy hack is also great for softening your new linens, making them buttery to the touch. By adding baking soda to warm or cold water and soaking the bedding in it overnight, you can remove the hard, crispy texture from the sheets quickly and efficiently. In order to try this method, Late Mornings recommends adding 1/2 cup to water, which can either be a washing machine cycle or a bucket for hand washing. Let the powder dissolve, but if you are hand washing them, soak the sheets overnight.

The pH in baking soda is nine, which makes it ideal for softening purposes while posing no risk to the linen. Silver Bobbin notes that because it is an alkali, this substance can also gently remove odors and stains from fabrics, as well as balance the water's pH while it works. In addition, if residue from the factory or manufacturer is lingering on your bedding, the baking powder will get rid of it, leaving only a soft, comfortable texture.

4. White vinegar helps, too

Because linens have been known to feel stiff or crisp when you first put them on the bed, they might need to be softened first. Time and wear will help, but you might not want to wait to fall into your new cozy, rich bedding after treating yourself. If softer linens are what you're after, one of the simplest ways to achieve this is using white vinegar instead of the harsh chemicals found in most detergents.

Perfect Handmade note there are two options when it comes to using vinegar: the first is to put 1 cup of the liquid into the washing machine and run a cycle. The second option is to add 1 cup to a gallon of water and soak the fabric overnight. Do this in a tub or basin, not the washer, then run the linens through the machine afterward, finishing the load off in the dryer.