Debra Lynn Dadd

How can I soften my new organic cotton bedsheets?

QUESTION:

Hello, I recently received my first set of bedsheets in a beautiful organic cotton bag. They are beautiful but unfortunately this cotton is so very rough! :( It is also somewhat itchy. Needless to say, a very uncomfortable sleeping experience! I was very surprised since my organic terry robe & towels are the softest and so are my organic cotton balls, 1000 times softer than regular cotton. Not so with the woven cotton. I don't mind stiff but do not care for itchy & scrachy! :(

What natural products can I use to soften my sheets? I heard about an enzyme wash but all got is so far as wondering whether I need to buy digestive enzyme cellulase caps and open a few into the laundry water and soak them. Would that do it? Is this what an enzyme wash is? I read that cellulase digests fiber. I also read about soaking in boiling water and 2 cups of vinegar but I haven't tried.

Any natural tips on how to get these sheets soft and non-itchy (but not coated with any oils) will be greatly appreciated! Thanks. :)

POSTED BY CHRIS :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 08/17/2009 11:56 AM

DEBRA'S ANSWER:

I've noticed some organic cotton sheets are stiff too. It's not the cotton itself. It must be some kind of finish. I don't know what.

My experience has been that cotton gets softer and softer the more you wash it.

Readers, any other ideas?

Debra :-)

COMMENTS:

I use white vinegar in the rinse cycle in the washing machine as a natural fabric softener. It works well and helps against static cling, too, so I don't have to use dryer sheets. I usually ony use 1/4-2/3 cup, but if your sheet are very scratchy, the vinegar and hot water thing you read would probably work well.

POSTED BY ADICA :: MICHIGAN USA :: 08/20/2009 2:38 PM

I use white distilled vinegar made from grains in my washer and cloths are usually soft, even after being hung outside to dry.

POSTED BY REENIE :: FLORIDA USA :: 08/20/2009 3:58 PM

Hello there,

Cotton does tend to get softer and softer as it is washed repeatedly. This, unfortunately, also causes additional wear and you may find that they wear out faster than they ought to. There are different varieties of sheeting, and you may want to consider purchasing a Sateen or some other such knit in the future if you\'re looking for something a bit softer! At White Lotus Home, we offer a line of certified organic cotton sateen sheets, and also a line of 100% cotton sateen sheets, which are both super silky and smooth! If you\'d like a sample of these sheeting materials, please just email us at sales@whitelotus.net with your name, address, and sample request and we\'ll mail them out to you free of charge! You can read more about our sheets on our website at www.whitelotus.net. Hope that all gets better with your scratchie sheets! Let us know if we can help in any way.

POSTED BY HALLEE :: WWW.WHITELOTUS.NET :: WWW.WHITELOTUS.NET :: NEW JERSEY USA :: 08/24/2009 3:38 PM

Sorry I just realize you wrote "some kind of finish". Really??? But then it follows that the finish would have toxic chemicals? Then it's not so organic anymore, is it? I wonder if that's the reason I'm feeling no relief from my organic bedding? I expect it to change my life for the best.... :-(

POSTED BY CHRIS :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 08/24/2009 3:39 PM

Thanks for reply. I forgot: the cotton has a low-impact dye so nothing that would remove the color, I'm quite fond of this shade! Thanks.

POSTED BY CHRIS :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 08/24/2009 3:39 PM

I tried 2 cups of white vinegar and hot water soaked for half a day and hung to dry: no change is roughness, scartchiness or itchiness. :( Any other ideas? (PS: Let me know if the ideas are ok to try on low-impact dyed sheets) Thanks

POSTED BY CHRIS :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 08/24/2009 5:03 PM

Chris, have you tried using hot water with the vinegar soak? If part of the problem is the natural cotton oil this should help. Not all organic cotton goods are "safe" for chemically sensitive persons. A low impact dye may be good for the environment, but not necessarily for good for the sensitive person.

POSTED BY ANNIQUE :: COLORADO USA :: 08/31/2009 5:38 PM

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