Do you know that the presence of chemicals in these Egyptian cotton sheets make them rough textured in the beginning? Constant and regular washing goes a long way in draining out these chemicals and making the sheets soft to touch.
Vinegar and baking soda have both been proven to help soften sheets. When washing your Egyptian cotton, start by using detergent as usual. Then add a fourth of a cup of white vinegar to the washer. Alternatively, you can skip washing with detergent and instead toss a cup of baking soda in with your linens.
Egyptian cotton sheets typically get softer and smoother with each washing. While they may start out a bit rougher, they should get a buttery texture over time.
Low-quality bedding is often made with short cotton fibers, which poke out of the weave and can make them feel rough. High-quality sheets, on the other hand, are often made of Pima cotton or Egyptian cotton. Both types of cotton are long-fibered, which make them soft, breathable, and luxurious.
Baking Soda/Vinegar Trick
There are two simple ingredients that can turn even basic, inexpensive sheets into silky soft bedding: baking soda and vinegar. All you have to do is toss those stiff sheets into the washer with 1 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of vinegar, and wash for one cycle.
Hotels use commercial detergents and fabric softeners. These are “commercial use only” products. Commercial fabric softeners include certain chemicals – like phosphates – that get laundry remarkably clean and make the sheets feel so smooth and soft.
Mainly caused by friction, bed sheet pilling happens when the fabric is rubbed against another surface. This causes the fibers of the fabric to wear and tear. Pilling is observed on many different types of bedsheets, typically near the foot of fitted sheets where a lot of rough movement occurs when sleeping.
Add ½ cup borax to a laundry tub of cool water and soak your sheets in the solution overnight. The next day run them through a wash cycle without detergent (or a small amount) and dry. Add 1 cup of salt to a laundry tub of cool water and let your sheets soak for a couple of days. Then wash as usual.
Yes, certain sheets can soften over time. Linen and luxury cotton sheets tend to break in and get softer with age. On the other hand, low quality sheets will likely pill and wear out, which can make them feel coarser over time.
Egyptian cotton is more breathable, moisture-wicking and absorbent than normal cotton, which helps to regulate your body temperature, making it ideal for balmy summer nights, and all year round comfortable sleeping. This works by drawing away moisture from your skin when you are hot, allowing you to cool down.
We generally recommend Egyptian cotton sheets in the 400-700 thread count range. However, shoppers should keep in mind that there may not feel a significant difference between higher and lower thread count sheets, and many high-quality 200-300 thread count sheets are quite comfortable.
Egyptian Cotton and Other Types of Cotton. Compared to “regular” cotton, including pima, Turkish cotton fabric feels softer and more plush due to its longer fibers. Egyptian cotton has the longest fibers, which creates a more plush fabric than Turkish cotton.
The strong and unbroken yarn of Egyptian cotton results in a fabric that is flexible. This means that 100% Egyptian cotton bed sheets feel super soft and can last even longer than regular cotton. It also doesn't pill, unlike other cotton, even after many washes.
Egyptian cotton bedding can be tumble dried on a low setting. To keep it looking its best, take it out of the dryer right after the cycle is completed, and iron quickly, while it's still very slightly damp, before folding and putting away. You might find that your bedding lasts longer if you hang it out to dry.
Low-quality bedding is often made with short cotton fibers, which poke out of the weave and can make them feel rough. High-quality sheets, on the other hand, are often made of Pima cotton or Egyptian cotton. Both types of cotton are long-fibered, which make them soft, breathable, and luxurious.
Mildly acidic (5 to 6 percent), white vinegar will not only soften clothes, but also freshen the scent, and it is especially effective at removing and preventing mildew odors. The mild acid is just strong enough to dissolve the residue alkaline soap residue, which is where the softening action comes from.
Remember that your sheets will become softer every time you wash them. Good quality sheets will become softer after every washing, drying and ironing cycle. For ultimate softness (and durability) buy good quality cotton sheets with a high thread count.
Why do my sheets feel rough after washing? If you have not used a fabric conditioner when washing your sheets that protects the fibres and softens the fabric, they can become rough.
At a minimum, look for sheets with an advertised thread count of 200. Anything lower than likely won't feel as soft, and may result in a less comfortable sleeping experience.
Thread count refers to the number of horizontal and vertical threads per square inch. Generally, the higher the thread count, the softer the sheet, and the more likely it will wear well — or even soften — over time. Good sheets range anywhere from 200 to 800, although you'll occasionally see numbers over 1,000.
Most hotel bed sheets are high-quality cotton, though you'll occasionally find hotel bed sheets made from linen. Look for durable and soft cotton, like Egyptian and Supima, and keep up with cleaning your sheets and bed so your bedroom feels like a luxury hotel.
Typically, five-star hotels follow three rules regarding the type of sheets they purchase for their beds. Knowing their guests all need high-quality rest, the sheets must have a high thread count, be Egyptian cotton, and the sheets' colors must be white.
The general range of 200 to 400 is what to look for, though counts in the range of 300 to 360 will likely be the softest.