Itchy, scratchy new bedding!

I used to hate ironing (5 children and 1 husband make LOADS of ironing!) but, after they had mostly left home (!!) I bought one of those irons with a reservoir and quite enjoy the easy repetitiveness of it and I usually listen to Meatloaf at the same time. I iron duvet covers, pillowcases and tea towels but not bottom sheets or dusters. I have a friend who used to iron terry nappies

If I run out of time, I take it to the dry cleaners in the village who are good and not too expensive.

WHEN I win the lottery, not only will I have clean bed linen every day but someone will nip in while my back is turned and change the bed!

Thank you all for your advice and comments. Like Carol, I got my sheets from Cosco. I did wash them before putting them on the bed (wouldn't dream of putting them on without washing first!), but they are still rough. I have bought others in the past from Costco and they have been lovely. I assume a different cotton has been used in the new ones (as suggested by Johanna), and that they will just need a few thousand washes to get them to the smooth, soft feel that I want!! Best go and get that washing machine on again........

I just gave them a lot of conditioner when I put them through the first wash and they were great after that.

helena when you put them through the wash again stop the cycle and let them soak in the conditioner for a while that should do the trick.

I don't do any more ironing than is necessary but I do like to iron bedding - it feels so much nicer. I too have a problem with Egyptian cotton. It's horrific to iron but unbearable not to iron it as it dries too crumpled to use. I gave up after 2/3 cycles, but may just put it through a few more washes to see if it improves.

Helena, maybe you should try silk bedding. I think it will be ok for your skin, it's really soft and comfortable to sleep on. I buy mine here: www.jasminesilk.com/

I have Egyption cotton sheets from qvc ( I'm a bit addicted its my guilty secret) they are a -- bugger-- difficult to iron but they are lovely. The older they get the softer they become. My army son is always telling me how wonderful it is to sleep in them. It makes me feel all warm and mumsy

Silk sheets at my age ?. One fart and I'd be on the floor.

pompa I have just spluttered into my cup of tea.

I love cotton sheets, all the effort to iron them is really worth it. I must admit to ironing linen tea towels. I love the smell of the freshly ironed cotton and linen.
I watch catch up TV or listen to radio 4 while ironing and limit myself to the programme. X

I have bought Egyptian cotton sheets for years - one set was very scratchy and I abandoned them in the end! The others were soft and lovely after a couple of washes, so I think it depends on the make.

I remember reading somewhere that Hugh Grant likes Egyptian cotton sheets but won't sleep in them until they have been washed 12 times (presumably washed and ironed by some lackey, not by himself!)

What thread count are your sheets, helena? The higher the thread count the nicer and softer they are. Do they have a sateen finish?

I treated myself to some old fashioned flannelette sheets last year. They are so soft and cosy I virtually purr when I get into bed. I`m just debating with myself whether its chilly enough to put them on the bed yet.
Quite agree re clean sheets. Just in case I win the lottery where can one find the helpful fairies to arrange a daily change?
pompa glad you`re feeling better!

Pompa I was just doing a catch up on threads and nearly fell off my stool when I read your post.

pompa . What more can I add?

pompa you just exposed my Hyacinth Bucketness. Here I am in a 1st Class train carriage impersonating someone posh and completely spoiled the effect by spluttering into my free cup of tea. Gimlet eyed man opposite closed his eyes so as not to have to suffer me anymore.

pompa

You do make me smile.

I remember having nylon sheets years ago and the b things felt like sleeping in a Velcro bag. THEN. I shaved my legs and found it was me not the sheets. No, my name is Mary

One fart and I'd be on the floor. Priceless.

I realise now that this is an old thread revived by someone who is obviously trying to sell us silk sheets.

pompa you are naughty, that sales person will be very cross with you!

Rose quartz

Ha, I hadn't noticed it was an old thread. [nevermindemoticon]

I'm pleased I have managed to bring the odd smile to some of you, even if there were a few tea stains involved.
Oddly, whilst driving to our daughters today, I remembered those nylon sheets in the 70's, Brentford Nylons if I remember correctly, blooming awful. Also nylon shirts, even worse.

Brushed nylon sheets!

I remember Brentford Nylons.

Those sheets seemed alright at the time! Was it just down to being young?

Perhaps, when you were younger, the quality of the sheets was the last thing on your mind.

Oh how I remember Brentford Nylons! My mother was obsessed by how easily the sheets washed and dried and best of all.....no ironing! She had the brushed ones that your toenails or hard skin got caught on, and also the plain nylon which caused you to slide about the bed in your nylon nightie. It's a wonder the friction didn't cause us to combust! Fortunately I was only a visitor by then so only had to put up with them occasionally.

Didn't Alan Freeman do the tv ad for Brentford Nylons? I vaguely remember that...

Omg.....you can still buy them!

www.celic.co.uk