Does anyone know how to soften new bedding? I have just spent a fortune on new, Egyptian cotton sheets thinking they would be cool and soft on my sensitive and over heated (hot flushes!!) skin!! I was disappointed to find that they are really rough and scratchy. It seems to be really difficult to buy good quality, soft bedding these days. Any suggestions would be really appreciated
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.
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
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.
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!
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 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 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
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 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.
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 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!
I confess that it is only recently that I stopped ironing dusters. I do iron tea towels, not least because they stack in the drawer more easily and it sort of sterilizes them. I iron my Egyptian cotton sheets – fitted sheets with a pleated valance on the double beds – duvet covers and pillowcases. I used to have someone who did my ironing for me, but then I moved to another part of the country. I tend to do the ironing first thing in the morning. I get up quite early and don't want to disturb Mr absent who doesn't open his eyes until 7.30 or even 8 o'clock. I watch the news and iron at the same time.
I agree dizzy there is no way I can not have the bed linen ironed but I have a man to do mine. He doesn't charge I just have to sleep with him now and again.
If I ever win the lottery, my luxury would be to have freshly ironed sheets every day. A girl can dream. I am lucky enough to have a wonderful ironing lady, she costs me £13 per week and is worth every penny but I draw the line at changing sheets every day.
Have now finished the ironing I'd been putting off for ages. NOT tea towels. they get chucked into the washing machine after only a couple of uses, so it's hardly worth ironing them and anyway who's going to see them?