How to Soften Egyptian Cotton Sheets? Steps & Methods

Here are some steps and methods you can take to ensure your Egyptian cotton sheets feel like silk against your skin.

The most opulent option in the bedding industry is generally agreed to be Egyptian cotton sheets. The sheets are, however, most likely at their softest after a few washes, as even the most ardent fan of Egyptian cotton has probably noticed. That’s because recently bought sheets are frequently a little stiffer.

Here, we discuss a few tried-and-true, simple methods for softening your Egyptian cotton sheets beyond their current state. Read on for more.

How to Soften Egyptian Cotton Sheets?

If your new Egyptian cotton sheets initially feel a little stiff or scratchy, do not worry; this will pass after a few times of washing and by using the advice provided below.

You should wash your new Egyptian cotton sheets separately from your other laundry in the washing machine. Use only half as much detergent for laundry as you normally would for a full load.

Your sheets will be thoroughly cleaned with only half the usual amount of detergent, which will also lessen the harm the cleaning agents in the detergent caused to the Egyptian cotton fibers. Utilize no fabric softener.

Further Reading:

• When to Add Fabric Softener to Your Laundry?
• How to Get Fabric Softener Stains Out of Clothes?
• What Does Fabric Softener Do? Do You Really Need It?

Sheets should be gently cycled through a cold water wash. Your cotton sheets’ risk of shrinking will be decreased as a result. To avoid creasing, take your sheets out of the washer right away.

Put them in your dryer on the lowest setting; be careful not to overheat them or they might shrink. You can also choose to line-dry them, which is what we advise. Avoid using fabric sheets.

To assist in washing out any extra detergent, we advise using an additional rinse cycle. One sheet at a time washing is also beneficial for the rinse cycles and preventing overloading of your washing machine.

When your sheets are just slightly damp, take them out of the dryer. You can either put the sheets on your bed or iron them using the low setting on your iron. Just make sure they’re “slightly” damp.

No matter how white your sheets are, avoid using bleach. The natural cotton fibers in your sheets can be harmed by bleach. The more you wash, dry, and iron your brand-new Egyptian cotton sheets, the softer they will become.

Further Reading:

• Percale Vs Egyptian Cotton: How to Choose?
• What Makes Egyptian Cotton Special?
• Is Egyptian Cotton Good?

Other Methods to Soften Egyptian Cotton Sheets

Baking Soda Softener

Your Egyptian cotton sheets have been washed in the machine with the recommended detergent, right? Try using baking soda for this purpose if you are dissatisfied with the level of comfort and softness it provides.

Baking soda can be used to wash sheets in the washing machine in place of detergent during a typical wash cycle. Cotton sheets can be made softer than before by using soda to remove manufacturing chemicals that have become embedded in the fabric.

A tablespoon of baking soda and a cup of white vinegar added during the rinsing cycle are all that is needed to treat the problem. Though warm water is more suitable for washing purposes, it is a good idea to set the setting to “cold water” when you begin the rinse process.

After thoroughly rinsing the sheets with baking soda and line-drying them, use detergent to clean and dry them as usual.

Further Reading: How to Care for Egyptian Cotton Sheets?

Launder Out the Chemicals

If using baking soda seems like too many steps, wash the new sheets with half as much regular detergent in cold water on a gentle cycle to prevent shrinkage. Extra detergent is eliminated by running a second rinse cycle. After washing, dry the sheets on a low heat setting, taking them out when they are just damp.

They may also be dried on a line. You could even iron them. If the sheets are for a queen-size bed or larger, you might want to wash them in two separate loads to give them enough room to clean thoroughly.

It is easy to soften different types of fabrics if you read our Fabric Soften Guide first.

Clamp Down on Creases

Particularly when they are brand-new, Egyptian cotton sheets are prone to creases and wrinkles. The sheets’ wrinkle and crease count can be reduced by taking them out of the washer right away. Shaking the sheets out before putting them in the dryer also helps.

To prevent creasing, take the sheets out of the dryer when they are just slightly damp and let them air dry; otherwise, fold them and iron them gently. The sheets will be less prone to this creasing after being used and washed numerous times.

Drying Egyptian Cotton

The softness of your Egyptian cotton can be maintained for many years by following the proper drying procedures. We advise selecting a low, gentle spin setting as high agitator levels can harm Egyptian cotton sheets. The likelihood of your bedding shrinking in the washer is also decreased by doing this.

Although wool dryer balls provide a secure substitute for dryer sheets, which can harm natural fibers like Egyptian cotton, we don’t advise using them on Egyptian cotton due to the chemicals they contain.

Of course, the best option for keeping your sheets smooth and soft for years to come is to hang them to dry on the line if you have the time and desire to do so.

How to Lengthen the Life Spans of Egyptian Cotton Sheets?

Egyptian cotton sheets typically last longer than their other cousins, possibly as a result of the type of fiber used in their production. You must make sure that these sheets stay soft and sturdy for years to come now that you have made the decision to invest in them.

It is a good idea to completely avoid using bleach if you have been using it to make them appear whiter than before. It’s important to keep in mind that chemical-based whiteners and softeners tend to harm the materials of these sheets severely and are not at all advised for Egyptian cotton.

It is best to use only mild, high-quality detergents to prevent any deterioration over time. To prevent any unwanted shrinkage of the fabric, keep in mind to use moderate dryer and water temperatures.

Conclusion: Soften Egyptian Cotton Sheets

When the bedding is brand new, Egyptian-grown cotton sheets have a slightly harder hand or feel than other kinds of cotton. The Egyptian cotton sheets, on the other hand, get softer and softer after every single wash.

Purchase laundry detergents that are designed to brighten whites without the use of bleach. For constant assurance of high quality, you might want to buy your laundry detergent from well-known specialty shops.

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