New John Lewis duvet cover is so rough!

[BakedBeeeen]

How can I soften a new John Lewis 100% cotton duvet cover set? It has been washed once, and the fibres feel so rough. I ironed it to see if that would smooth it out a bit, but it didn’t really work much.
It was washed at 40 degrees with my usual fabric conditioner.
Please help!

This is the set:
www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-stripe-duvet-cover-set/pistachio-multi/p112537422

Fwiw TK Maxx usually have duvet covers for around £30 for a 200-220 thread count. £40-45 for a higher TC.

Online e.g. this stripey green number in cotton sateen:
https://www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/home/bed+bath/bedding/bed-linen/bedding-sets/double-green+white-margate-stripe-duvet-cover-set-200tc/p/60289866

But I can usually find higher quality in their physical shops. Same for fitted sheets.

My favourite duvet cover was a really cheap one from Tesco. It just got softer and softer and finally died last year after over 15 years of service.

It’s from their cheaper everyday range so it’s priced competitively against cheaper stores

You got exactly what you paid for and that’s that really

Pay more for better quality

Thank you! I have been looking at a wool one from Baavet but can't quite commit

I want the crisp of down but really like the idea of the longevity and temperature control of wool.
I nearly went non washable but you've convinced me otherwise I think. I do have a cat ..

I had discounted the wool room because of their cs reviews. did you have an ok experience with them?

Baavets are AMAZING. I have 2, for different times of the year.

The problem with the cheaper wool duvets is that they have polyester interlining in them. It doesn't feel the same at all.

It's this. The low thread count. Try 60 degree wash and the dryer.

I think they are designed to have a top sheet as well - they don’t need to be smooth if there is another layer so JL can reduce quality in favour of price.

I'd email John Lewis, especially as the reviews are saying it's fine. You may have got one from a particularly bad batch.

www.johnlewis.com/customer-services/contact-us?q=Product+not+as+described&dt=problemsWithProduct-other

Yes, definitely go back to JL. The quality of their customer service isn't reliably what it was but can still be surprisingly good sometimes. Worth a polite conversation at least.

Can you use a flat sheet underneath it which is softer? I got some cheap duvet sets from Dunelm for DD and they are surprisingly rough, but she doesn't seem to mind.

Take it back and swap it for cotton sateen.

I prefer brushed cotton for this reason and usually in sales at the end of winter. I have to have 100% cotton. I do have a rather expensive pure cotton cath kidston one too from years back that I thought I was treating myself with when I moved house but rarely use it, although it looks pretty I don't like the feel of it🤷

OP, they do get softer with washing, and I think your idea of tumbling with balls is a good one. If the pillow cases are rough, you could always spray them with spray starch before ironing - it makes them smooth rather than stiff.

I agree with others, unfortunately it’s a low thread count and their ‘basics’ range so not the premium product you might hope for.

i looooooooove nice bedding. Dusk are my go to for hotel style thick, smooth 100%cotton. I buy a set from them most years on Black Friday (not because older dusk ones need replacing, just because I’m building up a lovely high quality stash for all the beds in the house!)
they have a summer sale on at the moment with some great prices for anyone who’s looking.

and for those chatting about duvets and pillows, I have down feel pillows from King Of Cotton after sleeping on them in a hotel and checking the label, they are glorious

Where do people stand on linen duvet covers? They look like they should be lovely and soft but I've never seen one IRL.

To be fair, the thread count is very low did you check that out on the spec?
It's under 200.

200 is really the absolute minimum for any kind of softness and you'd pay a fortune for a 800 thread count. (around £175 for a double duvet cover.)

If you hadn't washed it you could return, but your only hope now is it may soften with washing.

I never stand on a duvet cover :)

I don’t see how it’s John Lewis’ fault. It’s their basics range and the thread count is low. You do get what you pay for and I’m afraid £45 for a massive duvet cover is not a lot if you want soft and durable. Their premium stuff with higher thread count is much more expensive

Take it back and tell them it's not fit for purpose, it's too rough to be suitable as bedlinen. JL are really good like that, they will refund you, no arguments.

I would take that back.

I bought a 100% cotton fitted sheet from Tesco because I thought it was an absolute bargain at £14. It was like sleeping on a brillo pad. After half a dozen washes it was fine and I can't tell much difference now.

Yes, absolutely fine.

Drying information say Tumble dry on high temperature.

It depends on the linen. I’ve tried to love two linen duvet covers, from different brands, and can’t get on with them and DH hates them. I’m not sure I’m washing them correctly but they are stiff and rough. Beautiful to look at though.