To replace our bedding with 100% cotton

[cadburyegg]

We bought new bedding from ikea a couple of weeks ago and put it on this week. I don’t like the feel of it and I just looked at it says 50% cotton 50% lytocell.

I just hate it! Ugh I hate the feel of it and it’s all scratchy and hard. I really want to replace it with 100% cotton. My dh can’t understand what my problem is and thinks I’m being ridiculous and wasteful. AIBU?

Lyocell is not a synthetic fibre but it is what used to be known as a “man-made fibre”, meaning that it is artificially made from natural cellulosic fibres, in this case, wood pulp.

The manufacturing process gives a fibre with a smoother and finer profile, which in some cases (viscose rayon) was originally made as an alternative to silk.

It tends to feel harder than cotton when wet but dries to a softer, smoother fabric, thought it tends to crease more than cotton.

(PhD textile chemist here, though my subject was wool!).

I find Habitat bedding the softest and best quality of the high-street brands.

I'd agree- I have a couple of habitat set that are 25 years old and lovely and soft.
I only buy 100% cotton or linen bedding. Though a friend tells me merino bedding is amazing!

If you wash it you can't take it back? I don't wash stuff before using either. Terrible slatteren that I am!

100% cotton is great in that it can stand up to being boil washed a million times and is still as good as new. I don't have a anything else. Yes, it looks crumpled but it's worth it for a healthy nights sleep. You can put a throw over your bed if your bothered about that.

Never wash bedding before using it .....i don't wash new towels first either!

Op if you have used the bedding then obviously it can't go back. Try it one more time...if you still hate it maybe it could 'fall apart' due to some 'manufacturing defect' - would your OH actually check to see if you got a refund or just accept new bedding?

Yanbu. Cotton sheets are the best.

Buy from Aldi next time, their 400 thread count is great (and cheap)

Get some Egyptian cotton sheets, minimum 600TC. John Lewis have reasonably priced ones. They are amazing!
A pita to iron though.
I find cotton percale duvet sets the best for a comfy night's sleep.

I used to buy the cotton/polyester standard stuff but would never go back to it now.

Those of you with 100% cotton sheets though, don’t they look really crumpled all the time? I’m assuming nobody except my mum irons their sheets. So how do you keep them looking decent?

Who cares ? Why on earth does it matter? My bedroom’s not featuring in a magazine.

OP, if you feel this material isn’t suitable for bedding you should take it back and say so.

Sorry, should have said min 400TC.

It has never occurred to me to me to wash new bedding before using it. I’m asthmatic and have (mild) eczema but have never had a rash from new bedding or noticed any smell.

What’s the rationale for washing it?

Definitely not wasteful to have high quality, cotton bedding.

I’m just left wondering if I’ve misunderstood the term synthetic all these years.

YABU for putting unwashed bedding on your bed!

Do try to wash them before get rid of them, it might make a difference. The pack is open anyway now, but people buy second hand bedsheets so you could always get rid of if you really hate them after a couple of wash.
Yanbu to want to be comfy at night.

I don't like fabric conditioner on my bedding at all, I prefer a fresh smell.

I’m just left wondering if I’ve misunderstood the term synthetic all these years.
I suppose you might assume a man made fibre is synthetic, but that’s not necessarily the case as someone has mentioned.
Things like polyester, acrylic, fleece (essentially basically plastics as I understand) are truly synthetic.

Why would IKea fans opened sheets back?

Take not fans ffs!

i never wash new sheets, or knickers, or pyjamas or anything - just put them on the bed/wear them

Where is the best online place to buy good quality but affordable 100% cotton bedding? There was a thread here once and someone paid £300 for a set, my budget is about £50.

yanbu
cotton bedding is the best.

and at people not washing it before first use.
fabrics are treated to make it easier to handle for sewing. they are handled many many times for manufacturing. treated with pesticides and funghizides (or fabrics would arrive moth eaten and mouldy after months in a shipping container). plus shop floors are filthy.

Tkmaxx and homesense do brilliant cotton bedding for a reasonable price. Easily get some for £50. Du elm mill in the sales too.

@evaperonspoodle I use (and recommend) Linen Bundle. The quality is really something special. They have a winter sale offer of 20% off, until, tomorrow I think, meaning you could get a duvet cover + 2 pillowcases set (normally £75) for £60, not far off your budget.

Nearly all bedding will say ‘wash before use’ on the packaging due to the chemicals used in production. Do people not read the packaging?

I've never had 100% cotton - crease too much and I wouldn't want to iron them. They feel nice at hotels etc but it's not a big difference to me.

I got some fab 1000 count sets from King of Cotton about 10 years ago and they still look and feel amazing. Even my ex-husband could tell the difference!

I'd rather go mad once a decade than replace annually from IKEA/similar.

As for ironing - I don't, but as long as you tumble dry and fold well there's not much need for it - unless you're s tickler of course.

Washing it could make a considerable difference.
Last Christmas I bought an (admittedly very cheap) double Santa duvet cover for the bed little Gdcs were going to share.

It was 50/50 cotton/poly, and felt horribly stiff and hard at first.
I washed it twice - there was a huge improvement.

Wash before use - it isn't just starch on the fabric but insect repellent to stop fabrics being attacked by insects in storage both before and after it is manufactured into bedding.

Plus lol at those who would wash it and then put fabric conditioner on it. Stops the bedding from being able to absorb sweat just as it stops bath towels from drying you properly. It is like lying all night in a pure synthetic fabric.