To ask for your tips at softening sctratchy bedsheets?

[Montagu90]

DH and I treated ourselves to new sheets (naice ones) from JL. High thread count and cost too much.

Both knackered when we got in yesterday so just chucked them on and didn't do the normal prewash.

Both admitted this morning the sheets were stiff and scratchy.

I've read up that if you just do the normal wash, the fabric softener locks in the chemicals and to wash them first with baking soda and vinegar

Mostly American websites and never heard of this! So before I strip the bed and make my move...any suggestions?

And whoops for the typo in title!

Honestly, I would just complain to John Lewis. They're normally very good about stuff like that and will probably refund.

Wash them without fabric softener?

Yeah, I normally would but this is the first set we've found that we both like (and matches redecorated bedroom colours) so i'd rather try softening first and if not, will absolutely take them back 👍🏻

just wash them as normal.
don't go back to the seller, the pack probably says wash before use.

Just wash them! Of course they’ll be scratchy, there are all sorts of chemicals on them to make them look straight and perfect for the shop shelves.

These threads reappear all the time and people are in two camps: ones who wash new bedding before using it and the ones who are wrong

Wash with 1/2 cup bicarbonate soda, rinse with 1/2 cup cheap vinegar and rinse well with plenty of water.

Also, lower the rpm of your final spin. Allow to airdry on the line if possible.

Never use fabric conditioner. It’s nasty stuff. Bicarb, vinegar and a lower rpm on all sheets, towels etc.

Repeat if necessary but you should be right.

Thank you all! And yes, we usually wash them but sadly thought we knew better this time!

Regarding the bicarbonate and vinegar method-presumably this isn't in the washing machine? Sorry, idiot guide required!

Bicarbonate of Soda is fine in the washing machine. Vinegar in the softener drawer. It won't make them smell of vinegar, I promise, as it will all be rinsed out at the end.

Those ingredients stress good softeners and also brighteners. Bung them in the machine.

Idiot guide:

Sheets into washing machine.
Cup of Bicarb in washing powder section of drawer.
Fill the fabric softener bit of drawer with white/distilled vinegar.
Run on any wash up to temp dictated by sheet labels.
Spin on 1200rpm or less.
Tumble dry on low for softest, otherwise line dry. Don't tumble on high as it'll leave you with crazy creases.
Get them out of the tumble dryer as soon as they're dry (or 90% dry and finish hanging flat on line/bannisters).
Iron if desired.

Thanks so much!!

I will give it a go this afternoon..,I'm amazed they won't need a second wash after to remove the smell but I take your word for it!

Thanks again