can this bedding be softened?

[TheHappinessTrap]

I bought some 200 thread count bedding from John Lewes. It is so rough to the feel. Any suggestions for softening it? I washed it on 30. I suppose I could blast it on a really hot wash but it is s vibrant colour and I'd hate to lose that.

Just a drop of fabric conditioner?
If you have a tumble dryer, try that.

Use washing soda crystals when you wash it. Presumably it is pure cotton so will be happy with a hot wash and persil.

How did you dry it?

Thanks for tips. I don't have a tumble dryer. They are 100% cotton. I used fabric softener. Will try the hot wash and look into soda crystals!

Washing line, then.

washed towels on very hot, using soda with vinegar in softner drawer. Hung on line on very windy, sunny day result still scratchy towels. Two towelling nappies over thirty years old usually washed with towels when needed still as soft as day they were bought. This says to me the fabric must be different in some way although the labels all say 100% cotton.

towels are always scratchy when dried on the line.

OP I'd be washing it on a high wash but without a tumble dryer I'm struggling to come up with any other suggestions. Could you take it to a launderette and get it tumble dried once to see if that softens it up?