How do you care for flannelette sheets?
Flannelette sheets are perfect for cold winter nights, and cold sleepers. They are great as an all-round sheet in cooler climates and perfect for the children’s room.
Simple step by step process to wash flannelette sheets
- Always check the label, in case your flannelettes sheets have extra care requirements.
- Before your first use, put your new flannelette sheets through a gentle machine wash (at 40°C).
- Continue this method for future washes. (Only use warm or cold water.)
- Ensure that you wash darker colours separately.
- For optimal colour retention, and to keep sheets fluffy, use a mild detergent in your machine.
- Do not bleach or boil your flannelette sheets.
- Ensure your washing machine has a good rinse setting to remove all detergent.
- For ultimate wear and colour retention, it’s best to line dry your sheets (in the shade).
- Use an iron if desired. However, on some occasions, you may need to dry faster.
Can flannelette sheets be tumble dried? Or can flannelette sheets go in the dryer?
The short answer is no. All sheets have a longer life when they are left to dry naturally and flannelette sheets are no exception to this. So, if you can avoid using the dryer, do. That being said, some people just need to use the dryer. If this is the case, please only use the dryer on the lowest temperature setting. Too high and you risk damaging the soft fibres in the sheet, which can cause shrinkage.
How to stop flannelette sheets from fluffing?
Fluffing or “pilling” is a common side effect of cosy fabrics. There are a few steps you can take to avoid, or minimise this.
- It’s always best to wash your sheets before first use. This will remove any excess fibres that may be attached to your sheets from the manufacturing process.
- Avoid excessive use of lotions or oils right before going to sleep. (They are another culprit for pilling. )
- To further avoid fluffing, use a gentle wash cycle. (This will agitate your sheets less and result in reduced fluffing. )
- We can’t stress enough that line drying will also help with this.
- Finally, alternating sheet sets will give your flannelette sheets more longevity.
It’s also useful to note that anywhere there is friction to your flannelette sheet will likely cause fluffing or pilling.
How to soften flannelette sheets?
Flannelette sheets will usually soften more over time. If yours are less than soft, here are some tips to bring the softness back.
- Avoid using a fabric softener. The chemicals in fabric softeners will, eventually, lead to stiffness in the fabric.
- Use quality detergents and try reducing the amount you use in the cycle. Like fabric softener, excess detergent can build up in the sheets and take away some of that gorgeous softness.
- Some people have success with a baking soda treatment. Add up to ½ cup of baking soda to your regular detergent to revive your sheets.
- Alternatively, try adding ½ cup of plain white vinegar to the fabric softener compartment of your machine when you wash.
Vinegar is a great all-round softener and the smell usually disappears once your sheets are dry. If you prefer, add a couple of drops of your favourite essential oil in with the vinegar to neutralise the scent a little.
If you choose to use the dryer (again, we advise to line dry wherever possible), use only on the minimum temperature setting and add a couple of drying balls, or clean tennis balls, to the cycle. These will work to soften your sheets.
