As you climb into bed after a hectic day, or possibly a not-so-bad one for that matter, one of the last things you want is scratchy sheets cleaning up against your body. Soft sheets not only allow you to fall asleep previously, but also allow you to stay asleep — and they may even last longer. The method you decide to turn scratchy, irritating sheets to shiny, soothing ones depends upon the reason for the coarseness or rough texture.
A Bitter Pill
The looser the sheet fibers, the more inclined they are to unravel and begin to form small balls called pills, describes the Maytag Commercial Laundry website. Pilling grows using wear on certain fabrics, like sheets containing cotton or polyester. However, the pills — or scratchy little nubs — worsen as you move around throughout the night. You can use a tablet shaver to remove pills from fabric, but with something as large as sheets, it is a tedious procedure. Lint in the laundering procedure can become intertwined with pilling, although a properly operating washer and dryer should eliminate a lot of them, sending them down the drain or to the lint trap.
Are the Extensions in Fault?
When you’re not certain if pilling is due to faulty or poorly working appliances, take a good look. Check your washing machine’s water lines are not kinked, and that the drain is not confined. Clean out your dryer’s lint trap before or after each load. And possess the appliances serviced by a licensed technician as required.
The Down Low on Detergents
Utilizing more laundry soap or fabric softener than the manufacturer suggests is not likely to get your sheets any cleaner or thicker. In actuality, less could be better. Too much soap may leave a residue that threatens to break down fibers, which in turn can cause pilling. Certain soaps, like the ones with additional odor, can irritate sensitive skin, which frequently ends in a scratchy or prickly sense. As for fabric softeners, they will create your sheets feel soft for weekends, but over time they could make some substances tighter, describes the FabricLink website — and stiff fabric is scratchy fabric. To sleep simpler, go easy on detergents and other laundry additives and also elect for unscented products.
The Price of Softness
Rough, scratchy or stiff sheets may be only that: tough, scratchy or stiff. Occasionally that “lot” on sheets is not so good in the long run. High-thread-count sheets made from quality linen or cotton cut-off pilling and so are the epitome of luxury and softness in the bedding planet. You do not have to devote your life savings, but set a reasonable cost on quality sheets and quality sleep.