OT - 800 count sheets - not happy with purchase. Can I soften them?

[pantherlj]

OK, 800 count sheets aren't "budget" related but I did get a good deal on them!

We just got a new mattress so I had to get new sheets.

I got some Kohl's 600 count sheets on sales (60% off and then 30% off that, so there is the budget connection LOL) and we LOVE them, so soft! I wanted a 2nd set of sheets for back up and a color change.

They had a 50% off sale and I again had a 30% coupon so got their 800 count sheets because of a color I wanted.

They felt soft in the package but after washing them and getting them on the bed, I hate them! They are stiff - not nearly as soft.

Any way to soften them up?

 

[Gigi22]

I am no expert on sheets, but I do recall that when I line dried my sheets the texture was better than when I put them in the dryer.
Unfortunately, you will have to wait for some warm weather to try this out!
Hope it works for you.

 

[hemispheredancer]

I have some high thread count sheets and they were stiff and "crinkly loud" when under them. They have softened up with use and washing. Try some liquid fabric softener. I think that may have helped mine.

 

[Jenn4615]

take them back! My friend bought sheets at kohls...hated them cause they wrinkled bad after she washed them... they took them back no questions asked!

 

[pantherlj]

I am no expert on sheets, but I do recall that when I line dried my sheets the texture was better than when I put them in the dryer.
Unfortunately, you will have to wait for some warm weather to try this out!
Hope it works for you.

Ha!!! We had a snow storm here in NC - very rare for us. Normally, I could find a window within a week or two even in winter to line dry here if I needed to but not now LOL

25 today and maybe 34 tomorrow

 

[pantherlj]

take them back! My friend bought sheets at kohls...hated them cause they wrinkled bad after she washed them... they took them back no questions asked!

Wow, really? I know kohls is great with returns but I would feel weird taking back sheets I have washed.

However, it is $50 for something I assumed was better quality .....

 

[neatokimmo]

My higher thread count sheets are much thicker than the cheap ones (makes sense, more threads per inch).

I'd say it took 2-3 months of washing them weekly on hot to shrink them down and soften them up. I use regular bounce sheets.

 

[Jenn4615]

Wow, really? I know kohls is great with returns but I would feel weird taking back sheets I have washed.

However, it is $50 for something I assumed was better quality .....

I was with her! I was sure they would laugh at her... But they didnt! 50 bucks is 50 bucks!!

 

[mickeymaker2003]

Try repeated washings (or just getting them wet and spinning them out) and putting them in the dryer with clean tennis balls. That should help speed up the process. They should soften with use.

 

[camlace]

funny, I LOVE higher count sheets because they are stiffer I get new ones when they get too soft...so sorry I can't help!

 

[pantherlj]

funny, I LOVE higher count sheets because they are stiffer I get new ones when they get too soft...so sorry I can't help!

LOL, you can help - you can send me your old sheets after you get them nice and broken in LOL

 

[deerhart]

did you check the type of fabric that is used.

I have 400 count Egyptian cotton sheets that are unbelievably soft, I then purchased 600 count non-Egyptian cotton sheets and they are much stiffer not as soft.

 

[littlele]

There is alot of info out there regarding thread counts on sheets, the biggest point being that a higher thread count does not necessarily equate to a softer, or higher quality sheet. So, unfortunately, these sheets that you are disliking may not get any better.

I wish I had known this before buying a 600 thread count for DD new bed a year ago.

If you're interesting in learning more about thread counts and what they really mean:

http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/decorating/thread-count.htm

 

[mantaz]

LOL, you can help - you can send me your old sheets after you get them nice and broken in LOL

LOL, I was thinking the same thing! What size are they, I could use king!

 

[Rosiekins]

Higher Thread count sheets are not infact softer, it is a myth. I can't remember the high limit for the softest it is either 400 or 600. But they will last much longer! Try washing them with extra fabric softener and a little vinegar then steam iron them after they are dry, that should help a little anyway.

 

[deerhart]

its thread count for durability and type of material for softness.

My egyptian cotton 400 count sheets have lasted us almost 10 years. I have only had to darn once but need to do it again.

 

[Diabolicdesire]

I have found that lower thread count "Egyptian Cotton" sheets are usually softer than higher thread count sheets that are not Egyptian cotton. I guess it's all what you prefer though.

 

[littlele]

Thread count has actually very little to do with either softness or durability.

Any count above 400 has been found to actually been inaccurate, since you can not physically fit more than that into one square inch. Those that state this are not actually counting threads, but rather fibers, which is another thing altogether. BB&Beyond lost a lawsuit regarding this, but I am not sure why others have not been held accountable yet.

Morale of the story? Go with what has a good hand to begin with and a brand name you can trust. And then hope and pray that you got a good set

 

[ceecee]

I got a set of Eqytian cotton 800 count sheets and after a few washings they were really soft. They do wrinkle though.

 

[mareed]

I'll echo what others have said about purchasing Egyptian cotton. I finally invested quite a bit in 2 very nice sheet sets from the Hotel collections from Macy's because I got tired of purchasing high thread-count sheets and finding that they still weren't soft! I think mine are 600 thread count Egyptian cotton in the Hotel collection, but they are pricey!