Scratchy new bed sheets

[DLgal]

Can anything be done? Bought two sets of bedsheets from Pottery Barn Teen for my boys bunk bed. I've been buying PB sheets for over 9 years. These were on clearance, so super cheap but no returns (final sale). Opened them up last night, washed them, and they are SUPER scratchy. What can I do? They are really nice colors and my boys love the look of them. I don't want to give up on them yet. Is there anything I can add to the wash that might soften them up? They are 200 thread count cotton percale sheets....same as all the others I've bought over the years. Have never had this issue before. The other sheets are butter soft. Help!

 

[Christine]

I've generally never had luck getting that to go away when I get a set of sheets like that. Sometimes TONS of washing and use will help but I can never live through the scratchiness for that to happen.

 

[DLgal]

I've generally never had luck getting that to go away when I get a set of sheets like that. Sometimes TONS of washing and use will help but I can never live through the scratchiness for that to happen.

That's what I was afraid of. Bummer. At least They were cheap ($20/set). Knew that was too good to be true...I'll bet they got a lot of returns and that's why they put them on final sale.

Guess they will go to Goodwill.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Wash them one more time before you give up. I had a set of sheets that I really liked, or I would've given up sooner. It took several washings -- don't think I would be that patient now. We got a free set of sheets when we bought a new mattress set. Those sheets were so scratchy -- even after a couple of washings -- they weren't worth keeping.

Are your boys willing to sleep on the new sheets?

 

[sam_gordon]

Extra fabric softener maybe?

 

[dclpluto]

Save them for a different time of year when the person will be wearing more clothes to bed.

 

[DLgal]

Save them for a different time of year when the person will be wearing more clothes to bed.

It's the pillowcases that I'm most worried about. They hurt my face and my kids have sensitive skin too. We are in southern California , and they sleep in shorts and t-shirts year round.

 

[Imzadi]

It's the pillowcases that I'm most worried about. They hurt my face and my kids have sensitive skin too. We are in southern California , and they sleep in shorts and t-shirts year round.

Pillowcases do not have to match the sheets. Get solid coordinating pillowcases. Maybe put the scratchy ones on accent pillows. Or use them as an extra laundry bag or to store extra toys.

 

[NotUrsula]

The scratchiness is probably due to sizing that was applied to the thread during the manufacturing process. If you have added fabric softener when you laundered them, you probably thickened the coating. There are ways to remove sizing, but it's a bit of work.

Get a tub and make a strong solution of hot salt water (not iodized salt), about 1/2 cup to the gallon. Soak the sheets in it for two days, then wash them in hot water with two cups of white vinegar added. Don't add any fabric softener to the washer or dryer during this process. You may need to repeat the vinegar wash a couple of times, but this is likely to solve the problem if the sheets are 100% cotton. (Once the removal process has ended, you can use fabric softener products again.)

PS: FWIW, I buy our sheets at Tuesday Morning. Nice stuff at really nice prices.

 

[BLAZEY]

Maybe some of the spiked dryer balls while drying would help too.

 

[mom2rb]

Put tennis balls in the washer and rewash the sheets. Sometimes it take a few washes. I had to do this when my son had to have a certain color and they where very awful.

 

[Imzadi]

Put tennis balls in the washer and rewash the sheets. Sometimes it take a few washes. I had to do this when my son had to have a certain color and they where very awful.

I was just thinking this too. Maybe the sheets need to be "beat up" a bit to soften the fibers and any coating.

 

[DLgal]

I did not use any fabric softener. I am washing them with vinegar now. I will throw in some tennis balls when I dry them. If it doesn't work, they are being donated. They weren't expensive enough to justify continued use of water and electricity on multiple washings.

 

[amberpi]

I did not use any fabric softener. I am washing them with vinegar now. I will throw in some tennis balls when I dry them. If it doesn't work, they are being donated. They weren't expensive enough to justify continued use of water and electricity on multiple washings.

I was going to suggest vinegar and borax. Good luck, but man, am I so jealous of your score.

 

[DLgal]

I was going to suggest vinegar and borax. Good luck, but man, am I so jealous of your score.

HA! Don't be jealous. I just spent $79 on Disney Cars sheets from PB Kids as a consolation prize for my youngest. And will likely have to spend another $50 or so on a set for my older son. So, really, I will have ended up spending $46 too much.