How to Soften Flannel Sheets

Flannel is commonly associated with a plaid design.

Many homeowners keep several common and inexpensive items on hand that can soften flannel sheets fast without damaging the fabric. Flannel sheets provide a warm and cozy cocoon around you during those cold winter nights, but they can become scratchy after several years of use while new flannel sheets have a crisp hardness to them that require breaking them in.

Things You'll Need

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup laundry detergent
• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 cup table salt

Instructions

1. Pour 1 cup of baking soda directly in the water-filled washing machine drum. Mix the baking soda and water together with your hand. Add 1/4 cup of laundry detergent, and launder the flannel sheets as you normally would.

2. Wash the hard flannel sheets as normal, except add 1 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. Vinegar softens the flannel and removes any unpleasant odors. Dry the flannel sheets as usual.

3. Launder the flannel sheets on a normal cycle with cold water. Add 1/4 cup of laundry detergent and 1/2 cup of table salt to the water before submerging the sheets in the washing machine. Allow the appliance to finish, and then immediately dry the flannel as you normally would.

Tips & Warnings

• Commercial fabric softener helps soften all types of fabric, including flannel bed sheets.

References

• Re-Nest; Soften Sheets With Baking Soda; July 2009
• Pooters: Softening Your Diapers the Natural Way
• Homemade Dessert Recipes: Grandma's Household Tips for Laundry