How To Soften Stiff New Sheets: 13 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Soften Stiff New Sheets PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Ocean Van

Last Updated: March 10, 2025 Approved

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  • Using Baking Soda and Vinegar
    • |
  • Using Other Substances
    • |
  • Expert Interview
    • |
  • Expert Q&A
    • |
  • Things You'll Need
|Show more |Show less X

This article was co-authored by Ocean Van. Ocean Van is a Laundry & Dry Cleaning Expert based in Long Beach, California. He is the owner and operator of Coco Laundry, a full-service Laundromat and Wash & Fold service. Coco Laundry is a family-owned laundry service that offers top-rated wash, dry, fold, and convenient pickup/delivery options. He and his experienced team of laundry professionals offer commercial and residential laundry services, plus a self-serve laundry operation. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 386,370 times.

There's nothing worse than stiff, scratchy sheets which ruin your night's sleep. This often happens with new sheets, where the stiffness is caused by chemical residues left over from the manufacturing process. Luckily there are several easy ways of softening your sheets, so you can have a luxuriously comfortable night's sleep! Start with Step 1 below to find out more.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 2:

Using Baking Soda and Vinegar

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  1. Step 1 Place the sheets in the washing machine. 1 Place the sheets in the washing machine. After removing your new sheets from their packaging, place them directly into the washing machine.
    • If they are queen size or larger, you may want to wash the top and bottom sheets separately to give them enough room in the machine.
  2. Step 2 Add one cup of baking soda. 2 Add one cup of baking soda. Instead of your normal laundry detergent, add one cup of baking soda to the machine.
    • It's important to omit the detergent, as it tends to lock chemicals into the sheets. These chemicals contribute to the stiffness of the sheets, so it's better to remove them.
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  3. Step 3 Wash on a regular cycle. 3 Wash on a regular cycle. Set the machine to a regular cycle using warm water, and turn the washer on.
  4. Step 4 Add a cup of vinegar during the rinse cycle. 4 Add a cup of vinegar during the rinse cycle. When it's time for the rinse cycle, turn the temperature of the machine to cold and add a cup of white vinegar.
    • This will help to soften the sheets further, but is completely optional. The baking soda will work on its own.[1]
  5. Step 5 Line dry the sheets. 5 Line dry the sheets. When the rinse cycle is finished, remove the sheets from the machine and hang outside to dry in the sun.
    • This will help to soften them further. If you don't have space to dry them outside, place in the dryer and dry on a low setting - drying at too high a temperature can cause shrinkage.
  6. Step 6 Wash again. 6 Wash again. Once the sheets are dry, you can wash them a second time using the regular amount of detergent.
    • Although washing them twice sounds like a lot of work, it really helps to soften the sheets.
    • Dry outside or in the dryer, then iron them (if you like) and place them directly on the bed.
  7. Step 7 Remember that your sheets will become softer every time you wash them. 7 Remember that your sheets will become softer every time you wash them. Good quality sheets will become softer after every washing, drying and ironing cycle.
    • For ultimate softness (and durability) buy good quality cotton sheets with a high thread count.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 2:

Using Other Substances

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  1. Step 1 Use fabric softener. 1 Use fabric softener. In addition to a cup of baking soda, you can add the recommended amount of your favorite fabric softener to the machine when you wash your new sheets. This provides extremely soft sheets. Alternatively, you can just use the softener on its own.[2] [3]
  2. Step 2 Use turpentine. 2 Use turpentine. Add half a cup of turpentine to the washing water with the sheets and wash on a regular cycle using warm water.
    • Rinse thoroughly to remove most of the turpentine. Hang the sheets outside or on a clothes horse to dry.
    • It is very important that you do not put the sheets in the dryer after washing with turpentine as turpentine is combustible and could cause a fire.
  3. Step 3 Use Epsom salts. 3 Use Epsom salts. Fill a laundry tub with cold water and add 50g of Epsom salts. Stir the sheets around in the tub for two minutes (use a wooden spoon if you don't want your hands to get cold!)
    • Leave the sheets to soak overnight in the Epsom salts mixture. The following morning, rinse the sheets out thoroughly, then hang them outside to dry.[4]
  4. Step 4 Use borax. 4 Use borax. Fill a laundry tub with cold water and add 6 tablespoons (88.7 ml) of borax to the tub.
    • Add the sheets to the water, stir them around and leave them to soak overnight.
    • Rinse thoroughly the next morning and hang outside to dry.
  5. Step 5 Use salt. 5 Use salt. Fill a laundry tub with cold water and throw in 2 handfuls of salt. Add the sheets and leave them to soak overnight. Wash, rinse, and dry as usual.
  6. Step 6 Finished. 6 Finished.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question Are there any other ways to soften sheets? Ocean Van Ocean Van Laundry & Dry Cleaning Expert Ocean Van is a Laundry & Dry Cleaning Expert based in Long Beach, California. He is the owner and operator of Coco Laundry, a full-service Laundromat and Wash & Fold service. Coco Laundry is a family-owned laundry service that offers top-rated wash, dry, fold, and convenient pickup/delivery options. He and his experienced team of laundry professionals offer commercial and residential laundry services, plus a self-serve laundry operation. Ocean Van Ocean Van Laundry & Dry Cleaning Expert Expert Answer Another method for softening stiff sheets is to incorporate fabric softener sheets into the drying process. Begin by placing the stiff sheets in the dryer. Add a few fabric softener sheets, depending on the size of the load. The softening agents in the sheets work to relax the fibers of the fabric during the drying cycle. Adjust the dryer settings to a moderate heat level, as excessive heat can contribute to stiffness. Start the drying cycle, allowing the fabric softener sheets to distribute their conditioning agents evenly throughout the sheets. Once the drying cycle is complete, remove the sheets promptly to prevent wrinkles from setting in. The fabric softener sheets will have worked to loosen the fibers, leaving you with noticeably softer and more pliable sheets. This method not only softens the sheets but also imparts a subtle fragrance for added freshness. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
  • Question Couldn't I save time by adding the baking soda and vinegar both at the beginning? Community Answer Community Answer No. If you remember the ingredients of the volcano experiment you probably did as a kid, you'll know that mixing baking soda and vinegar causes carbon dioxide to form. By adding the baking soda then rinsing it, it reduces the tendency for the combination to bubble over. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 8 Helpful 20
  • Question Can I buy baking soda in the UK? Community Answer Community Answer Yes. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 4
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Tips

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Things You'll Need

  • Baking soda
  • White vinegar
  • Fabric softener
  • Turpentine
  • Epsom salts
  • Borax
  • Salt
  • Stiff sheets

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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about laundry, check out our in-depth interview with Ocean Van.

References

  1. ↑ https://www.weekand.com/home-garden/article/soften-new-egyptian-cotton-sheets-18032764.php
  2. ↑ Ocean Van. Laundry & Dry Cleaning Expert. Expert Interview
  3. ↑ https://lifehacker.com/ingredients-for-turning-stiff-new-sheets-soft-400520
  4. ↑ https://houstonmattressdiscounters.wordpress.com/2014/01/14/how-to-soften-new-stiff-sheets-for-your-mattress/

About This Article

Ocean Van Co-authored by: Ocean Van Laundry & Dry Cleaning Expert This article was co-authored by Ocean Van. Ocean Van is a Laundry & Dry Cleaning Expert based in Long Beach, California. He is the owner and operator of Coco Laundry, a full-service Laundromat and Wash & Fold service. Coco Laundry is a family-owned laundry service that offers top-rated wash, dry, fold, and convenient pickup/delivery options. He and his experienced team of laundry professionals offer commercial and residential laundry services, plus a self-serve laundry operation. This article has been viewed 386,370 times. 1 votes - 100% Co-authors: 14 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 386,370 Categories: Featured Articles | Bed Sheets Article SummaryX

If you want to soften a stiff set of new sheets, place them in the washing machine and add 1 cup of baking soda in place of your regular detergent. Wash the sheets on a regular cycle with warm water. When it’s time for the rinse cycle, turn the temperature to cold and add 1 cup of white vinegar to the machine. Once the washing machine has finished, remove the sheets and hang them outside to dry, or put them in the dryer on low heat. If the sheets are still stiff, wash them again with regular detergent. Read on to learn how you can use turpentine or Epsom salts to soften your sheets! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • JIm Stabile

    JIm Stabile

    Dec 16, 2017

    "Wow! So many tips, but wish you had perhaps become specific of the best remedy by cotton count. I'll stick..." more
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Ocean Van Co-authored by: Ocean Van Laundry & Dry Cleaning Expert Co-authors: 14 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 386,370 100% of readers found this article helpful. 1 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote JIm Stabile

JIm Stabile

Dec 16, 2017

"Wow! So many tips, but wish you had perhaps become specific of the best remedy by cotton count. I'll stick..." more Nikki Kline

Nikki Kline

Jun 26, 2019

"This article is great. I've been a homemaker for 30 years and am just now hearing about this remedy. I'll..." more Chari88a

Chari88a

Jun 2, 2018

"I've used this method for two years on new bed sheets, towels and new clothes. Now you can feel comfortable in..." more Christine Ruscoe

Christine Ruscoe

May 27, 2017

"I've not tried it yet but now that I've read this, I will try! There are so many tips on here, thank you..." more Rated this article: Anonymous

Anonymous

Sep 29, 2016

"Did not know baking soda would soften the sheets. Thanks for the tip." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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