We have put together care tips on caring flannel sheet, so you can enjoy them longer.
Keep Your DELANNA Sheets Soft with These Care Tips
Flannel sheets are soft, snugly and the best part of nestling into your bed after a long
day (or staying in bed the next morning!) But, you may have noticed that after just a few
washes, the softness just isn’t there anymore, and the dreaded flannel pilling is turning
dream time into a rough night.
We’re here to save your good night’s sleep – and extend the life of your bedding – with
some easy flannel care tips:
Washing & Drying
Separate by color: As with most fabrics, wash whites separately. Also separate lighter
colors from darker colors.
Turn pillowcases, Shams and Duvet Covers inside out: This life-extending move
reduces friction on the right-side out panels.
Lighten your load: An overstuffed machine creates friction between sheets and
increases pilling. But, don’t go too light, either, since lighter loads tumble harder against
the cylinder, creating the same effect. If you’re washing just one sheet, add other like colored
linens.
Warm water: You may have heard that washing sheets in hot water is best. Your
sheets might get clean, but there’s a downside. Washing sheets in hot water shrinks
fabric fibers and reduces softness. Warm (or cold) water will protect the fibers and keep
your sheets soft.
Use vinegar: This is the game changer. Just one-half cup of white vinegar from the
very first wash not only protects the fibers, you can kiss pilling goodbye. The first time
you wash your flannel sheets, use the warm water/delicate setting, and don’t add
detergent. Add one-half cup white vinegar to the water before loading the sheets (don’t
over- or under-load). Vinegar sets fabric color to resist fading and keeps pills from
forming on your sheets. Adding one-half cup every 5-10 washes will keep your sheets
fresh, softer and pill-free.
Bonus: If your machine has the “extra water” setting, use it.
The right detergent: Look for a mild detergent with no additives. Also, formulas with
“cellulose enzymes” can help reduce pilling in between vinegar loads. If you want to
brighten whites or colors, you can add lemon juice or vinegar to whites, or try an
oxygen-based, color-safe bleach or fabric booster to any load, but don’t use bleach.
Avoid fabric softener: In the wash or the dryer, fabric softeners leave a residue that
stiffens fibers. Ironically, softeners reduce flannel's softness and increase pilling.
Instead, use dryer balls or a few clean tennis balls. The added movement in the dryer
reduces the clumping of fabric fibers and improves drying time.
Go low on heat: Heat is bad for fabric fibers, so go low to extend the life of your
flannel sheets. If you have the space, air-drying your sheets for an hour or two, then
finishing them in the dryer is an energy-wise, life-extending option.
Line-dry your sheets: When you let flannel dry in the open air, you get the
freshness of air-dried sheets, and, with no friction from the tumble of the dryer, it’s
another way to reduce pilling.
Other Care Tips
Spot-treat stains: Treat a stain quickly, and blot with a clean cloth. Don’t scrub!
Scrubbing sets stains rather than removing them and can damage the fibers, or worse,
wear a hole in the fabric that’s hard to repair. Don’t put the sheet in the dryer – heat drying
stained fabric sets the stain, making it much harder to remove.
Say no to lotions and creams: Avoid beauty products at bedtime – lotions and creams
often contain oils or other ingredients that stain fabric and increase pilling.
Rotate your sheets: Keep two or three sets of sheets and rotate them to extend the life
of all of the sets. With three sets of sheets, you can keep one set on your bed, one in
the laundry, and one tucked away in your linen closet. Give your sheets in the closet an
occasional shakedown to prevent folded edges – and dust – from setting in.
Less Lint – Here’s How
Lint happens. Those annoying lint balls stick to the fabric and stick to your jammies and
threaten to ruin your night. Laundering – even doing everything right – can’t make lint go
away. Keeping a lint roller handy is your best defense. Give your sheets a quick roll
before washing and before making your bed or storing them in your closet.
Quality Sheets Are Always Worth It
Imagine nestling in between clean, warm soft sheets after a long day. Good bedding
makes for a good nights’ sleep. Don’t shortchange yourself when it comes to choosing
good sheets – they are absolutely worth the investment.
You may pay less for a deeply discounted set of sheets, but you’ll need to replace them
more often, making it more costly in the long run. You don’t need to spend a fortune, but
a few minutes of research can help you compare quality and price and make the best
choice for night after night of restful sleep.