Home » Beauty » How to make bed linen softer. Housewife tips: how to soften laundry without chemicals. Recommendations for washing and caring for calico bed linen

How to make bed linen softer. Housewife tips: how to soften laundry without chemicals. Recommendations for washing and caring for calico bed linen

Bedding goes through a long journey before it reaches your home. After production, the rolls of fabric are stored in a warehouse, and it is difficult to guarantee the perfect cleanliness of the racks.

Although the storage conditions for fabric are strictly regulated, the manufacturer is not always ready to comply with them, and sometimes does not have such an opportunity - for example, if there is not enough space, the rolls can spend some time directly on the floor.

Then the material goes to the cutting shop, and from there to the sewing shop. In most factories, the process of sewing linen takes place in conditions that are far from sterile - there may be at least dust covering the surfaces on the fabric.

Where you purchased your bedding will determine how many people have touched it before you. If this is underwear from a reputable manufacturer, purchased in a specialized store, the degree of its cleanliness is trustworthy. However, it happens that people buy bed linen in regular stores and even on street stalls - before purchasing, the packaging may have been unwrapped, touched, perhaps not very clean. Therefore, washing is necessary not only to remove dirt from the fabric, but also to destroy germs.

Sometimes the underwear you just bought has several bad smell. This happens for several reasons. The fabric could absorb foreign odors during storage, especially if the seal of the packaging was broken. A fabric treatment composition, a finishing agent that includes starch, synthetic resins and other substances, can give the laundry an odor. During the first wash, part of the composition is washed off, and the laundry becomes softer.

Finishing is necessary to impart rigidity to fabrics, increase or decrease hygroscopicity.

The linen may also smell due to the paint applied to the fabric - in this case, the dyeing technology was most likely broken, and the sheets may fade.

How to wash new clothes?

It is not necessary to wash new clothes at high temperatures - a delicate wash at 40 degrees will be enough. Before putting your laundry in the washing machine, turn your pillowcases and duvet covers inside out. This way you can avoid friction of the fabric against the internal surfaces of the machine, which can cause unsightly whitish abrasions to form on the material.

It is necessary to iron laundry if it is intended for a child or is heavily wrinkled during washing. In other cases, it all depends on your personal desire. It is also better to iron new linen that has been lying in the closet for a long time or purchased from a place that is not trustworthy before using it for the first time.

When buying fabric for any products, we often pay attention to its color and texture, determine the composition (natural or synthetic), and also select an acceptable price. And only when we start working with her do we realize that she is quite tough. The same thing happens with clothes that, after five minutes of trying on, seemed ideal to us, but when worn for a long time, they rub and cause irritation of the skin due to the hardness of the material.

But don't get upset or throw things away. This problem can be easily fixed.

Today you can find many fabric softeners on sale that are used after washing during rinsing. They make products soft, tender and fresh. But at the same time, they contain many chemicals, including fragrances, which remain on things and then come into contact with the skin. This can cause allergies and various health problems in some people.

There is an alternative to such chemicals in the form of natural substances that will cope with the task no worse, and will also be much cheaper:

Vinegar. This product can be found in every kitchen. It's cheap and non-toxic. It is acidic, unlike detergents and powders which are alkaline, so it softens products by neutralizing soap residue. In addition, it will get rid of static, and thanks to its antimicrobial properties, it will also disinfect things. Just add 1/4 cup of vinegar to the rinse water and your softening conditioner is ready. If you don't like the smell, you can add a couple of drops essential oil.
Soda. Regular baking soda, which you use for baking, works great for softening water and also making things softer. In addition, it also helps deodorize clothes, normalizes pH levels, eliminating excess alkalinity and acidity. Add a quarter cup of baking soda to your washing water. You can first dissolve it in water and add the solution to the machine.
Salt. Dissolve half a glass of table salt in the soaking water and leave for several hours. You can use coarse sea salt.
Borax. Just like baking soda softens water. In addition, it is an excellent cleaner that simultaneously destroys mold and mildew, dust mites, and also removes odors from things. But this remedy cannot be abused, as it is quite aggressive. To soften the water when washing, it is enough to use half a glass of borax during normal loading of the machine. Using it as a conditioner, you need to add a quarter cup to the rinse water.
Combination of substances. A combination of baking soda and vinegar can be an effective fabric softener. Just pour in the vinegar very carefully, as a violent neutralization reaction will occur. The salt obtained as a result of the reaction will be the softening element. Mixing coarse salt with baking soda in a 2/1 ratio will also give a good softening effect when rinsing. And when you add essential oil to the dry mixture, you will get a unique fragrance.

There is another version of the original rinse composition that will make the fabric soft. Add any hair conditioner and vinegar in a 3/2 ratio to hot water. This composition will not be completely natural, but the effect will be amazing.

Softening fabric when drying

You can soften the fabric not only during the washing or rinsing process, but also during the drying stage. You need to put dryer balls in the dryer along with your clothes. Such means:

made of plastic or rubber;
soften linen purely mechanically, moving between products;
reduce drying time;
remove static electricity;
prevent tissue shrinkage.

You can make such balls with your own hands from ordinary wool threads. It is enough to wind 4-5 tight balls the size of a tennis ball, and then put them in old tights, tying a knot behind each. Next, they need to be washed in very hot water and dry in the dryer on the hottest machine setting. The balls will become matted and compacted, after which they can be used to dry things.

The advantages of homemade balls are that they:

do not contain chemical impurities - completely natural;
have low cost;
open access to hot air things, separating them;
make clothes surprisingly soft and fluffy;
reduce drying time;
You can drop essential oil into wool balls, which will give things a unique aroma.

There is a method of using tennis balls as balls. Their principle of operation and the resulting effect are the same as those of traditional balls. But, given their material of manufacture - rubber, not intended for high temperatures If the dryer setting is too hot, chemicals may be released and leave an odor on the laundry.

One of the simplest and most affordable traditional methods softening the fabric when drying is the use of cotton fabric. It may be old and unnecessary, but it must be clean and natural. It needs to be cut into small squares with a side of approximately 13 cm. You need to sprinkle the pieces with vinegar until completely moistened, and then put them in the dryer. Vinegar will be the element that softens things. You can add a few drops of essential oil to each piece of clothing, this will give your clothes your favorite scent.

Methods for softening different types of fabric

Each fabric has its own composition, weave and density, so for each type there is a more preferable softening method. For example:

Cotton - the glue used to process the fibers can give it uncomfortable rigidity. To soften it, you need to wash the item several times before use, and be sure to add conditioner when rinsing.
Denim - soda solution will make it soft. 3-4 tablespoons per glass of water, pour it into the machine and wash at 40 degrees. Be sure to add conditioner when rinsing.
Linen - soak things in a saline solution (5-7 spoons per 5 liters of water) and leave overnight. Wash in the morning.

Instead of salt and soda, you can use a solution with a double dose of conditioner. Products should be left in it for a day and then simply rinsed. It is also worth highlighting a few tips that will protect you from mistakes when softening fabric:

when using vinegar, use only white vinegar, do not use colored or apple vinegar, as they can change the color of the product and leave stains on it;
Never mix white vinegar with chlorine bleach, as the reaction will produce a dangerous gas;
do not use baking soda on dark fabrics, it can lighten them;
Wash items at a temperature no higher than 60 degrees to avoid shrinkage and rapid wear.

Using these tips, your fabrics will always be soft, and your clothes will always be soft and comfortable.

Inexpensive, but with very good characteristics, bedding made from calico is in great demand today. Consequently, the buyer will also be concerned about the issue of caring for such linen, in particular, how to properly wash, dry and iron it in order to keep it in excellent condition for a long time, and not spend money on purchasing new and new sets. So let's find out how to care for bed linen from calico.

Calico - durable and high-quality fabric

Calico is a type of cotton fabric that can be said to be natural and safe, making it suitable for the whole family. Does not cause allergic reactions or irritation, therefore, ideal for children. Calico is a durable and wear-resistant fabric that is easily washed from stains and dirt, and after washing it looks new and fresh. Caring for her is not at all difficult; there are no special care requirements.

In addition, bedding sets made from calico compete in price with other fabrics, which means they are affordable to almost everyone. A catalog of inexpensive and high-quality bed linen made from calico can be viewed on this website http://www.stasia37.ru/kpb-shuyskaya-byaz. Nice colors to suit every taste, different sizes, good quality and low price - that's it distinctive features KPB made of calico.

First wash before use

A newly purchased set of bed linen must be washed before use. What does the first wash give:

firstly, it eliminates factory smell;
secondly, it makes the linen softer, because the new calico is quite hard;
thirdly, it's simply hygienic.

Please note that after washing the laundry may shrink slightly, about 5%.

Recommendations for washing and caring for calico bed linen

You can wash bed linen made from calico using washing modes with temperatures ranging from 30 to 60 degrees. Calico tolerates washing in an automatic washing machine well, does not require special products, it is enough to purchase ordinary washing powder or gel for washing in a washing machine. The same applies to air conditioners - they can be used without fear of ruining the fabric.

As a rule, calico linen can be of various colors; bright prints are also used in its production. Therefore, buyers often worry whether the linen will fade or become dull after frequent washing, because they buy it not only for adults, but also for children. The answer is that calico linen can last a very long time, maintaining the brightness of colors and shape, but there are some rules that will help with care:

Calico bed linen should be washed separately from linen made from other fabrics. If you don't stick to it, it can get rough very quickly.
When washing, turn pillowcases and duvet covers inside out, this will help preserve the brightness of the fabric longer.
The washing temperature, as already indicated, is acceptable within 30-60 degrees, but it is still better to use modes up to 40 degrees. This way the fabric will last longer and remain beautiful.
The washing mode can be normal (cotton), but it is better to choose a delicate wash with a speed of up to 600-800 per minute. If you set the spin cycle to maximum, the laundry will not be ironed well after washing and will quickly lose its beautiful appearance.
Before drying, laundry should be shaken well. It is better to dry it on fresh air, ideally on the street or on a balcony with an open window.
For easy ironing, wash bedding made of calico should be removed a little earlier than it is completely dry - slightly damp. If the laundry gets too dry, it will be more difficult and longer to iron.

As you can see, following the rules for caring for calico bed linen is not so difficult. If you choose this fabric, you will definitely be satisfied with your purchase.

The softness of bed linen is a prerequisite for a healthy and comfortable sleep. When buying a new set, we first of all touch it with our hands. It is this tactile test that makes it possible to determine whether such underwear is suitable for you or not. By the way, you can buy inexpensive bedding made from calico.

By following simple rules for washing calico linen, you can achieve softness of the products. They are as follows:

Be sure to wash the kit before first use;
choose a temperature of 40°C, you can use the usual powder and conditioner, calico is not capricious in this regard. The use of rinse aid in itself will make the fabric soft;
washing products made from calico should be done separately from other linen;
set the spin cycle to 600-800 rpm; if the intensity is higher, it will be more difficult to iron the laundry;
Another secret to simple ironing is to remove the laundry slightly damp.

We are trying to do without special means

If the bedding becomes too hard during use, try the following:

steaming. Today, every iron has a similar function. Lightly salt the water, pour it into the special hole of the iron and thoroughly steam the laundry, it will become noticeably softer;
additional rinse in water and salt solution. To do this, take 1 tbsp. a spoonful of table salt for every liter of water, rinse the laundry and dry as usual;
Try lowering the wash temperature and spin speed. If you use the drying mode in the washing machine program, then also set the temperature to low.

Special techniques for softening laundry at home

vinegar solution is the most common softening method; in addition, it can refresh the fabric and eliminate unpleasant odors. Take 125 ml of 9% vinegar and add it to the rinse compartment of the machine. The only condition is that you cannot use vinegar if you are using bleach. Otherwise, a chemical reaction is possible that will lead to deformation of the material;
Baking soda can enhance the effect of washing powder and perfectly soften the fabric. You will need ½ cup of baking soda, which you can pour directly into the drum of the machine.

Another option is to make your own fabric softener:

take a container, pour a glass of soda into it and fill it with a glass of water;
add 6 glasses of vinegar, wait for the chemical reaction to complete and pour in another 6 glasses of vinegar;
in order for the mixture to have a pleasant aroma, you can add 10-20 drops of any essential oil;
Pour the liquid into the bottle, and then add the product each time you wash it by pouring it into the conditioner compartment.

Wearing clothes made of hard materials for a long time causes discomfort and irritation of the skin. To avoid unpleasant sensations, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with fabric softening methods that have proven effective in practice. The method of processing products depends on the type of material.

Cotton

The high rigidity of cotton fabric is due to the processing of threads using special glue. To soften the material, you need to wash the item of clothing several times with regular powder, and use conditioner when rinsing. After 2-3 such procedures, the textiles become softer.

Note: Cotton clothing should not be washed at temperatures above +60 degrees, as this may cause the product to shrink.

Denim

An alkaline solution will make jeans soft. To prepare the product, you need to dilute 3-4 tablespoons in one glass of water. The resulting liquid should be poured into the compartment washing machine and wash at a water temperature of +40 degrees. Jeans should be rinsed using fabric softener.

Note: This method is not suitable for processing dark clothes, since such clothes may lighten under the influence of soda.

Flax

To soften linen fabrics, it is necessary to soak the items in 5-7 liters of water diluted with 3-5 tablespoons of table salt. Leave the clothes in a container of water overnight and wash them in the morning.

Alternative ways:

Dilute two doses of conditioner in a basin of warm water and immerse things there for a day. After 24 hours, clothes should be rinsed or washed with conditioner.

Pour into a bowl of water acetic acid to a two percent solution and soak the clothes in the tank for several hours. Next, rinse the item well several times. If after a set of procedures a sour smell remains, you can wash it.

More information about clothing care can be found from the manufacturerVulkana.