Few things feel better than sinking into soft, freshly laundered bedding after a long day, but that comfort can fade quickly if your linens are not being washed properly. Bedding can be bulky, and it is easy to overload the washing machine, but stuffing too much in can stop soap from rinsing out completely.
Over time, this detergent and fabric softener buildup can make your sheets and covers feel stiff to the touch and less comfortable to sleep on. Instead, the experts at Magic Linen suggest ditching commercial laundry products as a few simple kitchen ingredients can remove soapy residue to restore your bedding’s softness.
They said: “Commercial fabric softeners often coat linen fibres with chemicals that reduce their natural breathability.”
They added: “Instead of traditional fabric softeners, consider natural alternatives like baking soda and essential oils. Add half a cup of baking soda to your detergent for a gentle yet effective softening boost.
“If you want to leave your sheets smelling fresh without harsh chemicals, then a few drops of lavender or eucalyptus essential oil will get the job done.”
Baking soda can dissolve any detergent or fabric softener that has been left on bedding, so the fabric feels much softer once it has rinsed out.
It is also a natural deodoriser that will remove any musty smells from bed linen to freshen up the fabric and make it feel cleaner without having to use harsh chemicals.
How to get bed linen soft again with baking soda
To begin, add 110g of baking soda to the drum of the washing machine, add your linen and wash on a warm water cycle.
It is best to wash stiff bedding on a warm cycle (30C or 40C) as it will relax the fibres, loosen any residue on the fabric and help the baking soda dissolve quickly.
If you wish, you can add five to 10 drops of essential oils with the baking soda before adding the mixture to the drum of the washing machine.
However, certain essential oils like eucalyptus, lemon and tea tree oil are extremely toxic for cats and dogs, so do not use them in your washing machine if you are a pet owner.
Once the cycle is done, put your washing machine on a rinse cycle and add 120ml of white vinegar to the fabric softener compartment in the drawer.
The expert said: “Add one cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle when washing your sheets. Vinegar helps break down residual stiffness without leaving a chemical residue. If you’re worried about the smell, rest assured—it dissipates once the sheets dry.”
White vinegar acts as a natural fabric softener to help break down soap residue and is also a mild disinfectant, which ensures bedding is thoroughly cleaned to get rid of any buildup that the baking soda could not remove.
However, when baking soda and white vinegar are mixed, they create a fizzy reaction that neutralises each other. To get the best results, add the white vinegar only after the bedding has been washed with baking soda.
Once the bedding has been washed, hang it up to air dry outside if you can, as the wind can also help fluff up the fibres. Make sure to hang it up somewhere shady, as direct sunlight can cause discolouration.
If you would prefer to put bedding in a tumble dryer, then place it on a low heat and add wool balls as this will also fluff up the fabric. High heat leads to stiffness and causes bedding to feel crunchy.
When the bedding is completely dry, it should feel softer and more breathable against your skin, so you can sleep soundly without the discomfort of rough sheets.
