After much research, I finally dove in and purchased a set of Red Land Cotton Sheets that will hopefully last me a long time. I just got them in the mail yesterday and they're far from soft. I opted for the striped ones since I like the look. I've been looking around and haven't found any real solid information on how to break them in.

Any advice? I had sateen sheets from Costco prior that were so soft that I loved but just don't last. Thanks!

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idc69idc t1_j7wdqgj wrote on February 9, 2023 at 9:42 PM

#1,765,636

Give them a tumble in a dryer.

Junior_Ad2955 t1_j7wiobd wrote on February 9, 2023 at 10:14 PM

#1,765,940

They take a few wash and dry cycles to reach their great feel

Junior_Ad2955 t1_j7wiq8j wrote on February 9, 2023 at 10:14 PM

#1,765,942

We are currently using the striped ones as well, after about 5 or so wash and dry cycles, like heaven!

Junior_Ad2955 t1_j7wirfh wrote on February 9, 2023 at 10:14 PM

#1,765,944

Replying to Junior_Ad2955 (#1,765,942)

Use vinegar to soften them up faster though

GRAWRGER t1_j7wqh00 wrote on February 9, 2023 at 11:06 PM

#1,766,382

ive had this problem. people swore up and down that vinegar would do it - nope.

fabric softener + a few wash cycles worked wonders.

frannybones OP t1_j7wrpnz wrote on February 9, 2023 at 11:15 PM

#1,766,442

Replying to Junior_Ad2955 (#1,765,942)

I'll give this a shot now! Thank you!!

Muncie4 t1_j7xke2f wrote on February 10, 2023 at 2:47 AM

#1,768,062

One does not break in sheets. You buy them, you use them, you wash them....at some point in the cycle they get softer. If you wanted soft sheets out of the box, you bought the wrong ones.

Junior_Ad2955 t1_j821fun wrote on February 11, 2023 at 1:14 AM

#1,775,750

Replying to Muncie4 (#1,768,062)

I would say that you’re wrong about that. Given that we only use Red Land Cotton sheets, they get a little softer the first few washes and then after 5 get really soft

Muncie4 t1_j82i3lq wrote on February 11, 2023 at 3:30 AM

#1,776,586

Replying to Junior_Ad2955 (#1,775,750)

If you think you need to break in sheets like one breaks in an engine or horse, well great. You can have a differing view without saying the other party is wrong...especially when soft is not a metric.

Evilevilcow t1_j86x3tw wrote on February 12, 2023 at 2:21 AM

#1,784,904

I don't know about "breaking in". New textiles often have sizing, which is a compound that aids in the spinning / weaving process. That should come off in the first wash though. I wash my white set in hot water and tumble dry with a cupe wool dryer balls. I don't use fabric softener on anything, because I feel like it makes clothes dirtier, but some people really like fabric softener. So it's a choice.

I have Red Land sheets that I've had for about 6 months. While I think they feel great, that are not going to ever feel like a 600 micro thread count sheet. They are substantial and weight-ier feeling. They drape differently. They breath differently. I've been very happy with them, no pilling or wear to be seen. I think they have a long way to go before they are flannel soft.

Fabric tends to get softer as it gets some wear and tear. Think jeans that have gotten softer after a year or two. But I think some of that is the fiber actually breaking down. You can artificially create that effect by brushing fabric. You sacrifice length of life though.