Prepping your new sheets
Wash your sheets in cold water on the gentle cycle. Washing them on gentle is extremely important because this cycle uses less motion causing less friction.
Add one cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle (no detergent). Adding vinegar will allow the fiber to expand that makes them soft, helps to preserve the color keeping them from fading and looking dingy over time.
*If using a front loading machine, use the extra water setting.
Tumble dry on warm or medium heat on a gentle setting or remove sheets from dryer when sheets are slightly damp.
Don’t use dryer sheets, this can cause undue friction that causes the flannel to pill over time.
Routine Flannel Laundering:
Detergents – If using a store bought detergent use a mild detergent with no bleach or additives
Avoid fabric softener: Fabric softener leaves chemicals behind that stiffen fabric fibers and reduce flannel's softness over time. The buildup from the softener also increases the appearance of pills. Instead, consider the use wool dryer balls. Wool dryer balls also reducedrying time, save energy and is more cost efficient.
Wash your sheets in warm water: Washing sheets in hot water can shrink the fabric fibers and reduce softness. Cold water is also acceptable.Using warm or cold water will also help minimize fading. Every 5-10 washes add ½ cup of vinegar to prevent odor buildup and maintain softness.
Dry your sheets on warm.Try not to use the highest heat setting.Air-dry your sheets whenever possible or air dry to 90% dry and then finish in the dryer. When you let flannel fabric dry at room temperature, you reduce the chances of pills forming. Drying your sheets at a high heat will wear out your sheets faster.Air drying saves on utility charges and reduces carbon emissions.
Treating stains: Deal with stains promptly and pretreat stains without excessive scrubbing. Scrubbingcanset stains rather than removing them. Pour water on a stain and then blot it with a clean cloth to remove any stains.Drying stained sheets will set the stain and make it much harder to remove.If necessary treat the stain again and soak before rewashing.