In addition to sorting lights and darks, it may also be a good idea to wash dissimilar colors like red and blue separately. As long as you don’t mix-and-match your flannel bedding, you should have no problem keeping it separated when it comes time to do laundry.
Pills are little clumps of tangled napping, or the loose fibers on the surface of flannel. Pilling occurs when fabrics like flannel aren’t properly maintained. Adding a splash of vinegar to the wash cycle now and then may also help keep your sheets fluffy and free of oily residue.
High temperatures can shrink the tiny fibers in flannel, resulting in pilling and a less comfortable sleeping experience. [4] X Expert Source Safir AliProfessional Dry Cleaner Expert Interview. 15 September 2020.
A color-protecting detergent will come in handy for preserving the look of brightly colored bedding. Add colored detergents to a laundry ball or the dispenser on the washing machine so you don’t have to pour them directly onto the sheets themselves.
If your washing machine doesn’t have an option for different wash cycles, set it to a timed wash for the shortest duration. [6] X Research source
Give yourself plenty of time to get your laundry taken care of so you won’t have to worry about soggy sheets at bedtime.
Save money on your energy bill by getting the sheets started in the dryer, then letting them finish air drying. If it’s a nice day, you can speed up the drying process by placing the damp sheets in direct sunlight. Not only will the warmth of the sun help them dry faster, sunlight also makes a great natural disinfectant and deodorizer. [9] X Research source
Be sure to check your bedding for large pills, lint and loose threads. [10] X Research source Give the sheets a good shake to fluff them up before making the bed.
Use a mixture of warm water, hydrogen peroxide and mild liquid detergent to deal with substances that are likely to leave stains, like coffee or red wine. [12] X Research source Be careful not to scrub the sheets too forcefully—over time, it’s possible to wear holes into the fabric.
To keep older flannel sheets soft to the touch, try throwing a couple (clean) tennis balls into the dryer with them. The movement of the tennis balls will help loosen up clumped fibers. One of the main selling points of flannel is that it’s already soft, so there’s no need to use a lot of conditioners and other products to keep it that way. [15] X Research source
Remember to keep lights, darks and colored sheets separated in the wash.
