How to Choose, Wash and Care for Flannel Bed Sheets
How to Choose the Best-Quality Flannel Bed Sheets
I’ve always heard that L.L. Bean, Lands’ End and J.C. Penney sell the best-quality flannel sheets. But when I shopped for new bed sheets last year, I checked my local dollar stores and Big Lots as well to see what I could find. To choose the best flannel sheets, look for ones that are made with heavy 100% cotton. Look for “Yarn-dyed” material instead of “printed” because it will hold it’s color longer and won’t fade as quickly. Another characteristic of the better-made flannel bed sheets is, they are pretty tightly woven. When you hold them up to the light, you shouldn’t be able to easily see through them.
When you normally buy bed sheet sets, you look for ones that have the highest thread count. They are the highest-quality. However, this rule of thumb doesn’t hold true with flannel sheets. To choose the best-quality flannel sheets, you’ll need to check the fabric weight. That’s how they are rated. Bed sheets that have a fabric weight of 5 – 6 ounces per yard are the most desirable. They’ll not only keep you warm, but they’ll hold up for years to come, as long as you wash and care for them properly.
How to Wash and Care for Flannel Bed Sheets
I wash my flannel sheets in the washing machine with warm, never hot water. You should use either WooliteÃ?® or a gentle detergent so the color won’t fade. Never use harsh bleach or detergents that contain bleach alternatives to wash your flannel bed sheets with. And, be sure to use liquid fabric softener in the rinse cycle, or a dryer sheet to help keep your sheets feeling soft and comfortable.
After you wash them, care for them properly by not leaving them in the clothes dryer for too long. Too much heat will cause your flannel sheets to wrinkle. It can also fade the colors. Worst of all, too much dryer heat will break down the rubber elastic around the fitted sheet. As soon as they are dry, remove your flannel bed sheets from the dryer and fold them up, or put them on your bed.
An alternative to drying flannel bed sheets in the dryer is to hang them up and let them air-dry. It saves wear-and-tear on the material, and it conserves energy too. Once they’re dry, pop them in your clothes dryer for just a few minutes to make the material soft and fluffy.
