Fitted sheets

Subject: Fitted sheets Fri May 30, 2008 9:43 am

The only bit of modern bedding I use is a fitted sheet - it's one of those annoying things that says "100% cotton - DO NOT BLEACH" and it's steadily going a charming shade of grey-yellow after a few years.

It really shows up because the rest of my bedlinen is vintage and is gorgeous perfectly brilliantly white, and without using bleach either!

Anyway, what on earth can I do about this wretched fitted sheet? Any ideas? I looked in the supermarket at the various products to make things glowing white but they are all for synthetic fibres only.

I really don't want to use a flat sheet on the mattress as I obviously sleep energetically and they just wrinkle up instantly. I can't face the prospect of converting one of my spare vintage sheets to a fitted one, partly because my spares are all singles which will cover the mattress but aren't quite big enough to go right under.

Yours in a grey-yellow slovenly manner!
laura

Subject: Re: Fitted sheets Fri May 30, 2008 3:11 pm

I'm not sure this will help but I was looking online and found a guide for caring for 100% egyptian cotton sheets and it said you can use non-chlorine bleach occasionally as needed for whitening. You may want to test in on an edge first because it was on online source and not something i've actually done. Have you tried drycleaning, I was thinking that might work too. Good luck.

Subject: Re: Fitted sheets Fri May 30, 2008 9:30 pm

What about bluing? or just using bleach on it anyway? or OxiClean? or lay it in the sun......

Subject: Re: Fitted sheets Sat May 31, 2008 3:31 am

I think I'd try Borax in the wash and then dry it in the sun.

Subject: Re: Fitted sheets Sat May 31, 2008 8:15 am

You have to be careful about bleaching products. They weaken the fibres in material and you'll eventually end up with something thats only good for the rag bag.

I get around the problem by sticking to coloured beddinga and towels. But I agree with Barb about trying bluing. My grandmother used to swear by it. But I'd limit its usage to occasional.
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Subject: Re: Fitted sheets Sat May 31, 2008 11:57 am

I think an occasional bleach isn't bad, and you're right it'll be rag bag material if you don't. Maybe that's the reason they just say DO NOT BLEACH.

Subject: Re: Fitted sheets Sat May 31, 2008 1:14 pm

I'll try the borax adn sun - I've already tried blueing it, different quantities and dilutions - but if you remember primary school paint colours, if you blue a grey-yellow sheet you get a revolting grey-GREEN sheet - yeuch!!!!!!

;-)

lns