Bedding - thoughts please

Buddingblonde

Thanks for all the comments and tips - unfortunately no tumble dryer (and trying not to buy one as I would rather not use extra electricity).

mrs_thrifty_2

A laundrette will have a tumble dryer to use as a one off to sort this problem out.

ness_w

I get Next 100% cotton ones when they start their sale, they are often more than 50% off and last well. I find buying from Asda etc to be a false economy since they don't last.

twiglet98

John Lewis cotton or cotton percale is my favourite and doesn't get too hot, I can't bear polycotton duvet covers. My JL ones are 8-10 years old and have never been ironed (though I sometimes press the pillowcases), they line dry perfectly well to go straight back on.

BitterAndTwisted

I've got polycotton duvet covers and cotton ones and I can't feel the difference between the polycotton and the 100% cotton apart from the ironing. Or is there some subtle difference between polycotton and cotton percale?

I had a chum staying with me for a few weeks and before they moved out they went and bought new bedding for their new flat. The sets bought were very nice but when I pointed out that 100% cotton would take longer to dry and need a press she told me that she couldn't possibly bear to sleep under anything not 100% cotton but she hadn't realised what she had actually been sleeping under on my spare bed.

culpepper

Something I have found helps with softening is the tumble drier balls from poundland.
I dont have a tumbledrier anymore but I put the balls in the washing machine and they are there the whole wash.
They seem to help with getting the clothes clean(possibly from the extra agitation) and they feel softer. I wouldnt leave them in a wash with lacey type items but they have been in there for a long time now with no harm to laundry or machine.
They are good for catching long hair that accumulates in the machine too.
I never use softner but will put vinegar in the rinse drawer sometimes.

knithryn

I got some high thread count cotton sheets from Matalan. They are SO densely woven that our three cats can't get their claws into them to pluck them.
On the down side they are starting to look a little jaded in colour (about 3 years old, two sets, so each set is used once every fortnight) especially where they have been creased in the drier.
I don't iron them. Fold them carefully and put them away. They will have a slightly creased look after one night on the bed anyway.

Linda32

I can recommend Sainsbury's bedding, abit of an odd place to think off I know, but it is really really nice.

Having read here I will try Jonh Lewis and M&S as well, next time I want some bedding.

I bought some cheap Flanelette sheets a few years ago and they do bobble at first, we called them snoftlettes (I'm sure thats just us though), that fell off and could be found everywhere but they eventually calmed down, and I agree they do make it hard to leave the bed in the morning.

lindseykim13

if your worried about ruining things or quality lasting get some from boot sales or charity shops, dirt cheep so won't matter if they need replacing sooner.

ChocClare

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

I've got polycotton duvet covers and cotton ones and I can't feel the difference between the polycotton and the 100% cotton apart from the ironing. Or is there some subtle difference between polycotton and cotton percale?

Percale describes a weave rather than fibre content. You can have 100% cotton percale or 50/50 or anything in-between. I think it's the weave that makes it so smooth - you really don't notice that it's got polyester in it.

I have a duvet cover and pillow cases I bought from BHS when it was still British Home Stores to go with the Continental Quilt I bought from Brentford Nylons which I bought to go away to university in 1980. I thought I was so modern and cutting edge not to have sheets and a blanket and eiderdown! The pillowcases have my name embroidered on them in black embroidery cotton. :rolleyes: As it is a set for a single bed I don't use it so often now but it is still BRILLIANT - and that's 50/50.

On the other hand, I have two duvet covers and pillow cases which are 50/50 and they are AWFUL. Bobbly, hot and just generally vile.

I think it really depends on the quality - you get what you pay for. Everything else is 100% cotton and it is a pain to iron. Next time I buy a new set it's going to be John Lewis cotton percale again - not cheap, but worth it - and as I've had my two sets from them for 23 years I could maybe go mad and buy another set one day soon...