Soften Stiff New Sheets

Are your new sheets too stiff to enjoy? Here are some easy options for softening them.

Turpentine method
Warning: Do NOT put the item in the dryer after washing with turpentine as turpentine is combustible and could cause a fire.
 * 1) Add half a cup of turpentine to the washing water with the sheets.
 * 2) Rinse.
 * 3) Hang out to dry. The smell of turpentine will have evaporated.

Epsom salts method

 * 1) Fill a laundry tub with cold water.
 * 2) Add 50g of Epsom salts.
 * 3) Stir the sheets around in the tub for two minutes (use a wooden spoon if you don't want to get cold hands).
 * 4) Leave the sheets to soak overnight in the epsom salts mixture.
 * 5) Rinse and hang outside to dry.

Borax method

 * 1) Fill a laundry tub with cold water.
 * 2) Add 6 tablespoons of borax to the tub.
 * 3) Add the sheets and leave to soak overnight.
 * 4) Rinse thoroughly the next morning and hang outside to dry.

Salt method

 * 1) Fill a laundry tub with cold water.
 * 2) Throw in 2 handfuls of salt.
 * 3) Add the sheets and leave to soak overnight.
 * 4) Wash, rinse, and dry as usual.

Things You'll Need

 * Turpentine
 * Epsom salts
 * Borax
 * Salt
 * Stiff sheets