How to Soften Fabric: Ultimate Guide

Waking up wrapped in sheets, drying off with a towel, and putting on clothes washed in Snuggly Softness®  is a wonderful way to start your day. However, every morning can’t be perfect. Fabrics degrade and stiffen over time, making garments itchy and unpleasant. To help preserve your laundry and add softness, the experts at Snuggle® put together the ultimate guide on how to soften fabric.

Cotton is a strong and flexible fabric used in a variety of clothing and household items. In fact, it is the most popular textile fiber in the world. Approximately 75% of all clothes contain cotton. You will find it in your shirts, sheets, and towels. Learn how to keep your cotton fabrics soft and cozy with these tips:

• Line Dry: Hang your cotton fabric outside to air dry in the sun and breeze. Line drying helps prevent any damage caused by the heat and tumble of the dryer.
• Don't Overload the Washer: Overloading the washer can stop the cotton fabric from agitating properly, leading to stiffness. To ensure your fabric is washed evenly, wash it in smaller loads.
• Use Warm Water: Hot water can damage the fibers in your cotton fabric. Instead, use warm water to help break down any soap residue and keep the fibers soft.
• Avoid High Heat: Exposing your cotton fabric to high heat can damage the fibers. Instead, dry your cotton shirts or fabrics on a low heat setting and remove them from the dryer as soon as they are dry.

Unlike jeans, towels leave the store soft and absorbent, but they lose their Snuggly Softness®  over time. Follow these tips to help preserve and restore some of the original softness.

• Shake Them Out: Before folding and storing your towels, give them a good shake to fluff up the fibers and remove any stiffness. This simple step can make a big difference.
• Don't Overload the Washer: Clean your towels properly by washing them in smaller loads. When washing your towels, leave room in the drum for proper agitation to avoid fibers stiffening.
• Avoid High Heat: Instead of damaging fibers by exposing your towels to high heat in the dryer, dry your towels on a low heat setting, tumble dry, or let them air dry.

Sweaters are a cozy connection to the holidays and a warm addition to any wardrobe, but they can feel itchy and scratchy when new.

• Air Dry Flat: After washing your sweater, avoid wringing or twisting it to eliminate excess water. Instead, lay it flat on a clean, dry towel and let it air dry. This can help prevent stretching and keep the fibers intact, resulting in a softer feel.
• Use a Fabric Shaver: Sweaters can develop pilling or tiny balls of fibers on the surface over time. Using a fabric shaver can help remove these pills and restore a smoother, softer surface to your sweater.
• Steam: If your sweater feels stiff or rough after washing, you can use a handheld steamer to help loosen up the fibers. Hold the steamer a few inches away from the sweater and move it back and forth to distribute the steam evenly. Be sure to let the sweater dry completely before wearing it.

Brand-new fleece is one of the softest fabrics you can buy. Preserving that softness is paramount to enjoying the garment for as long as possible. To do so, try these tips when you wash your fleece fabrics:

• Use a Fabric Softener: Add fabric softener to the wash cycle when washing your fleece. This will help break down the fibers and make them feel softer.
• Tumble Dry: Place your fleece garment in the dryer and tumble dry on a low heat setting with a clean, dry towel. The towel will help to fluff up the fleece fibers and make them feel softer.
• Wash with Like Fabrics: Fleece should be washed with similar fabrics, such as polyester or microfiber, to prevent friction and maintain its softness. Avoid washing fleece with heavy fabrics, like denim or towels, as they can cause pilling and roughen the surface of the fleece.
• Don't Iron: Ironing fleece can damage the fibers and cause them to flatten, making the fleece feel rough. Avoid ironing your fleece garments to help maintain their softness.

Waking up cozy and comfortable in bed sheets can make or break your day. Improve your bedtime routine with Snuggly Softness®  by following these tips:

• Wash Regularly: Regular washing can help break down the fibers in your sheets and make them feel softer over time. Wash your sheets once a week using a mild detergent and warm water.
• Line Dry: Like cotton fabrics, line drying your sheets can help prevent any roughness caused by the heat of the dryer. Hang them outside to air dry in the sun and breeze.
• Use Low Heat: High heat can damage the fibers in your sheets, making them feel rough. To keep your sheets feeling soft, dry them on a low heat setting and remove them from the dryer as soon as they are dry.

The textile industry used the first fabric softeners in the early 20th century to make the dying process more palatable. The first softeners were made with tallow, corn, or olive oil.

Today’s fabric softeners have come a long way. The fabric conditioners include sophisticated components working together to keep clothes feeling soft. Here are a few:

• Conditioners: Conditioning agents do two things to prevent stiff clothes. They add moisture to fabrics to make them feel soft and bind to negatively charged fibers to prevent static cling.
• Emulsifiers: We all know that oil and water do not mix. Emulsifiers are used to get around this problem and ensure that fabric softeners work in your washing machine and reach every fiber in your clothes.
• Fragrances: Clothes should smell as good as they feel. Fabric softeners ensure they do with fragrances like Snuggle® Crystals Blue Sparkle® Cuddle Up Fresh™ Scent Boosters, which add a wonderful aroma while softening and protecting your clothes.