Why do some fabrics become more comfortable the more they are washed (such as bedsheets) and some fabrics get less comfortable (such as fleece)?
In: Physics
Every fiber reacts differently to water, abrasion, soap or detergent, and heat. Linen loves to be cleaned, handled, and used and gets softer over time. Poly, acrylic, and other artificial fibers melt and pill when they get too hot or are rubbed repeatedly. Rayon loses 40% of it’s strength while wet. There are lots of variables, but basically it’s because the fibers used to make bedsheets (cotton, linen) and the fibers used to make fleece garments (fleece is polyester by definition) hold up differently to whatever processes you’re using to get them clean.
Fwiw, choosing natural fibers will typically mean your clothing is more resilient and feels better for longer as long as you clean them properly. Also fleece can sometimes be rescued with a pin brush (like the kind you use on a dog) if it gets rough and pilled.
Edit: I should mention I have *heard* you can rescue fleece with a pin brush, I haven’t tried it myself! I’ve heard it’s a little labor intensive but possibly worth it if you’re talking about, say, an expensive Patagonia fleece.
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