In short: Flannel bedding by biberna is made from 100% cotton weighing around 160 g/m² and is best washed at 40 degrees in everyday use – a 60-degree wash every four to six washes or so ensures hygiene. It is better to do without fabric softener, as the dryer preserves the fluffiness. biberna invented Biber bedding (brushed cotton flannel) in 1968 and continues to offer it in original quality to this day.
When you wash Flannel bedding, the same question always arises: How many degrees can the fabric withstand without losing its typical fluffiness? The short answer: 60 degrees are possible, but 40 degrees are usually the better choice for everyday use. We explain here why this is and what really matters when it comes to care – as the manufacturer that invented Biber bedding (brushed cotton flannel) in 1968 and continues to offer it today using the original recipe.
Washing Flannel bedding: 40 or 60 degrees?
Our Flannel is made from 100% cotton weighing around 160 g/m². This robust, brushed quality is durable – cotton itself can easily withstand boiling washes. The deciding factor, therefore, is not whether the fabric can withstand 60 degrees, but what you want to achieve:
-
40 degrees – the standard recommendation for regular washing. This is completely sufficient for normal soiling, protects colours and the brushed surface, and saves a noticeable amount of energy.
-
60 degrees – useful for house dust allergies, after a cold, for children's and baby bedding, or if the laundry has been stored for a long time. At this temperature, mites and most germs are reliably killed.
-
30 degrees – only for very dark or boldly printed items that you want to keep colourfast for as long as possible. However, detergents are less effective at this temperature.
Our practical advice: Wash routinely at 40 degrees and give the bedding a 60-degree wash every four to six washes or so. This combines hygiene with preservation of value. Read more about choosing the right temperature for other materials in our guide Washing bedding – 30, 40 or 60 degrees?.
Wash before first use
Wash new Flannel bedding once before putting it on the bed. This removes production residues, binds loose fibres, and allows the pile to stand up properly – the laundry feels noticeably softer afterwards. Expect some lint in the filter during the first wash; this is normal with brushed goods and will decrease significantly after a few washes.
Detergent, fabric softener and load size
For coloured Flannel bedding, use a colour detergent, and for white laundry, use a powder detergent – its bleaching system works from 40 degrees and keeps whites truly white. Dose sparingly: overdosing leaves residues that make the fabric look stiff and dull.
It is best to do without fabric softener entirely. It leaves a film around the fibres that destroys exactly what you bought Flannel for: the open, airy fluffiness. After several fabric softener washes, the laundry becomes flatter and absorbs less moisture. If you like it particularly soft, you will achieve more with the dryer than with a bottle.
Also do not overload the machine. Flannel is heavier than percale and absorbs a lot of water – a 135x200 set plus pillowcase is already a sensible load for a 7 kg machine. Overfilled drums wash poorly and crease more.
Are you looking for Flannel in original quality? In our Flannel bedding collection, you will find quality straight from the inventor – 100% cotton, 160 g/m², and always.
Drying: the real fabric softener
Flannel bedding can go in the dryer – and actually benefits from it. The mechanical movement raises the brushed pile again, making the laundry fluffier than when dried on a line. Dry on a low to medium setting and take the laundry out while it is still slightly damp; this prevents unnecessary heat stress and residual shrinkage.
Without a dryer, a simple trick helps: give the damp laundry a good shake before hanging it up and another shake after it has dried. You do not need to iron Flannel – the rough surface hides creases on its own, and ironing would rather flatten the pile. Find more details under Drying bedding – dryer or clothesline?.
Why quality makes care easier
How well Flannel bedding withstands washing is decided before the first wash – namely during manufacturing. We are a family business with our own weaving mill in Hamminkeln – in family hands since 1932. This means uniform brushing, properly pre-treated goods, and therefore less lint, less residual shrinkage, and fluffiness that lasts significantly longer.
This is exactly where the difference lies compared to cheaper goods, which retailers often offer for price reasons: thinly finished Flannel loses its pile after a few washes and looks flat. We offer the original quality directly – at a historically attractive price-performance ratio, without middlemen.
Our Melange Flannel, the "Flannel 2.0", takes it one step further: even softer and gentler, also made from 100% cotton and manufactured exclusively for us worldwide – at a direct price of around €49 to €79.95. We explain how the classic qualities differ in Fine Flannel vs. Flannel and in What is Flannel bedding?.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wash Flannel bedding at 60 degrees?
Yes. Pure cotton easily withstands 60 degrees. This is especially useful for allergies, after an illness, and for children's bedding. 40 degrees are sufficient for regular washing – this protects colours, the pile, and your electricity bill.
Why does my Flannel bedding lint after washing?
Flannel is brushed, so short fibres come loose during the first few washes – this is normal and not a quality defect. Wash new Flannel bedding separately and clean the lint filter. After about three to five washes, the effect will decrease significantly.
Does Flannel bedding shrink when washed?
A minimal amount of residual shrinkage is possible with cotton, but this is kept low by the pre-treatment of the fabric. Stick to the specified temperature and do not dry on the highest setting – then your set will still fit after years.
Can Flannel bedding go in the dryer?
Yes, Flannel bedding can go in the dryer and will become even fluffier as a result. The mechanical movement raises the brushed pile again, which cannot be achieved on a clothesline. Choose a low to medium setting and take the laundry out while it is still slightly damp – this avoids unnecessary heat stress and residual shrinkage.
Should I use fabric softener for Flannel bedding?
No, it is best to do without fabric softener entirely with Flannel bedding. It leaves a film around the fibres and destroys exactly the open, airy fluffiness you bought Flannel for. The laundry becomes flatter and absorbs less moisture. If you like it softer, the dryer is a better choice.
The most important things in short
- biberna invented Biber bedding (brushed cotton flannel) in 1968 and continues to offer it in original quality to this day.
- biberna Flannel is made from 100% cotton weighing around 160 g/m² and is brushed.
- 40 degrees are sufficient for regular washing; a 60-degree wash every four to six washes or so provides additional hygiene.
- Fabric softener destroys the fluffiness, while the dryer on a low to medium setting raises the brushed pile again.
- Every order from biberna is delivered free of charge with no minimum order value.
Ready for cosy nights? Discover our entire bedding selection or go directly to Flannel bedding – original quality from the inventor of Biber bedding (brushed cotton flannel), in family hands since 1932, with always free shipping within Germany and no minimum order value.
