# Bandannas that are actually soft?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bandannas-that-are-actually-soft/944649>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [June 19, 2021, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bandannas-that-are-actually-soft/944649 "2021-06-19T22:09:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![craft458](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@craft458](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/craft458)\
**Post date:** [June 19, 2021, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bandannas-that-are-actually-soft/944649/1 "2021-06-19T22:09:55Z")

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I am looking for recommendations for bandannas that are actually soft and don’t smell funny. A lot of the bandannas that I have tried feel rough on your face like sandpaper, they are not soft like they should be. A lot of them also seem to be treated with something to make them water resistant so that even though they are 100% cotton, they feel like nylon which is not a nice feeling on your face. I got one from Old Navy that felt softer but it had a funny smell to it like chemicals even after I washed it.

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**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\
**Post date:** [June 19, 2021, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bandannas-that-are-actually-soft/944649/2 "2021-06-19T22:55:10Z")

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Is sewing one of your skills? I’ve seen nice cotton bandana fabric for sale at different craft stores.

Otherwise, be sure you are buying 100% cotton bandanas and then wash them into submission. It might take a few washings, but they will soften up.

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**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\
**Post date:** [June 19, 2021, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bandannas-that-are-actually-soft/944649/3 "2021-06-19T22:58:41Z")

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Buy 100% cotton, look for (and avoid) fabric that feels even the slightest bit stiff or crunchy. It may have a lot of sizing in it to give it ‘curb appeal’ and that will take many, many washings to get rid of. Til then it won’t be soft or absorbent.

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**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\
**Post date:** [June 19, 2021, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bandannas-that-are-actually-soft/944649/4 "2021-06-19T23:39:37Z")

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I have two bandanna hankies that belonged to a friend of mine for decades. They are very, very soft. The key seems to be washing them approximately a zillion times.