Is one permitted to rub a shirt or handkerchief to soften it after laundering on Shabbat?

ShabbatGarment Care

Synopsis

The Mechaber permits rubbing a chaluk (shirt/undergarment) that became stiff after laundering to soften it, since the intent is only softening. But rubbing a sudar (handkerchief/scarf) is forbidden because the intent is to whiten/brighten it, which constitutes melaben. The Rema extends the sudar prohibition to hats and all linen garments.

Early Acharonim
Late Acharonim
Lenient
Strict
Lesser cited
Major authority

Discussion

Discussion coming soon.

The Daily Law

One question. Every opinion. Every morning.

A new halakhic question and the full spectrum of rabbinic thought, delivered daily.