|
Tips Before You Begin
Home laundering is recommended for most all fine linens, except where dry cleaning is indicated.
We strongly recommend that you A) prewash all linens before use, and B) wash linens separately from any items that contain polyester. Polyester "pills", and will shed its pilling on natural fibers, diminish the smoothness and softness of the fabric. In addition, garments with buttons or zippers can damage fine linens. Select a gentle laundry detergent like Schlossberg Fabric Wash or Le Blanc Linen Wash. Products with bluing agents, or whiteners are not recommended or color safe detergents may progressively fade the colors.
Consider the longstanding French tradition to ensure longevity of bedding; rotate your linens, one set on the bed and one set on the shelf. This ensures that no one set wears out.
CAUTION: Certain skin and hair products that contain oxidizing agents (lotions used for acne) cause discoloration of sheets. If you use such products, cover your pillow with a terry towel.
Shrinkage
Shrinkage will occur with all linens made of natural fibers, the amount of shrinkage ranging from 4 to 10 percent depends on the fibers used. The sizing of most products allows for expected shrinkage. If you have concerns please ask us to contact the manufacturer. Linens washed in hot water or high temperatures will shrink excessively. Preshrunk items, such as jacquard-woven table linens or honeycomb towels will shrink 3 percent or less. Generally, very large pieces of fabric or very high thread count linens are not preshrunk.
Washing Bedding
Linens should be separately into light or dark colors. Avoid overloading the machine to prevent breaking long staple in Egyptian cotton. Whether cotton, pure linen, or cotton/linen blend, bedding should be washed in warm water with a gentle laundering agent, with a final cold rinse. If presoaking is necessary, it should be in cold water.
Allow washing machine to fill up and begin agitating before you add detergent. Unless your linens are extremely soiled, use half the commercial detergent. We highly recommend Le Blanc Linen Wash or Schlossberg Fabric Wash. If you are investing in fine linens, it is worth it to take the time to care for them.
Remove washed bedding promptly from machine; this helps reduce wrinkling. Shaking damp linens out before drying on low heat will also reduce wrinkles and quicken drying.
Washing Bath Linens
Terry Towels: Wash terry towels before use begins the "breaking in" process, making them softer. Several washings are required for 100% cotton terry towels to achieve their maximum absorbency, softness, and suppleness.
Honeycomb Towels: These lightweight, waffle weave towels are loosely woven for absorbency, dry very quickly and have been preshrunk. White honeycomb items with colored borders may be bleached safely to keep their colors.
Launder towels in warm water and a gentle detergent. It is particularly important with towels that you do not use softner because it decreases the absorbency of the towel.
Washing Table Linens
Our jacquard-woven linens are carefree: they are preshrunk, with an easy-care finish. Dry cleaning is not recommended. Laundering "relaxes" the fibers, which enhances the intricate jacquard-woven patterns.
Irish table linens should be washed in warm water and gentle detergent, with a final cold rinse.
Remove table linens promptly from the wash, and shake out to help minimize wrinkles before drying.
Please Note: We do not recommend using any softner dryer sheets with our fine linens. They are generally made of rayon and can pill your beautiful cottons and silks.
Drying
Line drying linens is ideal, leaving linens nearly wrinkle-free and smelling fresh, but using your dryer with the proper settings will bring about good results, leaving linens relatively wrinkle-free and soft.
Do not over-dry linens by using a dryer setting that's too hot. Set your dryer on permanent press, which has a cool-down cycle at the end that helps reduce wrinkles. Most dryers have an air cycle that simply tumbles its contents without heat. This is also good for drying linens.
Remove your linens promptly to reduce wrinkling. Smooth them out and fold carefully.
Ironing
Fine linens made of natural fibers do wrinkle, particularly when new. As they become older and softer, you will find that they wrinkle less.
For both bedding and table linens, using a good steam iron will make the job easier. Avoid using spray starch, which adheres to the surface of the iron and may also attract silverfish to the stored linens.
Iron bed linens while they are still damp. If the piece is embroidered, ironing on the reverse side willl prevent damage to the embroidery. Refer to the sewn-in label with the universal symbols for the appropriate setting for your iron.
Storing
If you plan on storing your linens, iron them before you store them. Store linens flat. If shelves are wooden, line them with tissue paper, some woods contain oils that can damage linens.
Make certain that linens are not exposed to direct sunlight or to morning light to avoid color fading.
Do not leave table linens on your table where they may be exposed to direct sunlight over an extended period of time.
Care Of Down Products
Always use a duvet cover to protect your duvet and keep it clean. Use pillow protectors on down pillows, and wash the protecter regularly. A mattress protector over a feather bed is strongly recommended.
Duvets, pillow and feather beds should be fluffed daily to maintain the loft and fullness of the down. If soiled or stained, duvets and pillows can be spot cleaned with a damp cloth and mild soap.
For cleaning down duvets and pillows, we recommend laundering rather than dry cleaning. Laundering rejuvenates the lofting of quality down, making duvets and pillows full, fluffier, and fresh.
You can wash down items in a front-loading machine, extra capacity washer using a down detergent or mild detergent in warm water. If you use a top loading machine use one without an agitator. Some modest shrinkage or wrinkling may result from washing, but will not be visible on the duvet in the cover.
Tumble dry in a dryer set on medium heat. Remove every hour to fluff. Placing a few tennis balls in the dryer will facilitate the drying. Be certain your down duvets and pillows are thoroughly dry before returning them to the bed or storage. Always store in cotton bags, never in plastic.
Stain Removal
Berries and Fruit: If the stain is still wet, sprinkle it with salt and gentle soap. Let it sit for a couple of hours until the stain is dry, a solution of borax may remove the stain. Soak until it has disolved.
Blood: Attend to blood immediately. Rinse well in cold water. Sprinkle stain with unflavored meat tenderizer. Blot on hydrogen peroxide with a damp cloth, allow to bubble, then wipe with a fresh cloth. Repeat if necessary. Also, linen can be soaked over night in cold water and 2 cups of salt. Wash as usual.
Butter: Mix one tablespoon of detergent with warm water. Apply to spot and blot. You may need to repeat. Or mix one part white vinegar and two parts water. Saturate the stain and blot until dry. Wash as usual.
Candle Wax On Table Linens: Gently peel away the wax that can easily be removed with your fingernail. Go over spot with an ice cube. Place the item between two sheets of brown paper. If the wax is colored, wash with a bleach.
Coffee Or Tea: Apply borax (one part borax to six parts water) directly on the stain. Then wash in warm water.
Grease: Do not allow grease stains to set. Sprinkle fresh grease stains with baking soda or cornstarch and set until the powder gets thick. Scrape away and repeat the process. Brush off the powder and launder as usual.
Grass: Mix one-third cup vinegar and two-thirds cup of water. Apply to the stain and blot. Launder as usual.
Lipstick: Scrape off as much as you can with a dull knife. Use a prewash spray and rub with a clean rag. Launder as usual.
|
