CARE
FOR LINEN FABRIC: A BASIC GUIDE
Linen
has been around - we aren't joking - for nearly 8,000 years before the Christian
era, so that probably makes it the world's oldest natural fiber. And that automatically
excludes the bothersome exercise called dry cleaning, because the ancient Egyptians
used linen of such high quality that not even the most advanced modern looms have
been able to replicate some of it. And if they did fine without dry cleaning,
so will you. However, despite the fact that it launders well, linen does require
a certain degree of basic maintenance, which is what we will discuss here.
First
steps
Whatever cleaning methods you use, first try it on a hidden
area of your linen garment or household item. This rule, of course, applies to
most fabrics, and linen is no exception. At all events, you need to follow the
manufacturer's instructions to the letter, because washing instructions may vary
according to the stitching used on the fabric, for instance, or the dyes that
have been used to color it. Trouble is, the ancient Egyptians probably had the
upper hand when it came to caring for linen, because they used natural methods
to care for a natural fabric. With all our artificial washing liquids and detergents,
we need to be more careful than they were!
When it comes to washing, linen
is almost always better off with a hand or machine wash than a dry cleaning. In
fact, the more linen is washed, the softer and more absorbent it becomes. However,
a few general rules are best kept in mind. You should wash linen garments in a
mild detergent diluted in lukewarm or cold, and preferably soft, water. If you
are using a washing machine, set it to a mild wash cycle. In all cases, make sure
to rinse the fabric thoroughly to remove all soapy residues.
Stain
removal
Try and ensure that you remove a stain from a linen item
immediately after it has formed. The more you delay, the harder it will be for
you to get the stain off. In some cases, the stain may not come off at all. Some
varieties of white linen can withstand oxygen bleaches, though chlorine bleaches
are not recommended.
Drying
You
may machine dry linen, or hang it on the line to dry, but do not wring it too
hard before you hang it out to dry. The best thing would be to bring it off the
line while it is still damp, because linen tends to acquire a brittle quality
if it dries too thoroughly, which is difficult to reverse. However, you should
leave linen items in direct sunlight for a while for the bacteria to be killed
and the items to acquire the crisp linen smell.
Ironing
Actually, ironing is not really a priority when it comes to linen items, unless
they're really crushed. If so, it would be a good idea to iron while the fabric
is still damp. If you can't manage that, use a spray starch and iron with steam
at medium-to-hot. While white linen is best ironed on both sides, it is bets to
iron dark linen on the wrong side only. For delicate embroidery, use a press cloth
as protection.
Storing
Never store
dirty linen, because it will attract mildew. If mildew has formed on your linen
items, soak in a mild solution of hydrogen peroxide and water before washing.
If you wrap your linen, avoid using plastic bags and opt for cloth bags instead.
Also, avoid cardboard boxes and cedar chests.
TrimFabric
Tips
At TrimFabric, we store our linen fabrics in a smoke-free,
climate-controlled environment so that they are not exposed to any odors, fumes,
extreme temperatures, or moisture. While we are aware that you may not be able
to replicate these conditions in your home, we would advise you to store your
linen articles in pest-resistant boxes and containers. Also, if you have any problems
maintaining and storing your linen articles, we would be glad to offer suggestions
based on your situation, because at TrimFabric, we have years of experience in
handling and stocking the finest linens that money can buy
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