Linen will be even better after the wash and washing linen textiles is not difficult at all…
Sorting out the laundry
* follow the instructions attached to the textile
* wash the stains when still fresh and use natural stain soaps if needed
* wash linen textiles separately from other materials since natural fibres loose some short fibres (nap) specially during the first wash
* to obtain less creased textiles fill the washing machine only to half of its full capasity
Washing
* pre-washing is rarely needed
* temperature 60 °C
* it is possible to wash linen in higher temperatures but it wears out faster than in lower temperatures
* creasing can be decreased with plenty of water during the wash
* slow cycle and plenty of water decreases nap / lint during the first washes
* natural linen colour is faded by the bleaching particles in washing powder
* please avoid tumble drying, it increases the possibility of permanent wrinkles and creasing
* check the nap / lint collector before and after the wash according to the instructions given by the manufacturer of your washing machine
After-treatment
* straighten out the textiles after the wash and hang to the line
* avoid hot machine drying, natural fibres prefer natural drying
* mangle or iron the linen textiles while damp
* linen can be ironed with high temperatures
* mangled napkins can be folded with in many festive ways
Special treatments
* chlorine bleaching is not recommended for linen
* linen table textiles can be starched after the wash to achieve beautifully folded napkins
Tips for the care of linen
* unwashed linen textiles can be soaked briefly in hand warm water before the wash to avoid creasing during the wash
* linen terry towel reveals a luxurious smoothness when mangled after the wash
* table cloth is easy to “iron” by rolling the cloth around a plastic or plastic covered cardboard tube while it’s damp and leave it to dry. There’s hardly any creases and it’s easy to iron.
* red wine stains should be covered at once with sugar (or salt) to absorb the moist. Sugar or salt must be wiped off soon.
