Washing Linens Or Delicate Items

Since washing dirty laundry is not on top of my list,  a thought a few laundry tips wouldn't hurt! He re you will find information on soaking, washing, rinsing, different fabric care and washing temperature settings for delicate fabrics and linens.
I thought it would be nice to gather all the tidbits of information I have acquired through the years and share it with you. I have organized it intelligently (At least I tried!). Please, feel free to add your knowledge and experience to these pages by e-mailing me new information.

   Whenever I need to use a dry cleaning service for some of my linens or delicate items I make sure that the cleaning is done on the premises and I always inquire about the solvents being used during the cleaning process.
It is worth noticing that too much laundering or dry cleaning speeds the aging process of any material. It is better to try and remove by hand any smaller stains than to wash the whole item over and over again.
Repeated use of the same detergent may discolor certain fabrics. This has never happened to me but since I was told this might happen I thought it would be fair to pass the information unto you.

 Soaking

      With tough stains you should presoak the item for a few hours, either in your washing machine or a   smaller bucket, using prewash solutions or stain removers, as recommended.
Most linens are made of natural fibers, and depending on the fiber you can expect them to shrink between 3% and 9%. The manufacturers allow for this when sizing their products. It’s usually a good idea to pre-soak your linens a few hours before washing (overnight if possible). This has the double benefit of removing any residual pigments from printed patterns and allowing the fibers to move, minimizing shrinkage.
Pre Washing
Pre wash your new linens of delicate items by following the directions found on the package or thetags attached to the item.
A Few Hint:
Do not mix light and bright colors together as the darker ones will bleed and will change the color of  your lighter articles.
Never wash your fine linens or natural fiber items  with polyester. It pills and likes to share with most materials it comes in contact with.
If you use skin or hair products that contain oxidizing agents it is recommended to avoid contact with your fine linens or delicate items. These products will discolor your sheets and pillowcases. You might want to consider purchasing a protective cover.
You should always check the tags of any new items  and send them to the drycleaner’s if recommended.
If your water is hard, do not forget to use a good quality softening agent, especially for darker article.   Do use a net bag when washing delicate articles. A thin cotton pillow case will also do the job. Time is your enemy, make sure to remove stains when they are fresh.
Washing
You should not immediately wash your delicate items at the maximum temperature symbol indicated   on the tag. Start with a lower setting and work your way up. This will minimize any shrinkage. Never pour detergent directly onto the material.. You should wait until the water has filled the washer and then dilute the detergent in it before adding your wash. It’s always a good idea not to overfill your washing machine. This allows for better water circulation.   You should use detergents free from Optical Brightening Agents. Chlorine bleach, detergents with lighteners and stain removers weaken fibers and can damage materials in the long run; they should only be used if absolutely necessary. I prefer the use of non chlorine bleaches like oxygen type bleaches with my delicate fabrics.

                  Rinsing Though often overlooked, rinsing is very important. I always use two rinse cycles when I wash  my linens or delicate items. It is necessary in order  to remove all washing agents and avoid embarrassing marks due to the oxidation process. A cup of white vinegar in the rinse water helps remove traces of detergents and keep your laundry  smelling fresh. You could also add a lavender rinse to the wash cycle. It smells delightful, and has wonderful antiseptic properties.

Different Fabrics Care

                                                                             Linen             

You should know that linen is stronger wet than dry, so a lot of laundering will not weaken or damage your linen sheets or tablecloths.
To protect your colors and avoid spotting or discoloring, do not use whitening agents and prefer gentle laundry detergents or pure soap when washing your linens. To reduce any damage to your linen fibers, it is better to use less detergent that more whenever possible.

        Pure Cotton : Washing should be done using the delicate cycle, with warm or hot water. Chose a quality detergent and fabric softener, but always look for manufacturer’s recommendations if possible.

      Egyptian cotton especially should be washed in plenty of water to avoid the breaking of its long fibers.

      Use chorine bleach on white cotton linens and color safe bleach on prints if absolutely necessary. Using it regularly will weaken the fabric’s fiber. All your cottons will become softer with use.

      Flannel: Flannel sheets and blankets can be washed in warm water, using a mild detergent and quality softer. Like cotton, flannel becomes softer after each wash.
Fleece: The procedure for washing fleece is the same as for flannel, although colder water is recommended.

 Recommended Washing Temperatures
If manufacturer recommendations are not available.
200 F - White linens without embroideries or other finishes.
120 F - Plain colored fast linen at 140 F with not embroideries of other finishes.
100 F – Colored fast linen at 100 F but not 140 F
Washing at higher temperatures will induce fabric shrinkage.

     Special Care For Towels

Always pre wash your towels, separating dark from light colors. It usually takes three to four washes for the excess dye to come out.

Use warm water and a gentle detergent. I do not recommend fabric softener for your towel. It contains silicone and will “coat” your towel, having the reverse effect of repelling water, not absorbing it! They will be just as soft without it.

It will take several washes for your towels to reach maximum absorbency, but it’s well worth the wait.It is a good idea to add baking soda to the wash cycle once in a while. It will remove any unwanted odors and keep your towels fresh.

      Table Linens

Most quality table linens are preshrunk. They should be washed in warm water with a gentle detergent  use bleach on white linens if necessary. For colored linens, check the manufacturer's recommendation before using any strong cleaning agent.

As always I appreciate any comments of contributions on the information posted on this site.

                                                                                                                Martine

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