Linen Care
Here are the recommended care instructions to ensure your fine linens wear softly and smoothly through endless laundering.
Machine Washing
New linen should be washed in cooler water temperatures for the first few washes; this will set the mercerization process. We recommend separating your linens from other items in the first wash. Future wash temperatures should be at 40°C (104 F), but for stubborn stains, temperatures can be raised to 60°C (140 F). At that temperature, the smooth flax fibers that make up the linen material will release any staining.
If your washing machine allows you to select the water level, choose the highest one offered because linen is highly absorbent. Avoid crowding the washing machine with too many items at once as it can result in twisting or pulling the linen fabric out of shape. Be sure that any other items washed with your linen items are similar in color, weight and washing instructions.
Hand Washing
Hand wash linen items using a gentle swishing motion, but never wring, twist or scrub the cloth. Hand washing is best suited for items not heavily soiled, or for linen fabric with a loose weave, which might be damaged in a washing machine.
Detergent
Use a neutral or mild detergent or castille soap that does not contain any bleaching agents such as chlorine or peroxide. Castille soap is the best for cleaning and restoring vibrancy to whites and colors alike. Do not pour detergent directly on textiles; rather, add it to the water as the wash tub fills or dilute detergent with water, then add linens. Be sure that all detergent is completely rinsed from the garment before drying.
Bleaching
The detergents that contain bleaching agents are fine for white linen, but should not be used for washing colored linen or else your linen will get discolored or spotted. Chlorine bleach can weaken fibers and cause them to yellow. If white fabrics need bleaching, use an oxygen-based bleach.
Drying
Do not wring out linen before drying. Whatever drying method you choose – line drying, tumble drying or lying out on a terry towel – make sure your linen articles are slightly damp before ironing. Drying white linen in the sun helps retain the original white color. Over-drying is the most harmful process for fabrics as it weakens the fibers causing shrinkage and pilling. Over-dried items restore their natural moisture content after re-absorbing moisture from the air.
Ironing
Remove your linens from the dryer promptly while still damp to reduce wrinkles. Smooth and fold, or press with an iron if desired. Iron linens while still slightly damp on the reverse side of the fabric. Use a steam iron on a warm/hot setting for linen and a water spritzer if needed.
Shrinkage
Since these linen items are pre-washed in the production process, the items are highly resistant to shrinkage compared with non-washed linen. Pre-shrunk items normally shrink 3 percent or less. Do not wash or, especially, dry linens in the dryer on a hot setting. High hot settings can cause more shrinkage.