Advice: Caring for Fine Linens

Washing Whites: To remove grime, odors, age spots, and storage stains, first dissolve delicate detergent (we recommend Restoration) in a bucket, bathtub, or sink with very hot water. Allow items to soak for at least six hours. Pre-rinse items with white vinegar to neutralize any detergent residue, then rinse twice in clear water. If rust stains persist, spot treat with a rust remover like Whink and rinse again.

Helpful Hint: You might add boiling water for extra heat and swish gently, taking care not to agitate em-broidery, hemstitching, or drawnwork.

Washing Colors: One of the two most trusted methods is to completely dissolve a generous amount of salt in cold water, then gradually add detergent before adding your colored pieces. Alternatively, soak an item for an hour in a solution of cold water and white vinegar to render it a bit more colorfast before laundering.

Helpful Hint: Keep in mind that while experts are divided on how best to launder colors while preventing bleeding and without compromising the dyes, they are in agreement on one point: nothing is foolproof.

Drying: It’s best to line them around the tub or hang over
the shower rod and allow the pieces to drip.

Helpful Hint: Most whites benefit from a little extra “sun-bleaching;” lay these linens in the sunshine on towels spread out over the grass.

Ongoing Maintenance: Go through your linens once a year or so to take stock, check them for creases or stains, and above all, use them. If you store things folded and stacked, re-fold them with
different creases. Stack heavier items on the bottom with the delicate ones on top.

Helpful Hint: Follow the sequence “Launder, store, iron, use, launder...” to ensure that you, as well as future generations, will enjoy your linens for years to come.

Ironing: Damp iron your linens (use a spray bottle of distilled water to re-wet when necessary) using the “no steam” setting until they’re completely dry. Press embroidered items with the wrong side facing the iron to plump up the motifs. Most experts condemn starching because it can weaken fibers, attract moths, and cause premature yellowing.

Helpful Hint: Iron your linens only when you are ready to use them. Do not iron them if you intend to store them for any length of time. Storing ironed linens can cause creases to form and crack the fabric.

A Note on Delicates: Fragile linens like vintage baby clothing should be washed separately. Launder them inside mesh pouches or pillowcases. Squeeze to remove water, but do not twist or wring.

Helpful Hint: Bluing (a substance that actually whitens the fabric) is gentle enough to be added to the wash or rinse cycle and gives items an even brighter and whiter appearance. We recommend Mrs. Stewart’s Bluing.