Caring for your fine linens

To wash: Soak in warm, sudsy water. Gently squeeze suds through, do not scrub or wring. Rinse in clear warm water. 

To dry: Do not use a machine dryer. After the rinse, roll the linens in a towel to absorb excess moisture. Gently reshape and smooth out the linens, then lay on fresh towels or hang on a rack.

To iron: when linens are still slightly damp, press lengthwise on the wrong side of the fabric with a very warm (but not too hot) iron, on a well padded surface (about the thickness of two terry towels). Press firmly to bring out the texture of the linen. A light spraying of spray starch will restore body and the look of newness.

We recommend a gentle detergent like “Woolite,” and your detergent should always be bleach-free. For spots, treat with a stain remover like OxiClean, Shout, or Spray ’n Wash. Be sure to follow directions. The sooner you can treat stains, the better. And because it’s not always possible to launder table linens right away, you can immerse them in tepid water, so that stains will neither set nor dry – then you can get back to them later.

**Note these instructions are for linen and cotton. Should your items be silk, they should be sent out for professional cleaning.

Not everyone has time or inclination to launder their own fine linens. And when it comes to larger pieces like tablecloths, it can just get unwieldy. If you already have a trustworthy and experienced cleaner, by all means send your linens there. 

But if you are looking for a fine laundry, we highly recommend The Laundry at Linens Limited. Their laundering and pressing is superb. Ship your fine linens there, or use one of a dozen drop-off locations across the country. Learn more here.