IndexWashIroningStorageStain removalWith minimal proper care, the natural beauty of linen is easily maintained. Linen is the most resistant natural fiber known to man and of all textile fibers it is the one that washes best. Irish linen often becomes a family heirloom as it wears very well and is able to maintain its special qualities throughout its long life. The more linen is washed, the softer and brighter it becomes. If you follow a few simple rules, your linen will remain in perfect condition for years, even through normal domestic use. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Washing Linen increases in strength when wet, which is why it holds up so well to the stresses of repeated washing. You can safely use powdered soaps and commercial liquid detergents but, as with all other fabrics, always check color fastness. Avoid detergents that contain optical brightening agents (OBAs) as they may slightly alter the colors and detract from the appearance of the subtle white linen damask pattern. OBA is especially harmful to natural, unbleached linens. For an OBA-free detergent option, click here. Avoid using bleach as a cleaning agent. This is the worst enemy of any natural fiber. Improper use can significantly degrade and weaken the fibers. Be careful when choosing your laundry, as substandard laundries may take shortcuts by using bleach in too high a concentration as an easy and cheap way to whiten your laundry. Thanks to its shiny and smooth surface, linen releases stains easily, although it is advisable to act on very stubborn stains before washing. The following wash cycles can be used: White linen items without special finishes can be washed at 95° Linen without special finishes, where the colors resist 60°C. (For 1 and 2 washing at a temperature above 50° is generally effective). Linen where the colors are resistant to 40°C but not to 60°C must be washed at 40°. The fine hand-embroidered linen must be treated with care and must be washed by hand or in the washing machine at 40°. Drying Never tumble dry your laundry as this can overdry the fibers and make ironing more difficult. However, linen dries naturally quickly. Then spin and hang dry. Ironing Always iron damp linen, first on the wrong side to eliminate creases and then on the right side if you want to enhance the natural shine of the fabric. There is no need to use starch, except perhaps for the finest linens, as linen has an inherent freshness. If the laundry has already dried before ironing, use a spray of water to dampen it again. A good steam iron will work best on linens. Remember, you don't have to save Thomas Ferguson Irish Linen for "Best." Thomas Ferguson Irish Linen can take any amount of washing and still take more. They thrive with regular use and regular washing. Storage Thomas Ferguson Irish Linen is naturally moth proof and safely stored under normal conditions. Slatted shelves will allow air circulation. Avoid closets with heating pipes running through them or cedar chests, as they can discolor linens. If unfortunately it becomes discolored, wash it as soon as possible and dry it in the sun to whiten it again. Whenever possible, store linen items without folding them. It is best to roll linen tablecloths. Please note: this is just an example.