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LINEN has been known to be a breathable fabric of choice for when the weather heats up.
Washing the delicate fabric can be tricky, but one cleaning pro has it covered.
The experts weighed in on how to keep linens looking clean and in good shape (stock photo)[/caption]
Lance Millet, a product care expert at Raging Bull clothing brand gave his top tips for keeping linens pristine.
Millet said that when it comes to linens, temperature is step one.
“You should never wash your linens at a temperature higher than [86°F] as this can cause the fabric to shrink,” he said.
“Ideally linen shirts should be washed on your washing machine’s gentle cycle or by hand in lukewarm water.”
“Many people don’t realise that linen is resistant to bacteria as it doesn’t hold moisture.
“This means that it doesn’t tend to catch odorous smells and therefore doesn’t need to be washed at a high temperature to be thoroughly cleaned.”
GENTLE REMINDER
Senior fashion designer at Raging Bull, Natalie Chapman, also added her own advice for cleaning linen.
“Linen shirts should always be ironed inside out and on a medium heat, to avoid any unintentional damage,” she said.
“Linen is notoriously known for creasing easily, so a top tip is to iron the garment whilst it’s slightly damp or use a water spray or steam setting to eliminate creases.”
Chapman offered advice on how to nix stains on the lightweight fabric.
“Quite often, linen shirts come in light or white colors which means the smallest mark or stain can be quite obvious,” she said.
“If you do spill anything on linen, remove any excess straight away and dab the fabric gently and lightly with a clean cloth soaked in white wine vinegar.
“Then, wash the garment in cold water to prevent the stain from setting.”
She noted one laundry room staple to steer clear from.
“Always avoid any cleaning product containing bleach as this can damage the fabric.”
PROPER STORAGE
Keeping linens clean doesn’t stop in the laundry room, according to the experts.
Storing linens properly is essential to giving those pieces a long lifespan.
“Between wears — and seasons — be sure to store your linens properly to preserve the quality and longevity of the garment,” she said.
“Your shirt should be clean and completely dry to prevent mildew or odor.
“Before the first wear of the season, refresh the shirt by airing it out or giving it a gentle wash.”
Tip to remove yellow sweat stains
Yellow armpit stains affects everyone, whether people care to admit to it or not. But there is help at hand. To remove yellow stains from your clothing, experts recommend the following methods:
- Baking soda paste: The pros at The Laundry Cafe recommend mixing one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide with one tablespoon of salt, and ½ cup of baking soda. Apply directly to the stain with a toothbrush, rub, and let the mixture sit for at least an hour, then wash as normal.
- Oxygen bleach: This method is just as useful for removing yellow stains. Mix one part of oxygen-based bleach with one part of ammonia in a non-metal bowl. Wear gloves during this application. Rub into the fabric with a toothbrush and allow the solution to sit for at least ten minutes before laundering as normal.
- Stain remover or detergent: Stains on collars can be stubborn to remove as armpit stains. So pretreat the area using a solvent-based stain-removing agent or detergent. Work the product into the collar with a toothbrush and allow it to sit for at least ten minutes before washing.
