Linen Care

Five habits decide how long hospitality linen lasts. None of them cost anything.

1. No fabric softener on towels

Softener coats the fibre with a waxy film, and a coated fibre cannot absorb water. If towels feel stiff, the cause is detergent residue — add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse once a month instead.

2. Do not overload the machine

Linen needs room to move or the detergent never rinses out. Residue is what makes cotton feel rough and go grey.

3. Dry low, and stop early

High heat for a long time makes cotton brittle. Take linen out very slightly damp — it finishes drying on the shelf and it presses far more easily.

4. Wash white separately

White cotton can be bleached, and that is its whole advantage. Mixing it with colours throws that away.

5. Rotate the stock

Put freshly laundered linen at the bottom of the pile, not the top. Otherwise the same three sets do all the work and wear out while the rest stay new.

Stains

• Blood — cold water immediately. Hot water sets it permanently.
• Red wine — cold water and salt, then wash normally. Do not use hot.
• Makeup — a little dish soap worked in before washing.
• Fake tan — soak in cold water with oxygen bleach. It usually comes out.
• Sun cream — the hardest one. Wash promptly; the longer it sits, the more likely it is permanent.