These are the symbols you will find on the sewn-in labels of each item. Please refer to the label before laundering.
Normal cycle at 60 degrees
Gentle cycle at 40 degrees
The triangle with X means no chlorine bleach. Without the X, bleach may be used.
Three dots indicates a very hot iron—210 degrees C, 410 degrees F. Two dots indicates a hot iron—160 degrees C, 320 degrees F. One dot indicates a warm iron for touch ups—120 degrees C, 248 F.
The encircled P means all dry cleaning solvents may be used.
Indicates article may be line dried.
Indicates article may be machine dried at moderate heat.
All of our linens are packaged with care instructions, and all have sewn-in labels with universal laundering symbols. This brochure is intended to expand on the information found in our packaging, and it includes a section on stain removal.
Bed, bath and table linens are essential elements of the home. With proper care, our fine linens will last for many years, instilling them with real heirloom quality. They are meant for everyday use, and to be enjoyed by all.
Home laundering is recommended for all of our linens, except where dry cleaning is indicated (on piqué and matelassé blanket covers, wool and mohair blankets).
We strongly recommend that you a) pre-wash all linens before use, and b) wash linens separately from anything else, particularly items that contain any polyester. Polyester "pills," and will shed its pilling on natural fibers, diminishing the smoothness and softness of the fabric. In addition, garments with buttons or zippers can damage more delicate linens in the wash.
Products with bluing agents or whiteners are not recommended on colored linens, as they may progressively fade the colors.
Consider the longstanding French tradition to insure the longevity of bedding: rotate your sheets, with a set in the closet, a set on the bed, and a set in the wash. This insures that no one set receives more wear than another.
A Word of Caution: certain skin and hair products that contain oxidizing agents (e.g., lotions used for acne) may cause discoloration of sheets, particularly blue linens. If you use such personal products, cover your pillow with a white pillow case or white towel.
Shrinkage will occur with all linens made of natural fibers, the amount of shrinkage ranging from 4 to 10 percent, depending on the fibers used. The sizing of our products allows for expected shrinkage. Linens washed in hot water or dried at hot temperatures will shrink excessively.
Linens should be separated into light or dark colors. Avoid overloading the machine to prevent breaking long fibers like those in Egyptian cotton. Whether cotton, pure linen, or a cotton/linen blend, bedding should be washed in warm water, using a gentle laundering agent, with a final cold rinse. If pre-soaking is necessary, it should be in cold water.
Allow your washing machine to fill up and begin agitating before you add detergent or bleach
Unless your linens are extremely soiled, use half the commercial detergent recommended; this will reduce damage to fibers and clean your linens just as well.
Remove washed bedding promptly from the machine; this helps reduce wrinkling.
Shaking damp linens out before drying (at low heat) will also reduce wrinkles and quicken the drying time.
Terry Towels: Washing terry towels before use begins the "breaking in" process, making them softer and more absorbent. Several washings are required for 100% cotton terry towels to achieve their maximum absorbency, softness and fluff.
Launder towels in warm water and a gentle detergent. It is particularly important with towels that you not use fabric softener, since it decreases the absorbency of the towel.
Our Jacquard-woven table linens are carefree: they’re pre-shrunk, with an easy-care finish, and can be bleached without affecting the brightness of the color. Dry cleaning is not recommended; laundering "relaxes" the fibers, which actually enhances the intricate, Jacquard-woven patterns.
Please note: Beautiful as they are, tea towels are meant to be used hard—in the kitchen, great for drying dishes and crystal, but also ideal for wiping up spills. Bleach can be used to maintain their elegant appearance.
Line drying linens is ideal, leaving linens nearly wrinkle-free and smelling fresh, but using your dryer with the proper settings will bring about satisfactory results, leaving linens relatively wrinkle-free and soft.
Washing and drying your linens properly will eliminate many wrinkles. But fine linens made of natural fibers do wrinkle, particularly when new. As they become older and softer, you will find that they wrinkle less.For both bedding and table linens, using a good steam iron will make ironing easier;
Berries and fruit: If the stain is still wet, sprinkle with salt and gentle liquid soap. Let sit for a couple of hours, and rinse well.
Blood: Attend to bloodstains immediately. Rinse well in cold water (never hot—it will permanently set the stain), then try one of the following: a) sprinkle the stain with unflavored meat tenderizer; or b) blot on hydrogen peroxide with a damp cloth, allow to bubble, then wipe with a fresh cloth. Repeat if necessary. For dried bloodstain: soak overnight in cold water and two cups of salt. Wash as usual.
Butter or margarine: Mix one teaspoon of detergent with warm water. Apply to spot and blot. You may need to repeat a few times. Or mix one part white vinegar and two parts water. Saturate the stain and blot until dry. Wash as usual.
Candle wax on table linens: Gently peel away the wax that can easily be removed with your fingernail. If the wax is soft, harden with an ice cube. Place the item between two sheets of brown paper, and press with a warm iron; the remaining wax will be absorbed by the paper. If the wax is colored, wash with a bleaching agent.
Coffee or tea: Apply a borax solution (1 part borax to six parts water) directly to the stain, then wash in warm, soapy water.
Grease: Do not allow grease stains to set! Sprinkle fresh grease stains with baking soda or cornstarch and leave for a couple of hours until the powder gets thick. Scrape away and repeat the process. Brush off the powder and launder as usual.
Grass (on tablecloths): Mix one-third cup vinegar and two-thirds cup water. Apply to stain and blot. Or pre-soak in hydrogen peroxide and launder as usual.
Lipstick: Scrape off as much as you can with a dull knife. Use a pre-wash spray and rub with a clean white towel. Wash as usual.
Mildew: Apply white vinegar and lemon juice to kill the mildew. Let the item sit in the sun for a few hours. Wash as usual, but separately
Scorch marks: Treat the same way as mildew, but drying in the sun is not necessary.
Wine: White wine is easily removed with normal laundering. Red wine stains can be handled two ways: a) rub salt on the stain, and soak in cold water; if the stain is stubborn, rub the salt into it to remove; or b) saturate the stain with club soda until it disappears.
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