Category: Linen Care

It’s summer; going to the beach?  Vacation wouldn’t be complete without your husband’s linen suit and your white linen dress. Don’t show up in a disheveled mess! Follow these tips for packing linen from the linen pros at Ulster Linen! We have 4 generations of linen expertise to guide us. If it’s linen we’ve handled it!

Packing Linen 101

1. Don’t start with an uphill battle! Set yourself up for success and iron linen garments before packing for a trip.
2. Stuff it! Stuff sleeves of garments with tissue paper or clean socks and unmentionables. 😉 You can use regular tissue paper for packing for travel.
3. Cover your garments with plastic dry cleaning bags to help prevent wrinkling.
4. Fold or hang garments in luggage at the last possible minute. When hanging garments in a garment bag or fold-over luggage, pull arms of jackets and blouses around to the front.
5. Unpack and hang up garments as soon as possible upon arrival.
6. Use a travel iron to press out any creases that may have developed in travel. Do not try to steam out wrinkles with a garment steamer; wrinkles must be pressed out with an iron.

Storing Linen 101

Before you start packing up linen for storage, be sure to follow these few tips from Ulster Linen.  Ulster Linen has immense linen knowledge and history that has been passed down through the years.  It is because of this reason that we are one of the top providers for quality linen and your one stop shop for a truly superior product. Not to mention that we have also handled every type of linen imaginable!

1. Always launder or dry clean linen before storing. Wash it. Wash it real good!
2. Soiled linen encourages mildew, so linens must be clean before storing. Ventilation, light and lack of available food discourage mildew growth. If mildew does attack your packed linens, brush the mold off outdoors to avoid scattering spores in your house. Then soak the linen item in a solution of oxygen bleach and water before laundering. If possible, dry in the sun.
3. Be sure to rinse thoroughly all soap and detergent from linen items to avoid formation of “age spots,” caused by the oxidation of cellulose, linen’s primary component. There are no anti-aging creams for linen so give it a good rinse to keep the aging in check!
4. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. We mean it! No dingy yucky basements!
5. Use pure linen, cotton or muslin, not synthetics, as covers or garment bags instead of the drycleaner plastic bags.
6. Use acid-free tissue paper, not regular tissue paper. The acids in regular tissue paper can yellow linen.
7. Do not pack linens in plastic bags- fumes from petroleum-based polyurethane can rot and streak the fabric.  And avoid those cedar chests and cardboard boxes. Cedar fumes and the acids in unvarnished wood yellow linen, as does the acid in cardboard.
8. When storing for a long time, refold the packed linen occasionally. Folding goes quickest when done to music!

Stay connected to Ulster Linen

Be sure to follow our Blog for weekly updates, tips and advice about all things Linen! Follow us on Social Media and be sure to email us if you have any questions! Sales@UlsterLinen.com

Follow us!

Facebook: @UlsterLinenCompany  https://www.facebook.com/UlsterLinenCompany/

Instagram: @UlsterLinenCompany  https://www.instagram.com/ulsterlinencompany/

Are you worried about wearing your linen for fear of dreaded stains?

Don’t fret, Ulster Linen has immense linen knowledge and history that has been passed down through the years.  It is because of this reason that we are one of the top providers for quality linen and your one stop shop for a truly superior product. Not to mention that we have also handled every linen stain under the sun!

If dry cleaning is recommended, choose a dry cleaner who does work on the premises. Ask whether solvents are regularly changed. If white linens turn gray or yellow, it may be an indication that the solvents need to be replaced.

Probably the most quoted reason for choosing dry cleaning over laundering is that it is easier, and less time-consuming. The decision rests with the consumer if the manufacturer’s care label offers the choice of laundering or dry cleaning.

If you are going to launder your Linen, follow our simple instructions for removing stains. We have a story for just about every stain! So keep reading for the best tips per stain offender!

Ballpoint Pen

Did you have a late night at the office? The dreaded ballpoint ink stain is sure to send your favorite linen to the trash. Think again! Hold the stain to remove against a towel, spray closely from behind with aerosol hair spray. Ink should transfer to towel. Presto!

Beverages

It was a beautiful linen tablecloth. One you hoped to have for years and years to come. Its too bad that Aunt Betty’s sweet tea took a spill all over it. Don’t fret! To remove stain from linen, simply soak in cool water. Re-wash with stain remover. Launder using chlorine bleach (if safe for fabric) or oxygen bleach. Voila!

Grease Spots

What a great day for a BBQ! Hot dogs, hamburgers and GREASE SPOTS! Don’t wait, pre-treat with pre-wash stain remover or liquid laundry detergent. For heavy grease stains, place stain to remove face down on clean paper towels. Apply cleaning agent to back of stain. Replace paper towels under stain frequently. Let dry, rinse and launder using hottest water safe for fabric. Bam!

Perspiration

It was a BIG interview on a hot day in August! Linen was the perfect fabric choice to wear to keep your body cool. Sadly no matter how you shake it, perspiration stains can be tough to remove! To get your clothes back in tip top shape use pre-wash stain remover or rub with a bar of soap. If color of fabric has changed, apply ammonia to fresh stains, white vinegar to old removing stains and rinse. Launder using the hottest water safe for fabric. Swoosh!

Red Wine

Wine tasting sounded like a great idea, until the wine found it’s way on your new linen pants. Hurry and find the nearest saltshaker and cover the stain to remove with salt if the stain is fresh, then rinse with cool water. If the stain has dried, try club soda. Phew!

Dairy

Little Timmy’s milk bottle spilled on your favorite linen scarf. Ulster Linen’s tips have you covered! Soak your linen in a product containing enzymes for at least 30 minutes (hours for aged stains). Then Launder. No need to cry over spilled milk!

For a full listing of stains and the best way to remove them from your linen visit our Linen Care section of our website! Chocolate, collar scuff, lipstick, blood and MORE! You name it, we’ve got a tip for cleaning it out of your linen.

Stay connected to Ulster Linen

Be sure to follow our Blog for weekly updates, tips and advice about all things Linen! Follow us on Social Media and be sure to email us if you have any questions! Sales@UlsterLinen.com

Follow us!

Facebook: @UlsterLinenCompany  https://www.facebook.com/UlsterLinenCompany/

Instagram: @UlsterLinenCompany  https://www.instagram.com/ulsterlinencompany/

Your Ulster Linen textiles are begging for you to launder them! Don’t fear laundering linen. You have the power to enhance its natural beauty by simply doing your laundry. Follow these few steps to become a linen-laundering expert!

Laundering Linen

Don’t be scared! Linen is a wonderful fabric to launder. Someone who is knowledgeable when it comes to linen care will choose to wash linen articles because they know linen, as a natural fiber, launders beautifully. Table linens, handkerchiefs and bed linen launder especially well! This is because the more linen is washed, the softer and more luminous it becomes. Linen’s luminous quality is caused by nodes on the flax fibers, which reflect light.

Shirts and other garments worn close to the body are easily washed. Freshly washed linen has a naturally clean fragrance and gives one the sense of well being. In the case of hand or machine-washing, use a sufficient amount of water since linen is very absorbent.

What to Use to Launder Linen?

1. Use pure soap or gentle detergent when laundering linens. Soap works best in soft water. (In hard water it forms curds that makes fabrics dingy and stiff).
2. Launder any stains when fresh. If allowed to set, stains may be impossible to remove at a later date.
3. Use oxygen-type bleaches for white linen, instead of chlorine bleaches, which can cause yellowing.
4. Select a water temperature between warm to hot, depending on the care instructions.
5. Place delicate or fringed linens in a pillowcase before putting them into a washing machine.
6. Whether hand or machine washing, be sure to rinse the linen item completely in lots of water to remove all soap, detergent and residual soil. This will help to avoid formation of “age spots” which are caused by oxidation of cellulose (linen’s primary component).

Drying Linen

A variety of drying methods are recommended for linen: line drying, machine drying or rolling in terry towels.

1. (Pro-tip) Whatever method you use, remember to remove the linen from the dryer or the towels while it is still damp. If linen dries thoroughly, it becomes brittle and takes several hours to recover its natural moisture and full flexibility.
2. Avoid wringing out linen before drying! This is not the movies, no need to wring out your linen!
3. To keep white linens white, try drying them in the sun.

Now you are ready. Reference this blog anytime you have questions! Be sure to tune in every week to learn more about the incredible and versatile Ulster Linen. Next week we will give you tips for stain removal! Here is a sneak peak tip…

How to get rid of those pesky PERSPIRATION stains!

Use pre-wash stain remover or rub with bar of soap. If color of fabric has changed, apply ammonia to fresh stains, white vinegar to old stains and rinse. Launder using hottest water safe for fabric. Want to know how to get red wine out? You’ll have to check in on next week’s blog!

Do you have more questions about laundering your linen? We are here to answer your questions! Being a 4th generation business, Ulster Linen has immense linen knowledge and history that has been passed down through the years.  It is because of this reason that we are one of the top providers for quality linen and your one stop shop for a truly superior product.

Stay connected to Ulster Linen

Be sure to follow our Blog for weekly updates, tips and advice about all things Linen! Follow us on Social Media and be sure to email us if you have any questions! Sales@UlsterLinen.com

Follow us!

www.UlsterLinen.com

Facebook: @UlsterLinenCompany  https://www.facebook.com/UlsterLinenCompany/

Instagram: @UlsterLinenCompany  https://www.instagram.com/ulsterlinencompany/

Don’t fear linen! Embrace it and all its incredible features. Follow these simple steps and you will have the most well-kept linen around.

Most people regard ironing as a chore. But ironing linen can become a less intimidating task if you follow these simple steps from Ulster Linen.

Ironing your Linen

1. Damp is key! Do your ironing when your linen is damp. Steam ironing dry linen is less effective than dry or steam ironing dampened linens. Sometimes a professional steamer is the only appliance that provides enough steam to remove wrinkles from heavier linens. The steam from a household iron might not be enough. If linen is taken out of the dryer or off the line while still damp and then ironed immediately, the chore ceases to be a chore at all.
2. Can’t iron right away? Don’t worry! Store your linen items in a plastic bag in the refrigerator or freezer from 6 to 24 hours before ironing. This will make them easier to iron when you are ready and will prevent mildew.
3. Check check check!  Be sure to check that the soleplate of your iron is clean and smooth for quicker and easier ironing. If you have a steam iron, check for mineral deposits, which can cause brown spotting. Check your ironing board and its cover. For speedy ironing, use well padded boards with smooth heat-reflective covers.
4. To spray or not to spray? This is personal preference, try it both ways and see what you prefer! Use spray starch (if desired) and iron with a steam iron at a medium to hot setting. Starch provides extra crispness, particularly to napkins to be folded into fancy shapes. For a softer look, select spray-on fabric sizing instead. In a pinch, smooth things over with spray-on wrinkle remover.
5. Iron on the wrong side first, then on the right side to bring out the sheen, especially damasks and light-colored linens. Iron dark linens on the wrong side only.
6. Choose a temperature setting compatible with the fabric weight. Pure linen can withstand the highest temperature setting on your iron. Always test an inconspicuous corner first.
7. Iron linen until smooth but not dry. Once wrinkles are gone, hang the linen item until it is bone dry.

Ironing Specialty Linen

1. Follow the same rule, start with damp linen.
2. When ironing embroidered linen, keep the embroidery stitches rounded and dimensional by pressing item on the wrong side atop a soft towel.
3. Use a press cloth to safeguard delicate lace and cutwork. A press cloth also helps to avoid pressmarks over seams, hems and pockets.
4. Place a table next to the ironing board when ironing large tablecloths. Roll finished sections of the cloth over the table rather than letting it pile up under the ironing board.
5. Minimize creasing ironed tablecloths by rolling them around a tube or hanging them.

Look at that! Now you are ready. Reference this blog anytime you have questions! Be sure to tune in next week to learn how to launder your Ulster Linen! We break it down for you!

Do you have more questions about ironing your linen? We are here to answer your questions! Being a 4th generation business, Ulster Linen has immense linen knowledge and history that has been passed down through the years.  It is because of this reason that we are one of the top providers for quality linen and your one stop shop for a truly superior product.

Stay connected to Ulster Linen

Do you want more information about Ulster Linen? Be sure to follow our Blog for weekly updates, tips and advice about all things Linen! Follow us on Social Media and be sure to email us if you have any questions! Sales@UlsterLinen.com

UlsterLinen.com

Follow us!

Facebook: @UlsterLinenCompany  https://www.facebook.com/UlsterLinenCompany/

Instagram: @UlsterLinenCompany  https://www.instagram.com/ulsterlinencompany/