In Michele Clise's book, The Linen Closet, she talks about all the things one must do to maintain a top-notch linen closet. I'd like to share some of her thoughts with you since she and I do the exact things to maintain our antique linens.
WASHING: "Washing your linens can be a pleasurable task, and you shouldn't feel intimidated by the thought of laundering your prized pieces. I generally don't entrust my own linens to commercial cleaners. I would rather care for them myself than risk having them damaged or lost.
First determine which piece can be machine-washed and which needs to be washed by hand. Lacy or fragile items should be hand washed in warm water with a gentle soap such as Ivory Flakes or Orvus, a non-detergent cleanser commonly used for old textiles."
DRYING: "If your dryer has a low-heat, low tumble cycle, you might choose to dry sturdier linens by machine. I prefer to line dry my linens. Whenever possible, I hang the wash outside because nothing compares with the clean scent of bed linens and tablecloths dried in sunshine and fresh air."
IRONING: "To ensure successful and easy ironing, it is necessary to first 'season' the linens. This is a simple process of sprinkling the fabric with hot water, rolling it up in a clean, white cloth, and setting it aside for several hours. Seasoning makes the linen fibers much more pliable. When you are through, roll up the dampened linens in a cloth and leave them for an hour or more...overnight is best. Keeping them in the refrigerator during this will make ironing even easier. When I am delayed from ironing for a bried time, I store batches in the refrigerator. A large clean sheet placed under the ironing board will protect larger pieces draped on your board, as well as smaller pieces that may fall to the floor.
It is best to use an ironing board that has been padded with one or two layers of flannel or lanket over which you have tautly pinned fine, unbleached muslin or a clean used sheet.
Your iron should be very clean. Flush thoroughly with a vinegar and water solution to remove any minerals that may have accumulated over time. Be sure the soleplate is clean and smooth. If it is sticky from starch residue lay a little fine salt on a flat surface and rub the iron over it. If the fabric hisses under the iron, the piece is too wet. Keep your iron moving to avoid scorching fabrics.
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