Linen Care Starts Before Bedtime
The Essential Pre-Wash
Before indulging in comfortable bliss, be sure to give your new linens a gentle first wash. This helps to set the fibers, enhancing their durability and preserving their luxurious appearance. Fully unfold your linens, use a cold pre-soak cycle, and opt for a minimal amount of liquid detergent (we recommend the Le Blanc line of Laundry Wash products). After this, follow the rest of our care instructions for future care.
Rotate, Rotate, Rotate
To keep your bed linens in peak condition, we recommend rotating between three sets of bedding: one on the bed, one in the wash, and one stored neatly in your linen closet. This allows the fabric to rest between uses and ensures even wear across all your pieces.
Take Off Your Jewelry, Darling!
Before settling into bed, remove any jewelry or accessories that might snag on the delicate fabric. This simple step will protect your linens from unnecessary wear and tear, keeping them snag free.
Gentle Handling for Embellished Fabrics
For those intricate hems, lace details, or delicate embroidery, remember to handle with care. When putting on pillowcases or drawing up sheets, avoid pulling on decorative elements. Instead, grasp the fabric below these areas to protect the fine threads from unnecessary stress.
Laundering Instructions: A Gentle Approach
Machine Washing: Your Linens Deserve the Best
- Always consult the care label before washing.
- Separate light and dark linens to preserve their pristine hues.
- To maintain consistency in color and texture, always launder matching linens or like items together—whether they need it or not.
- Use a gentle cycle with warm water and a cold-water rinse.
- Pre-treat any stains, but do not use bleach—it weakens fibers and can cause yellowing.
- Opt for a mild, bleach-free detergent without optical brighteners or fabric softeners. We recommend the LeBlanc line of Laundry Wash Products.
- Never pour detergent directly onto your linens; instead, add it to the water as the tub fills, or dilute it before adding.
- For lightly soiled linens, you only need half the recommended amount of detergent. Your linens will thank you for the extra gentleness.
- Do not overfill your machine! Manufacturers recommend that half full is max capacity. Overloading causes extra strain and tension that could result in tearing, and the fabrics don’t get thoroughly cleaned.
Zippers, Clasps, and Hooks, Oh My!
When washing, keep your linens away from items with zippers, buttons, hooks, or rough textures, such as denim, lingerie, or outerwear. These can snag and abrade the fine fibers of your luxury linens, leading to damage. Always wash linens with similarly soft and weighted items.
Softness: It Comes Naturally
Avoid using fabric softeners (whether liquid or dryer sheets) on your linens. These products can coat and weaken the delicate fibers over time. Instead, let your linens soften naturally with each use and wash—they'll only grow more sumptuous over time. We recommend using LeBlanc dryer sachets as an alternative.
Drying: Keep It Low and Lovely
- Natural fibers wrinkle, but you can minimize this by line drying in soft sunlight—it’s gentle on the fabric and the sun acts as a natural bleach.
- If using a dryer, shake out and smooth your linens before placing them inside. Avoid dryer sheets.
- Use the lowest heat setting, as high heat can shrink and weaken fibers.
- Remove your linens while still slightly damp for the best wrinkle-free finish, and either air dry them or press with an iron while damp.
- Consider drying fitted sheets alone so that other items don’t get balled up inside the elastic corners.
Ironing: The Final Flourish
- Make sure your iron is clean to avoid unsightly brown spots.
- Iron linens while slightly damp using a steam iron—warm/hot for cotton and hot for linen.
- For sateen or jacquard woven fabrics, press on the reverse side to restore a lustrous finish.
- Iron embroidered items on the reverse side atop a soft white towel to protect the design.
- For delicate lace, use a press cloth for extra protection.
Pro Tip: The Freezer Trick
If you can’t iron your linens right away, roll them in a towel or place them in a plastic bag and pop them in the freezer for up to 24 hours. This keeps them fresh and wrinkle-free until you’re ready to press.
Stain Removal: Spot-Treating with Style
Here are a few chic tricks for keeping your linens spotless:
- Candle Wax: Scrape off the wax with a dull knife, then iron between absorbent paper.
- Coffee, Tea, or Soda: Soak in hot water and pre-treat with a stain remover.
- White Wine: Dab with club soda and blot against a clean white towel.
- Red Wine: Cover with salt, rinse with cool water, and repeat as needed.
- Oil or Grease: Blot, then pre-treat with detergent or sprinkle with cornstarch.
- Ink: Spray the back of the stain with hairspray and blot with a towel.
Storing Your Linens: A Breath of Fresh Air
Natural fibers love to breathe, so store your bed linens in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated space. Keep them out of direct sunlight, and avoid plastic bags or cedar chests, which can cause permanent yellowing. Wrapping linens in white cotton or acid-free paper is ideal for long-term storage. We recommend linen storage totes with labels for keeping your linen closet organized.
Final Notes: Beauty Meets Practicality
Hair and Beauty Products
Certain beauty products, like acne treatments or toothpaste with oxidizing agents, can discolor colored linens. To be safe, sleep on white sheets when using such products.
Shrinkage
All natural fibers shrink to some degree, but our linens are generously sized to account for this. Avoid hot water and high-heat drying to prevent excessive shrinkage.
Hand Washing
For linens labeled "hand wash," avoid the machine. Wash gently in a clean sink or tub with mild laundry soap, rinse thoroughly, and air dry flat.
Dry Cleaning
For luxurious fibers like cashmere, wool, or alpaca, dry cleaning is best. Always choose a professional cleaner who specializes in natural fibers.
With these tips, your luxury linens will remain as breathtaking as the day you first laid eyes on them—ready to grace your home with elegance, comfort, and charm for many years to come.
