Think Table Linens

A great heirloom item that is cherished by many is fine Swedish table linens. Given to a couple as a wedding present Swedish fine table linens can become part of the family history, passed down through generations. Since they can become a cherished part of the family story, it makes sense to protect them by thoughtfully caring for them.

One of the wonderful traits of Swedish table linens is that they only look better with regular use. That said it is important to be sure that they are properly cleaned after use. Linen is a very durable fabric, making it easy to remove the stains and wrinkles that are an inevitable part of regular use.

The natural properties of linen, with its unique fiber weave, make laundering simple as stains are easily released. For best results you should always use a very mild detergent and wash your linens in warm water. To avoid damage to the fabric you should not wash them in hot water.

Using hot water could actually cause the fabric to disintegrate, especially if you are dealing with an old heirloom piece of fabric. When stains are found on your table linens one of the best solutions is to soak the item in cold water after rubbing some salt on the stain. While the stain may appear tough at first, a little elbow grease on your part combined with the work of the salt and water should be able to remove it.

For best results you should remove stains as quickly as possible. You will actually be able to remove most stains with plain water. Certain types of stains have special tricks that can help you do the job.

Berry Stains Release the stain by soaking the item in boiling water, then launder as usual.

Coffee Stains Soak the stain in boiling water. For colored fabrics an effective trick is to spread a whisked egg yolk on the stain prior to a warm water soak.

Grease Stains Sprinkle the entire area of the stain with potato flour and then let that sit overnight. You can wash the item normally the next day after removing the flour.

Wine Stains Cold water should be used for the treatment of white wine stains while salt should be sprinkled on red wine stains.

Again, most stains should be easy to remove with water alone if treated immediately. You should never rub anything onto your linen as rubbing could cause the stain to set permanently and destroy the fibers of your linens.

Fine Swedish table linens do not usually require ironing, although you may want to touch up the fabric while it is damp for a special occasion. It is best to skip the dryer and have your tablecloth dry naturally on a clothes line. When hanging the linen try and keep it in the shade as direct sunlight can do damage to the fabric, no matter what color it is.

Your tablecloth should be either stored or shaded when not in use. It is best to roll your Swedish linens as opposed to folding them when you do put them in storage. This is especially true for linens that do not see regular use as the folds in the fabric can cause the linen to wear and break down.

Passing down the find Swedish linens in your family can become a long standing tradition if they are cared for properly. This tablecloth can be a great heirloom and a wonderful piece of the family story. It tells the story of the family and the meals that were shared using it.

By thoughtfully caring for your fine Swedish table linens you can add to the history of the piece. If you are looking to purchase new linens think about contacting The Redhes Weavery in Sweden. Founded in the 1940s it is dedicated to keeping alive the ancient Swedish traditions of quality and patterning. The linens that can be purchased from them are of the utmost quality.