The memory of someone telling us "a how to" can be a lifesaver. Over the years, these tried and true helpful hints have earned a special place in our lives. In the garden, in the kitchen, while out camping and even doing crafts we rely on others experiences to make even the smallest task that much easier. We hope the hints and tips that we pass along to you are some you may have forgotten about. And the new ones you will keep in your memory bank for later use and to be shared with family and friends.

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Storing & Caring for your Fine Linens

Imagine having a whole room in your home for nothing but linens! That was the way of life for affluent families of the 1800's. Most people of today have one or two such pieces of linen that may have been inherited from mothers and grandmothers or picked up quite by luck.

However you have come to posses them, they are treasures to be cared for; and, unless they have tremendous monetary or sentimental value - use them!! Nothing can give your table a sophisticated look like linen whether it's a tablecloth, place mats or napkins.

Keep an extra box of table salt on hand. This is the “go to plan” if someone spills something on the cloth. Discretely sprinkle salt over fresh spill while the cloth is still on the table. It is surprising how much of the stain will be absorbed by the salt. As soon as you can, soak the soiled whiteblinen in tepid water and non-chlorine bleach. Wash gently, preferably by hand. Really precious pieces definitely need to be laundered by hand. It is a known fact that some museums use distilled water and no detergent to care for the pieces they have. If you have damask tablecloths and napkins that are in sound condition, they can be washed in your machine on the gentle cycle. Either by hand or machine, rinsing all of the soap from your pieces is very important. Dry on a clothesline or a gentle setting of your dryer.

Your linens do not need to be dried completely as they are easier to iron (yes, iron) when they are damp. Can't get to the ironing right away? That is easily remedied. Put your damp linen in a plastic bag and put in the fridge or freezer. When you iron, make sure your iron is clean, set on the hottest setting and remember to not use steam if your linen is damp. Press until dry. Do not iron creases into your linens as this will cause stress on those areas and possible damage.

It is quite easy to care for these wonderful pieces that adorn the dining room table during special occasions. When storing linens keep them wrapped in acid free paper and preferably in an acid free container or on shelves lined with cotton sheeting. Rotate and refold often.

Scents for your Linens

Bring back memories and make all your linens smell fresh too.
The musty scented smell from the pillows and bed sheets at your grandmothers probably came from herbs.

Lavender was used to keep the linen fresh smelling, to soothe troubled minds to help with a peaceful sleep and to ward off moths in the linen closet.
Other herbs that may have been used are Woodruff which would give a fresh cut hay scent or sprigs of Rosemary.

These memories are yours for the making with our Lavender Sachet, Lavender Baskets, Orange Pomanders, or our Cinnamon Shapes, to freshen your linen closet. Or perhaps you would like to add scented "Drawer Liners" you can make yourself.

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