Bed Linen Care

Protect Your Investment

Sleeping on fine quality linens is always a pleasure; caring for them can be too, if you follow some simple suggestions for ensuring their proper care. In return, you will prolong the life of your bed linens, while preserving their beautiful appearance. While SFERRA linens are made from natural fibers that generally can be machine-washed at home, please be sure to read the care label on each item for best results.

Machine Washing

Pre-wash your linens before first use. Separate your fine linens from other items in the wash, especially those containing polyester, which tends to create pilling, and items with heavy zippers, which can damage the fabric. Separate light and dark colors. Avoid overloading the washing machine, which can cause fibers to break down from excessive abrasion and agitation.Wash most linens in warm water on a gentle cycle with a cold-water rinse. Be careful to pretreat any stains prior to washing.

Detergent

Use a mild detergent without added bleach or whiteners. Do not pour detergent directly on textiles; rather, add it to the water as the wash tub fills or dilute detergent with water, then add linens. Unless linens are very soiled, you only need to use half the recommended amount of detergent.

Bleaching

Chlorine bleach can weaken fibers and cause them to yellow. If white fabrics need bleaching, use an oxygen-based bleach.

Drying

While line drying outdoors is gentle, safe, and imbues linens with the fresh scent of the outdoors and natural bleaching of the sun, it is not always practical. You can machine dry most linens on low heat, but be sure to check the care label. Shake out damp linens before placing in the dryer. Never use a high heat setting, which will weaken the fibers, cause shrinkage, and shorten the life of your linens. Remove items from dryer promptly, while still damp, to minimize wrinkles. Smooth and fold, or press with an iron if desired.

Chemicals

Some hair and skin products, such as acne lotions, face creams or toothpastes that contain oxidizing agents, may cause discoloration of colored sheets and towels. When using such products, it's safest to sleep on white bed linens.

Shrinkage

All natural fibers will shrink to some extent, but in most instances we generously overcut our products to allow for shrinkage. Do not wash or, especially, dry linens on a hot setting, which is most likely to cause shrinkage. Follow instructions on care label.

Ironing

To restore the lustrous face of sateen fabrics, iron on the reverse side. Iron linens while still slightly damp. Use a steam iron on a warm/hot setting for cotton; use a hot setting for linen and a water spritzer if needed. For embroidered linens, iron them on the reverse side atop a towel to preserve the three-dimensional effect of the embroidery. Use a press cloth to protect delicate lace and cutwork.

Hand Washing

If the label says hand launder, never machine wash. Hand wash in gentle soap; rinse thoroughly in clean water to eliminate all soap residue, then line dry, lay flat (on towels) or hang to dry. Avoid wringing linens.

Professional Cleaning

Professional hand washing is recommended for the most delicate linens those with heavy embellishments or embroideries; heirlooms or worn linens. Be sure to use a reputable launderer who knows how to launder delicate linens.

Dry Cleaning

Dry cleaning is recommended for luxury fibers such as cashmere, merino wool and alpaca, and also to avoid excessive shrinkage on formal top-of-bed items like our Italian matelassé blanket covers. Be sure to use a professional dry cleaner with experience in natural fibers and luxury linens.

Storing Linens

Store bed linens in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Linens stored long-term should be wrapped in white cotton, muslin (old pillow cases work well) or acid-free paper. Avoid storing linens in plastic bags or boxes, which can cause permanent yellowing; natural fibers need to breathe. Cedar chests can also yellow or streak fabrics. Store linen tablecloths rolled on cardboard tubes or hung on hangers (without plastic) to prevent crease marks from setting, which can weaken fibers.