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Here at Eastern Accents, we take our fine linens very seriously. From cool and crisp percale to smooth and silky sateen, each of our exquisite sheeting collections is designed to keep you comfortable every night for many years. Proper care and cleaning is essential, so we have put together this guide to make washing your sheets as simple as possible
What are “fine linens”?
“Fine linens” is a blanket term for high-quality textiles made from luxury natural materials such as Egyptian cotton, flax linen, and silk. The term typically refers to bedding, bath and dining textiles. We at Eastern Accents use this to refer to our many collections of sheeting and other washables.
How to Wash Fine Linens
A quick note before you begin: Eastern Accents’ fine linen products are made of natural fibers, such as Egyptian cotton and stone-washed linen, which have a tendency to shrink 4-6% from their original, unwashed state. This is completely normal! We actually make our washable items slightly larger than advertised to account for this shrinkage, so you can rest easy.
1. The Right Machine
First things first, when washing our fine linens, we recommend that they be cleaned in a front-loading machine. Front-loading washing machines are better at removing dirt and stains than top-loading machines, they handle bulky items better, and they spin faster which reduces drying times—a perk for fine linens especially!
2. Into the Wash
The best way to machine wash linens is with warm water on a gentle cycle, using mild detergent free of colors, dyes, and fragrances. Never pour liquid detergent or soap directly onto your textiles, this can keep the soap from distributing properly and even cause staining. If your washing machine does not have a dedicated detergent tray, you can either pour detergent in when the tub is full of water or dilute the detergent.
Pro Tip: One cup of white vinegar in the rinse water removes all traces of soap and leaves fabrics smelling fresh!
Do not use chlorine bleach, lightening detergents, or dry-cleaning chemicals. Bleach can cause the fibers to weaken over time. Do not use fabric softeners. These only coat the fibers with chemicals, and make them "appear" to be soft.
For stain removal, only use enzyme-reactive removers such as Shout Triple Acting Stain Remover Spray or Tide PureClean Stain Remover.
3. Out to Dry
The ideal way to dry linens is to air dry. A clothesline or rod is perfect for air drying, but you can use a railing or shower rod as well. If you must use a dryer, tumble dry on low for only a few minutes and do not dry completely. During the last few minutes of a dryer cycle, the fabric overheats and dries out, making it brittle and lifeless over time. Always remove linens from the dryer while still damp, and then iron. For best results, use a spray bottle with water as opposed to the iron's steam feature.
