Maintenance guide

A guarantee of comfort and well-being in each room of the house, household linen contributes to the style and charm of our interior when it is not simply its soul.

It is the attentive and meticulous maintenance that you will provide to it that will allow you to keep intact the touch, the look and the colors that won you over to it.

Because well-maintained household linen will better resist the wear and tear of time, here are some precautions to take before its very first use and then throughout its life.

General principles

Soaking new laundry

In order to maintain your laundry's long-lasting feel and shine, we recommend soaking for a few hours before the very first wash. It is advisable to soak both white and colored laundry in cold, clear water without any detergent or Detergent.
This first soak is particularly important for table or office linens that are exposed to stains during use. Indeed, this first bath in clear water rids the fabric of impurities found there such as dust and especially of the finish which has an unfortunate tendency to “fix” stains.
Of course, wool and silk should never soak, nor should fabrics that bleed, pieces with metal parts and of course, leather.

Soaking stained laundry

Stained laundry requires soaking in soapy water before machine washing, in order to dissolve and fade the stains before washing. For effective soaking, pour a little Detergent in the bottom of the basin or sink, add lukewarm water and mix to dissolve the Detergent before adding the laundry which must not be packed.
Never soak white and colored laundry together.
Finally, never use phosphate-based detergents in an enamel sink or tray.

Washing

First of all, let's open the doors a little! If the linen you buy is new, it doesn't necessarily mean clean!

Think a little about the conditions of weaving the fabric, the storage of the pieces of fabric before making the finished product; think of the hands that handled it before it joined your wardrobe...

We agree: a first wash is necessary before any use!

If advertising has been praising the merits of products that prevent color transfer when washing for several years, we advise you before making the Detergent, to sort the laundry by separating light laundry and colored laundry.
Modern detergents allow you to get rid of stains and bacteria at low temperatures, we also recommend cleaning at moderate temperatures. So check the temperatures so as not to damage the laundry by washing in too hot water.
Colored laundry should be washed with a Detergent specific (without bleaching agents).
Remember to turn it inside out to preserve the vibrancy of the colors. This also prevents wear or polishing of the fabric on the right side when it comes into contact with the drum of the washing machine.
For ideal washing, the laundry must be able to move in the drum.
Also note that machine washing is always preferable to hand washing, if the care label allows it. If you have the slightest doubt about the color fastness of a textile, we advise you to do a test before putting it in the machine. To carry out this test, moisten an inconspicuous part of the product (hem, interior seam) and iron it by placing a piece of fabric, a tissue or white tea towel on it. If some color has been deposited on the fabric or paper, wash the product by hand in cold water and rinse in cold water. If it bleeds a lot, or if the color has changed, then it is best to dry clean it.
Before washing you can use a special pre-wash stain remover product. Wash household linen separately, in particular do not mix it with polyester-based items. Polyester forms pills that cling to natural fibers, which alters the softness and flexibility of textiles.
Also be careful of clothes with buttons and zippers which risk damaging more delicate laundry during washing.
Detergents containing bleaching agents should not be used on colored textiles as these may dull their shine or change their coloring.
Wool and silk should never be washed with a product containing enzymes.
Large items (blankets, duvets, duvets) may not be stirred sufficiently in the machine drum. Place a few tennis balls at the same time as the item to be washed so that the balls hit the fabric, as the washerwomen used to do in the past with a beater in front of their laundry.
For hand washing, prefer a Detergent liquid, used sparingly.
Finally, very important, never leave your laundry once wrung out in the drum of the machine! In fact, whatever the quality of the rinse and the speed of the spin, your laundry remains loaded with water and mottling will inevitably appear in the folds caught by the laundry in the drum. If you cannot hang out your laundry as soon as the washing cycle stops, opt instead for a "rinse full" stop of the machine which you will follow with a spin just before hanging out your laundry.

The Shrinkage

While most weaves such as jacquard woven table linen or honeycomb napkins now receive a treatment that limits shrinkage to around 3%, it is normal to see shrinkage of 4 to 8% after the first wash on untreated natural materials such as cotton or linen. Think about it when purchasing!

This probability of shrinkage has a name: manufacturers speak of “dimensional tolerance after washing”. Very wisely, these same manufacturers generally take this possible shrinkage into account and offer products that are a little larger than advertised. Be careful, however, with large pieces of fabric and tight-weave canvases which are never treated beforehand.

The Spin

If spinning by hand remains ideal so as not to break the fibers by twisting too hard, it is obviously very restrictive and very incompatible with the use of a washing machine.

However, as much as possible, avoid high spin speeds which damage your laundry and break the fibers.
Take your laundry out of your machine quickly to prevent it from bunching up. Unwrinkle it by flattening certain areas, including the edges of pillowcases and sheets and the ends of tablecloths and napkins, then fold it carefully.
If you cannot hang out your laundry as soon as the spin is completed, postpone it using the “rinse hold” function on your washing machine. Never leave laundry, even wrung out, in the drum of your washing machine or in a basin at the risk of seeing traces of marbling in the folds which, resulting from a change in color (dyeing), will no longer disappear.

Drying

Ideally dry your laundry on a clothesline in the fresh air. You will pick up fresh, lightly wrinkled laundry.
So, although we advise you not to use the dryer in order to preserve your household linen for the long term, the use of the latter nevertheless proves to be very useful in our modern lives and, it must be admitted, particularly beneficial to toweling towels which are fluffy and soft!
If you opt to use the dryer, properly programming it will give you satisfactory results and will leave your laundry soft and not creased. Don't dry your laundry at too high a temperature and set your dryer to use the cool cycle at the end, which helps remove wrinkles. In fact, most dryers have a cycle that only sends air without heat.
Items filled with down, wool, cotton or even silk (duvets, comforters, pillows, etc.) must only be dried flat and protected from direct sunlight (do not spread out or hang in order to maintain an even distribution of the filling). In general, we advise you to dry any bedding product (duvets, pillows, comforters, mattress toppers) flat so that it does not deform and maintains a perfect distribution of its filling.

Stain Removal

Some basic precautions:

Always refer to the washing symbols on the label and deal with a stain as quickly as possible so that it does not become encrusted as it dries. A little soap and water is usually enough.
For persistent stains, it is advisable to put a stain remover on the stain before washing or simply rub the stain with soap before washing it again in the machine at 90°C.
Most greasy stains come off when you increase the washing temperature.
For difficult stains on white, you can add bleach to the washing water following the prescribed doses.

No one is safe from a stain and the issue deserves our full attention, we have listed for you the actions to take for each type of stain in a section specially dedicated to stain removal!

See here our “ Stain Removal Guide ».

Ironing

Washed and dried properly, your laundry will not crease. However, fine and delicate textiles made from natural fibers tend to crease, particularly when they are new. With use, they become softer and end up forming fewer creases.

For bed linen and bathroom linen, a good steam iron or ideally a steam generator makes ironing much easier, as does ironing that is still a little damp. Read the care label on which you will find the maximum ironing temperature.
Most modern textiles are also subject to treatments that make maintenance easier and make ironing superfluous. This is for example the case of the Easycare treatment that you will find on many of the bed and table linen products that make up our catalog.

Laundry Storage

If you plan to store your laundry, we advise you to iron it first. Besides the “aesthetic” aspect of the thing, you will save space!

Store laundry flat. If your shelves are made of wood, cover them with tissue paper or Kraft paper. Certain types of wood such as cedar contain oil and may damage your laundry. The same goes for oiled pine furniture that bleeds or for waxed furniture, polish does not go well with your Bedding set immaculate!
Also check that your laundry is not directly exposed to too much light to prevent it from fading. Natural light, that of the sun of course but also that of the moon, slowly but surely fades all colors, starting with the darkest, like navy, bright red, brown...etc.
Therefore, never leave laundry on a table (and even less on the washing line!) where it may be exposed to sunlight for a prolonged period of time

Maintenance by product type

Terry toweling

Please wash your bathroom linen terry toweling before first use to make it soft and absorbent and remember that it will take several washes before your terry towels reach their maximum absorbency, flexibility and volume.
Over time, your terry towels will become increasingly soft and absorbent.
Please note that it is normal for them to pill in the first weeks of use: you may therefore find sponge fibers in the drum of the machine, on your shelves and even on your body during the first uses. This is completely normal. Especially if you bought “cotton velvet” bathroom linen. In fact, velvet is obtained by leveling the cotton loop to give it a smooth and lustrous side, which releases the cotton fibers and scatters them to the four winds for a few days, including after a few successive washes.
For colored laundry do not use Detergent containing bleaching agents because they risk dulling their shine and permanently altering the colors.
The use of a tumble dryer at a moderate temperature is particularly recommended for terry toweling, because it gives it all its loft and flexibility while preserving its hydrophilic power. However, we do not recommend the use of softeners which ultimately reduce the absorbency of cottons and also "fill" this beautiful natural material with slightly chemical products.
You can also for the most beautiful pieces in cotton or linen opt for a Detergent special cotton and linen likeTenetex®

Honeycomb bathroom linen

Ideal for the beach, the hammam, the Spa or to carry in a small suitcase when traveling, these lightweight towels in honeycomb with an embossed appearance, are loosely woven to increase their absorption capacity. They have the advantage of drying very quickly and have undergone a first treatment, which limits their shrinkage.

Table linen

Woven table linen Jacquard requires little maintenance. It undergoes prior treatment intended to facilitate its maintenance. However, we do not recommend dry cleaning. In fact, washing “relaxes” the fibers and highlights the very elaborate patterns of the jacquard.

Here, pre-washing is particularly important because it protects the laundry against future stains.
We advise you to wash your laundry in lukewarm water with a Detergent for delicate textiles and rinse it in cold water. On the other hand, we do not recommend fabric softeners because they soften the fiber and give a “decay” appearance to the fabric of your tablecloth. Take the laundry out of your machine quickly and shake it out before drying to prevent it from creasing.
Special mention on your kitchen towels and aprons: as beautiful as they are, tea towels are made to be used intensively and will therefore be very exposed to dirt, to dry dishes or glassware, but also to wipe away stains. Here again, pre-washing is essential to then get rid of stains.
Also, don’t hesitate to soak your light-colored tea towels in a little lukewarm water with bleach to revive their shine.

Stain resistant tablecloths

As the name suggests, these tablecloths are supposed to be stain resistant! But for how long? Indeed, the water-repellent treatment given to the yarn before weaving tends to dissipate over consecutive washes. To tell the truth, we prefer an untreated tablecloth which washes easily and without hassle to a stain-resistant treated tablecloth whose manufacturer advises you not to wash it multiple times!

This being said, maintaining them requires following the instructions carefully.
Intervene as quickly as possible on the stain by dabbing with a sponge or absorbent paper.
Machine wash at 40°C.
Never use bleach, solvents or stain removers.
If there is a persistent stain, use soap on the stain before rewashing the tablecloth, raise the temperature and wash at 60°C maximum in the machine.
We do not recommend using a tumble dryer although it does not affect the stain treatment.
When the tablecloth is dry, it is imperative to iron it with a hot iron because the heat regenerates the treatment and ideally on the reverse side of the fabric.

Coated tablecloths

These tablecloths, often made of cotton, linen or mixed fabric, are covered with a thin waterproofing acrylic film which gives them a satin appearance and a slightly stiff and dry “oilcloth” feel. The advantage of these tablecloths is their great comfort in use: you can spill an entire glass of red wine on the tablecloth without any risk because the waterproofing and water-repellent treatment acts as a shield completely preventing the liquid from entering the fibers.

In this case, simply absorb the liquid with a paper towel and wipe with a damp sponge. Voila!
From time to time, machine wash your coated tablecloth at 30°C.
Never use bleach, solvents or stain removers.
If there is a persistent stain, use soap on the stain before rewashing the tablecloth, raise the temperature and wash at 60°C maximum in the machine.
We do not recommend using a tumble dryer although it does not affect the stain treatment.
When the tablecloth is dry, it is imperative to iron it with a hot iron because the heat regenerates the treatment and ideally but exclusively on the reverse side of the fabric.

Down items

Always protect your down comforters with duvet covers so that they stay clean. With your down pillows, use pillowcases or pillow protectors and wash them regularly.
Shake your duvets and pillows every day to restore volume and ensure even distribution of the down.
Soiled or stained duvets and pillows can be cleaned with a damp cloth and soap.
You can also wash your duvets in lukewarm water in a large capacity front-loading machine (like those used by professionals), taking care to choose a Detergent for delicate textiles.
Avoid top-loading machines, which risk damaging the fragile cotton envelope of your items. Minor shrinkage and wrinkling may result from washing. But, they are invisible when the duvet is placed back in its cover.
Down comforters and pillows are good for air drying. Spread them on a sheet in the grass or on a terrace and shake them carefully (without excessive force which could damage them) from time to time while drying. You can also dry them in the dryer at medium temperature if this is not recommended on our product sheet. In this case, take them out every hour to shake them and restore volume. Please note: items filled with down (duvets, comforters, pillows, etc.) must only be dried flat and protected from direct sunlight (do not spread out or hang in order to maintain an even distribution of the filling).
Put a few tennis balls in your machine to make drying easier. Make sure your duvets and pillows are completely dry before putting them back on a bed or in a wardrobe. Always store them in cotton bags and not plastic.
Favor a Detergent special down like Tenemoll®, respectful of natural fibers.

Silk items

Silk is a naturally healthy, antibacterial and hypoallergenic material. Animal fiber, it therefore fears enzymes. Any washing with water is unnecessary and could damage the silk fibers and their natural properties. In case of extreme need (case of a stain for example) and in order to avoid any risk of deterioration of the silk, it is recommended to use a Detergent specific for silk such as Tenestar®.

Contrary to popular belief, silk is an extremely strong natural fiber, but silk fiber can lose up to 40% of its strength when wet, making it vulnerable to stretching. Washing silk fabric therefore requires some precautions. Please note that the lower the weight of your fabric (we are talking about “mms” here and not grams), the more delicate the wash is.
If you opt for machine washing, wash your silk bed linen on the "delicates" program at 30°C and using a Detergent for silk. The ideal isDetergent professional for silk Tenestar® which does not contain bleach or bleach. To protect the seams and avoid any risk of pulling with the drum of your machine, put your silk bed linen in a cotton pillowcase.
When washing by hand, avoid rubbing, wringing or soaking the silk. Use lukewarm water (30°C) and neutral soap or a detergent specially designed for washing silk such asDetergent Tenestar® Rinse with lukewarm water to which you add a few drops of white vinegar.
Lay flat if you can to avoid distortion of the silk fabric and be careful of clothespins which can leave marks.
As a last resort, we advise you to contact a professional who knows silk well and has a specific detergent for silk.

Wool items

Warm, cozy and insulating, wool is the ideal material to protect yourself from the cold at home. Without being fragile, it does however require some special attention during its maintenance.

If you are not averse to the use of solvent (and therefore chemical) products, dry cleaning is undoubtedly the ideal cleaning solution. It is also often recommended by the manufacturers themselves, concerned that the product they offer you does not suffer from shrinkage, felting or deformation following washing with water.
Since washing is not completely prohibited by the manufacturer, sheep's wool is rather strong and can therefore be washed. It simply requires that you wash it carefully so as not to deform it. Often thick, you can wash in the machine but at 30°C and in delicate mode. It is best to buy a Detergent special wool like Tenemoll® without adding fabric softener and it will remain shiny and silky. Looking at the label is still the best solution.
Precious wools: angora, cashmere, mohair... wash by hand and cold and again with a Detergent special.
Using the dryer at very low temperature is always possible even if we prefer drying in the air and especially flat to avoid any deformation.
To iron it: turn the wool item over and place a damp cloth (pattemouille) on it so as not to burn the wool fibers.

Wool blankets

Like all wool items, blankets must be maintained with great care. For the usual precautions, we invite you to refer to the “wool items” section above. You will also find below a correspondence table between the size of the Blanket and the recommended volume for the drum of your washing machine.

Dimensions of the Blanket	Volume minimal of the drum
Plaid 150x200 cm whatever the weight	Drum 5 kg
Blanket light 180x240 cm for single bed (summer type)	Drum 5/6 kg
Blanket light 220x240 cm for double bed (summer type)	Drum 6 kg
Blanket light 240X260 cm for double bed (summer type)	Drum 9 kg
Blanket light 240X300 cm for double bed (summer type)	Drum 9 kg
Blanket thick 180x240 cm for single bed (winter type)	Drum 9 kg
Blanket thick 220x240 cm for single bed (winter type)	Drum 9 kg
Blanket thick 240X260 cm for double bed (winter type)	Drum 12 kg
Blanket thick 240X300 cm for double bed (winter type)	Drum 12 kg

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