Caring for your Linen

Margarita from linenartisan has sent us some instructions on 'Linen Care'. She says:

Anne-Marie O'Rourke inspired me when I was reading her article about cleaning jewelery pieces on the Etsy Ireland blog. It was very interesting and reminded me that I could write something similar about cleaning linen fabric.

Beautiful linen fabrics, maybe from our heritage, can be kept in good condition, by taking care of them:

TAKE CARE WITH LINEN natural fiber :*****************************************
THE LINEN WORKSHOP was born because of the passion about such ancestral fibre,being woven for 8000 years, at the service of humanity during a period twice as long as the wheel.
It has special qualities and features:
1 - One of the most valued, its capacity to ABSORB HUMIDITY (up to 20% of its dry weight) without feeling humid to the touch and as well frees
humidity, being a fresh textile in Summer.
Table and bed furnishings, until recently, we made in linen, that is why
"flax and linen" go together.
2 - STRENGTH AND RESISTANCE: mummies were enveloped with fine linen bandages, the Fenicians set their boats with linen furnishings; sails
and coverings done in linen... printer is also indebted to linen (paper
linen, ink linen).
3 - ECOLOGIC FIBRE: Linen need few fertilizers, it is a renewable crop which does not end the natural resources and almost all parts may be
used: oil, soap, natural cosmetics and so on and so forth. It does not contaminate the water so it is BIODEGRADABLE AND RECYCLEABLE.
Thus, I do recommend the following care:
Optical white is a product that absorbs UltraViolet invisible light transforming it into visible light, so it really is a colouring which enhances white's feeling.

Ordinarily, pure linen (bleached and not dyed) can be washed in high
temperatures, but with soap WITHOUT OPTICAL WHITE. (in market soap care wool)
It must be ironed humid-like before wrinkles fix. Do not tumble dry
*****LINEN WORKSHOP only uses "Mater of Linen" textiles which imply European origin, with strict quality criteria cultivated and woven in Ireland,France,Belgium and Netherland. 

I would like to remark that for me it is very important not to be afraid of taking care of linen. This natural fibre likes sun and water, so it is not difficult to clean it. It is foremost a matter of 'Responsible Consumption.' To find out more, please take a look at my blog (this blog is in Spanish):

http://tallerdelino.blogspot.ie/2013/03/utiliza-fibra-vegetalutiliza-lino.html

In my blog you can not only find information about my projects, but also helpful articles about sustainability and animal welfare.

Also I would like to let you know that linen has great properties as a non-polluting product, which is both cool and warm (depending upon weather); it also absorbs moisture so it dries quickly. That is why linen fabric creates a comfortable and healthy atmosphere. Sleeping in flax linen is considered healthy, since it is a non-allergenic fibre.

Industry is researching linen properties in the same way as high tech fibre, in order to find new 'green markets'. So linen is not only fashionable or related to houseware, but can also play a vital role in the green economy.

http://vimeo.com/album/1837473/video/31776118

http://www.mastersoflinen.com/eng/index


Linen Artisan / Artesana del Linoweb: www.linen-workshop.com
Blog: http://tallerdelino.blogspot.com
Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/linenartisan