More durable than delicate, luxury bed linens can last lifetimes and become heirlooms if properly maintained.
The term “fine linen” describes quality, instead of durability. Unlike fragile china that is showcased but rarely used, good linens are resilient and actually can become softer and more beautiful over time.
“We truly believe that you can have the beautiful aesthetic of luxury linens, but still have it be usable and approachable,” said Aimee Wedlake, owner of Valerianne in Vienna. “A lot of people get these beautiful things and their bed looks wonderful, but they take it all off, fold it carefully, put it on a coach and then sleep on something random. We want them to enjoy everything that they put on their beds.”
| Resources |
| » valarieanne.com |
| » yvesderlome.com |
| » thelaundress.com |
| » linenwash.net |
Instead of storing them away in a cedar chest, fine linens are made to be displayed, slept on and rolled in. Keeping them soft and smooth requires simple, yet specific care.
“We tell clients to not overload the washing machine because that’s how you can damage the long fibers,” said Liah Cooney, manager of the Yves Delorme’s Georgetown store. “Wash them in warm, but never hot water, and use a cool rinse.”
Cooney said after washing, take the linens out immediately “and shake them out, then put them in the dryer on low heat.’
Remove the linens while “dry/damp,” Cooney said. “Believe it or not, this will actually reduce the chance of wrinkles.”
Most linen boutiques recommend using Le Blanc Linen Wash, which is free of sulfate, phosphate and bleach. The Laundress also makes mild detergents suitable for fine linens, as well as ironing water.
Never use bleach “or those bleach alternatives,” said Mia Worrell, co-owner of Timothy Paul Bedding + Home. “They claim to be OK for colors, but sometimes they turn colors.”
When purchasing detergents from a grocery store, buy those labeled “free.”
“If you’re going to invest in a beautiful bed; it’s there for you to enjoy,” Wedlake said. “It’s there to give you a better night’s sleep. It’s not nice china that you take out at Thanksgiving. It’s something you live in daily.”
