Let's talk linen

Let's face it, we've all based our purchasing decision on 'coup de foudre' (love at first sight) at one point or another. Whether it's a little black dress, a pair of shoes, or a wonderful set of intricate bedsheets. However, we've also all had that moment of despair when we realized that the object of our affection was really REALLY high maintenance! 

Enter Linen!
When it comes to beauty and practicality, linen takes the cake. Though it starts off being a little rigid, this type of fabric only gets better with time. Light and airy, linen is used to great success in bedsheets, curtains, cushions, hand towels and even clothes. The best thing about it though is how easy to manage it can be; it can be laundered with confidence!

So go ahead, get sloppy... and if you end up with stains here's a cheat sheet to bail you out:

• Ink: Soak in milk, or in soap-and-ammonia mixture, and rub the spot.
• Blood: Rinse immediately in cold water.
• Fruit, coffee, tea and chocolate: Rub with alcohol, white vinegar and ammonia.
• Candle wax: Scratch off dried wax, absorb residue with blotting paper and warm iron.
• Greasy Stains: Rub with ammonia.
• Red Wine: Rub immediately with sparkling water or white wine.

For those tough and stubborn stains:

•  Soak the linen in a good washing detergent, or dissolving 3.5 oz. sodium borate in boiling water, then add enough cold water to yield 1½ gallons, and let soak for 1 hour.
• Never use chlorine bleach which may damage the fibers.