Storing Table Linens

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Putting a little extra effort into caring for your table linens will pay off. They will last longer and look fresher for many years. Before storing table linens, wash them to remove any dirt or stains. Repair any tears or holes so they are ready to use when you pull them out of storage. Remember the following as well:

• Hard water can leave iron residue in laundered items which will rust and leave brown spots. If you have hard water, use a washing additive to launder table linens.
• Don’t starch or size table linens before storing them. Starch and sizing are corrosive and are best used on items that you use and wash frequently.
• Potpourri, lavender and other sachets are fine for frequently used items but don’t place them directly on stored linens. The natural oils from dried flowers can cause fine fabrics to deteriorate.

If clean table linens are stored properly, you won’t have to spend much time ironing when you’re ready to use them. Narrow cubbies and narrow, pull-out drawes work well for napkins and placemats. You can also buy handy under-shelf wire trays at most home centers. For tablecloths, buy a doweled pull-out rack that you can install in a large pantry cabinet. Tablecloths can be hung on the dowels and pushed in out of sight. As a last resort, hang clean tablecloths on padded hangers in a spare closet and cover them lightly with washed muslin or washed cotton sheets. Although you might want to keep all your holiday decorations together, you can best care for holiday linens by storing them with your other linens in a well-ventilated place.

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