Washing Instructions and Fine Linens Care

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Belvivere fine linens are made from high quality natural fibers offering customers guarantees of extended durability.
Proper care is essential for a good long-lasting preservation of your household linens and to safeguard their beautiful appearance.
Just follow the simple care and maintenance rules outlined below for

your fine linens to wear softly and smoothly through endless washings.
While Belvivere products can be easily washed at home, please be sure to read the care label on each item for best results.

Select one of the topics below or just scroll down the page:

	Washing instructions
	Removing spots and stains on fine linens
	Tips to store bed linens

Washing instructions

Machine Washing

Machine wash your fine linens in warm water on a gentle cycle with a cold-water rinse.

-	Pre-wash linens before first use.
-	Separate your linens from other items in the wash.
-	Separate light and dark colors.
-	Avoid overloading the washing machine, which can cause fibers to break down from excessive abrasion and agitation.
-	Be careful to pre-treat any stains prior to washing.

Detergent

Use a neutral or mild detergent that does not contain any bleaching agents such as chlorine or peroxide. Do not pour detergent directly on textiles; rather, add it to the water as the wash tub fills or dilute detergent with water, then add linens. Unless linens are very soiled, you only need to use half the recommended amount of detergent. We recommend the following detergents for your luxury linens: “The Laundress” www.thelaundress.com (212-209-0074) , “LeBlanc - Linen Wash” www.linenwash.com (800-814-9274) or “The Laundry” www.linenlaundry.com (800-637-6334).

Bleaching

Do not bleach. Chlorine bleach can weak fibers and cause them to yellow. If white fabrics need bleaching, use an oxygen-based bleach.

Drying

You can machine dry your fine linens on low heat. Shake out damp linens before placing in the dryer. Tumble dry for no more than 5 to 7 minutes on low setting only. Remove and press while damp. This will help maintain the luster and lifespan of your fine linens. Overdrying is the most harmful process for fabrics as it weakens the fibers causing shrinkage and pilling. Line drying outdoors is also a good option when possible.

Shrinkage

All natural fibers will shrink to some extent, but in most instances we generously overcut our items to allow for shrinkage. Do not wash or, especially, dry linens on a hot setting, which is most likely to cause shrinkage.

Ironing

Remove your linens from the dryer promptly while still damp to reduce wrinkles. Smooth and fold, or press with an iron if desired.
Iron linens while still slightly damp on the reverse side of the fabric. Use a steam iron on a warm/hot setting for cotton; use a hot setting for linen and a water spritzer if needed. Iron damask/jacquard fabrics on the reverse side first, then on the front side to bring out the sheen. Embroidered items should be ironed on the reverse side atop a towel to preserve the three-dimensional effect of the embroidery. Use a press cloth to protect delicate lace and cutwork. To restore the lustrous face of sateen fabrics, iron on the reverse side.

Special care

After washing, it is very important to rinse the soap residue out with plenty of cold water immediately. Never leave wet or damp embroidered items on top of another.
Wash embroidered items separately and add salt to the water.
Silk linens may be dry cleaned, hand washed, or machine washed on a gentle cycle.
When drying linen never wring it out. This will cause wrinkling and may weaken the fibers. Set dryer at the lowest setting possible, and then hang linen or lie flat to completely dry. Roll your linen in a towel to soak up extra moisture.To iron linen it’s important to keep the fabric damp. Linen becomes fragile and delicate when dry.

Professional Cleaning

Professional hand washing is recommended for the most delicate linens – those with heavy embellishments or embroideries; heirlooms or worn linens. Be sure to use a reputable launderer who knows how to launder delicate linens. For special care we recommend “The Laundry” www.linenlaundry.com (800-637-6334).

Bath towel’s Care

Your bath linens should be soft and absorbent, a cozy cocoon to wrap yourself in after a relaxing bath or shower. Just follow these simple suggestions to prolong the life of your bath towels while preserving their look and feel.

-	Machine wash using warm water and a non-chlorine bleach detergent. Chlorine bleach will weaken the fabric and cause yellowing. Always separate light and dark colors – and wash towels only with other towels to prevent pilling. Do not overstuff your washing machine.
-	Never use fabric softener when washing towels, as this could make them less absorbent.
-	Tumble dry on low heat.

Table Linens Care

A lovely addition to any home, a well-dressed table sets the scene for many family gatherings and special occasions. Just follow these simple suggestions to ensure a long-lasting preservation of your fine table linens.

-	Machine wash in hot water for whites, warm for colors.
-	Use pure soap for soft water or a gentle detergent in hard water. Use oxygenated bleach for whites only – chlorine bleach can weaken the fabrics and cause yellowing.
-	Use the rinse cycle to remove all detergent. This will help avoid “age spots” which are caused by oxidation of the fibers.
-	Treat the stains when they are fresh. If allowed to set, stains may be impossible to remove at a later date.
-	Delicate lace and embellished linens should be placed in laundry bag (or a pillowcase) before being placed in the washing machine.
-	Avoid twisting or wringing out linens before drying. Tumble dry on low setting until slightly damp.

Removing spots and stains on fine linens

Here are some suggestions:

Wine

White wine is always easiest and will usually come out during a soapy washing in hot water.
Red wine is a different story, try sprinkling salt on the stain followed by soaking the linen in cold water. If the stain remains rub it out with more salt then wash. Also soaking a stain with club soda and water will often remove it.

Coffee or tea stains

Probably, if serving, you wont be able to treat these stains before they are dry, to treat dry stains, use a mix of one part glycerine, and one part water to loosen the stain. Another way to get out tougher stains on tougher fabrics is to stretch the fabric over a bowl and pour boiling water through it from about 2 or 3 feet high until the stain disappears.

Fruit and berry stains

Take a wet stain and sprinkle it with salt and then rub the stain with a damp soapy sponge. Then wait a few hours and rinse. Another way to get out tougher stains on tougher fabrics is to stretch the fabric over a bowl and pour boiling water through it from about 2 or 3 feet high until the stain disappears. Try soaking in 1 part borax to 6 parts water.

For FRUIT, COFFEE and TEA you can rub with alcohol, white vinegar and ammonia

Chocolate stains

For delicate linens try sponging them with warm water while ringing out the sponge often.
For your tougher linens, try putting dry borax on the stain and then washing in cold water.

Blood stains

Always start removing a blood stain by using cold water, if you use hot water you will just "set" the stain. Wash as soon as you can with cold water, and then for hard to get out stains soak the linen in salty cold water, then wash as usual. Rinse immediately in cold water.

Grease stains

Try to remove these stains while they are still fresh. Put baking soda on it and leave it for a few hours, then brush off baking soda and wash.

Apply an absorbent such as talcum powder or cornstarch to the affected area, then brush away. If the stain is heavy or old, proceed to Step 2; if fresh, skip to Step 3.

1.	Place stain facedown on paper towels. Blot back of stain with a dry-cleaning solvent. Replace paper towels as they soak up the stain.
2.	Spray with laundry pretreatment.
3.	Wash in the hottest water that's safe for the garment.
4.	Air dry.

Ketchup and mustard

Remove excess mustard or ketchup by scraping with a dull knife or blotting with paper towels. Sponge stain with cool water. Gently work a mild detergent into stain. Rinse in cool water. Apply a laundry stain remover. Wash and air dry.

Ink

Soak in milk, or in a soap and ammonia blend, and rub the stain.

Wax stains

Chill with ice and scrape away as much wax as you can with a dull knife. Place a sheet of butcher paper, glossy side up, or a portion of a brown paper bag on top of the wax. Press the tip of a warm iron gently over the affected area until the wax melts and attaches to the paper. Lift the paper from the fabric as it cools. Dab a small amount of denatured alcohol onto the stain if any candle dye remains on the fabric. Sponge with water. Wash the fabric as usual.

Tips to store bed linens

	Wash and dry your washable linens before storing them.
	Remove linens from dryer while still warm so they don't wrinkle. If they're already cool, put them back in the dryer and dry for a couple of minutes with a moist cloth.
	Fold linens.
	Store linens in a cool, dark and dry spot.
	Use cotton, linen or muslin if storing your linens in a garment bag. Don't use anything synthetic.
	Place tags on your linens or on the shelves in your linen closet describing the type and size of item you're storing.
	Place a lavender sachet with your linens to keep them smelling fresh.
	Rotate your linens every six months.
	Don't store your linens in anything plastic, cardboard or cedar. Each emits fumes and acids that can stain or yellow your linens.
	Avoid storing linens in the bathroom, as the moisture will lead to mildewing.
	It's a great idea to have at least three sets of sheets per bed. Use one on the bed, one in storage, and one in the laundry
	Rotate the sheets sets you use (vs. the sets you store) frequently so they wear evenly.
	Change sheets once a week in normal climates, more often in hot and humid regions.