How to remove stains from linen?

Spilled borscht on a Christmas tablecloth, chocolate icing left on a linen cloth and leftovers of coffee after breakfast in bed. All these stains and dirt are extremely difficult to remove and therefore require the use of stronger chemicals. However, these are not always suitable for the care of unique flax fibers. What to do then? How to deal with permanent stains and are there safe ways that will not damage the natural material? How to remove stains from linen?

WHAT NOT TO USE?

How to remove stains from linen? At the sight of spilled broth on the tablecloth or tea residue on the tread, we often reach for strong stain removers or bleaches. These “penetrate” into the fibers and dissolve stains, removing them instantly from the surface. While this is good practice for synthetics and plastics, we do not recommend it for natural fibers. Why? Strong agents – like softeners – can stiffen fibers and reduce their absorption properties. So natural preparations are much safer – their action is equally effective, and the ingredients used do not change the structure of fibers, such as linen, silk, or wool.

How to remove stains from linen? Also, avoid washing at high temperatures. Exceeding 40 degrees Celsius will not make the stains magically disappear. Instead, the fibers can shrink by up to 10%, which can be significant for linen pillowcases or linen sheets.

Also, avoid squeezing linen fabrics in the washing machine and spinning them in tumble dryers – it is much safer to dry them on a hanger or on a string hanging in the open air.

Green linen bedding with a zipper — linen bedding in eucalyptus green

HOW TO SAFELY REMOVE DIRT? HOW TO REMOVE STAINS FROM LINEN?

Safe removal of dirt can be based on both professional means and homemade recipes.

So a safe, ecological stain remover is Galas soap and soap tree spray. Both the first and the second product are applied topically – i. e. directly on a stain from fat, chocolate, or makeup remnants. Galas soap is completely natural, and its composition is based on oils (e. g. coconut) and potassium grey soap. The spray, in turn, is based on natural oils of sage or lavender, as well as glycerin and balsamic additives. Both products are free of phosphates, synthetic dyes, petrochemical, and genetically modified raw materials, making them safe not only for fibers but also for the environment.

An alternative to these products is homemade mixes, for which you will need popular ingredients from the kitchen or pantry. The most famous recipe creates a universal cleaning paste. You will need 1 glass of water and 4 tablespoons of soda. To increase efficiency, you can add a few drops of lemon juice. The paste should be applied topically on yellow spots and large dirt – e. g. on a linen tablecloth or linen pillowcase. The mixture should be gently massaged with a sponge or cloth and then left for a few minutes. After this time, you can wash the fabric in a gentle program. Ready!