4/9/10 Hanging Linens to Dry
Bed linens, curtains and other large fabrics can become tangled and wrinkled permanently in a standard clothes dryer. Even though your cleaning service will likely dust the drapes and fluff the comforters on your bed, nothing beats a good seasonal cleaning and drying. The best option for your large, delicate fabrics is to hang dry them.
Before cleaning your linens, check to see if they can be washed by hand, in your washing machine or at the dry cleaners. Some can only be spot cleaned due to their delicate construction. Follow the instructions for your particular piece; if you don’t, you may ruin a beautiful lace tablecloth or hand-stuff quilt.
The best place to let your clothes dry naturally is in the sunshine. If you can, string a clothes line between two trees, two buildings or two other structures. A good clothes line has a series of pulleys that allow you to manipulate the line without dropping any articles. Make sure the line is high enough so cats and other grounded animals can’t rub against your clean clothes. Large linens can be draped over the line one at a time, though you should never put too much strain on the line to avoid snapping it. If the line droops substantially while hanging a heavy linen piece, find an alternative drying location.
Once your clothes finish drying outside, shake them out to remove any insects or debris that might have become lodged in their folds. While they will smell clean, you can give them an extra dose of freshness by spritzing both sides with a fabric cleaner such as Febreze. Return the linens to their usual locations as soon as possible to avoid having them lose their forms.
If you can’t dry outside, you’re still in luck. Try hanging a clothes line in a basement or spare bedroom, or invest in a drying rack. These are great for small spaces such as apartments and dorm rooms as they can be folded when not in use. If neither option is viable for your situation, hang the drying linens on clean, sturdy surfaces that won’t be ruined by moisture. Possible options include wooden chairs, counters, door frames and shower rods. This option works best if you can leave your windows open and if you will be out of the house for some time.
There are few things more precious than the smell of freshly cleaned linens. They perk up your attitude and bring a fresh vibrancy to your home. Even if your linens don’t look soiled, they should be cleaned at least twice a year. Once you’ve cleaned them for the first time, you’ll never want to live amongst dirty curtains and bedclothes ever again. And while a good housekeeping service like Maid for Mommy will keep your linens free of most dirt between cleanings, there really isn’t anything quite as nice as an actual soaked-and-dried cleaning session. Go ahead—your family and your fabrics deserve it!
Maid for Mommy is central New Jersey’s premier cleaning services company. We are dedicated to taking care of all the cleaning chores around your home so you have more time to spend doing what you like. Relax with your family while our expert maid service scrubs your kitchen and bathrooms to perfection. Sit back and enjoy a movie as we vacuum your carpets and polish your furniture. After you host the perfect party for friends, leave the cleaning to us—we’ll have your house spotless in no time. Visit MaidForMommy.com or call 1-877-466-6697 for a free estimate and come home to a house that truly sparkles!