Buying linen & cotton in bulk can be an expensive purchase for hotels & restaurants. But once you have bought it all, the last thing you want to do is to see it damaged in some way. Hotel & restaurant owners across the UK will know all too well how quickly linen & cotton can stain but there are a few things you can do yourself to ensure your linen and cotton is looking its best. Washing linen & cotton: All linen and cotton products will have washing instructions attached, always read these as they usually make you aware of specific requirements for water temperature, for example. Look out for detergents containing bleaching agents. Whilst these are great for white cotton & linen, coloured items will start to look washed out & dull. To make sure your coloured cotton & linen stays as bright as possible, add a drop of vinegar when rinsing.
Ironing linen and cotton: Once washed, the most arduous task is ironing it all. If you hang your items to dry, make sure each item is stretched out as much as possible, to avoid wrinkles from developing. If possible, dry white linen in the sunshine to retain its original brightness. When ironing your linen & cotton, it is best done when the items are slightly damp, you will have better results and get the job done much faster. When ironing napkins, many restaurants recommend spraying them with starch. This will help achieve a nice crisp feel & allow your staff to easily fold the napkins into decorative shapes. Storing linen and cotton: When storing linen & cotton, it is imperative that all items are completely dry in order to avoid mildew from growing. Storage areas must be cool, dry and well ventilated. Removing stains from linen & cotton: The rule of thumb when it comes to stains is, try to wash them immediately, particularly if you use an external launderer. Stains that are left to dry on the linen or cotton become stubborn & tricky to remove. Some of the most common stains from hotel and restaurant use can be easily washed away using these techniques. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6757405
