Care Instructions

Bed and Table Linens

Machine washing: We suggest you pre-wash your linens before their first use, separating light and dark colors. Fine linens should also be separated from polyester fabrics, which can create pilling, and from items with heavy zippers, which can damage fabrics. Avoid overloading the washing machine, which can cause fibers to break down from excessive abrasion and agitation. Wash most linens in warm water on a gentle cycle with a cold water rinse. Be careful to pre-treat any stains prior to washing.

Detergent: Use a neutral, biodegradable, liquid detergent without alkalis, added bleach, whiteners, or enzymes; we recommend “Arm & Hammer for Sensitive Skin.” Do not pour detergent directly on textiles; add it to the water as the tub fills or dilute detergent with water and then add linens. Unless linens are soiled, use just half the recommended amount of detergent.

Bleaching: Chlorine bleach can weaken fibers and cause them to yellow. If white fabrics require bleaching, use an oxygen-based bleach.

Drying: Avoid twisting or wringing out linens before drying. Shake out damp linens before placing in the dryer. Tumble dry on low heat. Never use a high heat setting which will weaken fibers, cause shrinkage, and shorten the life of your linens. Remove items from dryer promptly, while still damp, to minimize wrinkles. Smooth and fold, or press with iron if desired.

Ironing: Check to make sure your steam iron is clean – mineral deposits could cause brown spotting. Iron linens while still damp. Use your steam iron or a warm/hot setting for cotton; use a hot setting for linen and a water spritzer, if needed. Embroidered linens and sateen fabrics should be ironed on the reverse side using a terry press cloth to preserve the three-dimensional effect of the embroidery and a standard press cloth to protect lacework.

Chemicals: Some hair and skin products, such as acne lotions, face creams, or toothpastes that contain oxidizing agents may cause discoloration of colored sheets and towels. When using such products, it is advised to sleep on white bed linens. Many sun screen product contain chemicals that can permanently discolor your linens.

Shrinkage: All natural fibers will shrink to some extent, but in most instances our linens are generously overcut to allow for shrinkage. However, you should not wash or, especially, dry linens on a hot setting, which is most likely to cause shrinkage. Follow instructions on care label.

Bath Linens

Machine washing: We recommend a first wash in cold water with no soap to set the color and stability of your woven terry. Tumble dry on low to medium heat. On following washes, separate whites, lights, and dark colors. Do not overload your machine. Avoid co-mingling your cotton towels with synthetic fabrics or items with zippers or hooks that could pull or tear the terry loops. Machine wash your towels with cold water and avoid long, rigorous spin cycles that cause stress and abrasion and prevent proper rinsing.

Detergent: Use a neutral, biodegradable, liquid detergent without alkalis, added bleach, whiteners, or enzymes; we recommend “Arm & Hammer for Sensitive Skin.” Do not pour detergent directly on textiles; add it to the water as the tub fills or dilute detergent with water and the add linens. Unless linens are soiled, use just half the recommended amount of detergent. Avoid fabric softeners and dryer sheets, as these coat the natural fibers and reduce the softness and absorbency of your terry.

Chemicals: Some hair and skin products, such as acne lotions, face creams, or toothpastes that contain oxidizing agents may cause discoloration of colored sheets and towels. When using such products, it is advised to use white bath linens. Many sun screen product contain chemicals that can permanently discolor your towels.

Drying: Avoid twisting or wringing out linens before drying. Shake out damp linens before placing in the dryer. Never leave wet towels sitting in the washer or dryer. Tumble dry on low or medium heat, being sure not to over-dry. Remove your towels as soon as possible when the drying cycle ends.

Glassware

Washing: Most of our glassware is residential dishwasher-safe on a warm, gentle cycle using a mild detergent. Hand wash large, highly decorated, or fragile pieces. We recommend using dishwasher tablets.

Temperature: We do not guarantee our glass to be microwave-safe. Extreme changes in temperature, such as with very hot liquids, may cause glass to crack. Never place glass in a freezer. Glassware with handles is particularly vulnerable to cracking with rapid changes in temperature.

Flatware

Hand washing: Wash silver plated and stainless steel flatware promptly after use to avoid staining and possible pitting. Wash in warm, sudsy water. Rinse well and dry immediately.

Dishwasher: Flatware may be safely washed in the dishwasher, however, hand washing is highly recommended. If you choose to wash your flatware in the dishwasher, carefully rinse away traces of food from flatware; foods that contain sulfides may cause tarnishing and pitting. Avoid harsh detergents that contain chlorides. Avoid lemon-scented detergents which contain acids that may harm silver. Use a rinse agent and/or a water softener. Do not spill dry detergent or silver – it may cause dark spots and pitting. Hand dry silver plated flatware, especially knife blades, to avoid spotting and pitting. Do not wash silver plate flatware and stainless steel items at the same time as the combination may cause an unpleasant chemical reaction. Flatware with wooden handles is dishwasher-safe but should be washed on a low heat setting.

Ceramics

Washing: Most of our ceramics are dishwasher-safe. It is best to select wash cycles with moderate temperatures, between 110 and 130 degree F, such as those used for crystal or delicate dishes. Wash cycles with temperatures above 150 degree F, such as the “pots and pans” cycle, must be avoided since these high temperatures have a tendency to corrode the enamel and glazes. Dishwasher tablets without phosphate are recommended since they are gentler.

Astier de Villate: The use of microwave or traditional oven is not recommended. Tea, coffee, and some flatware may eventually leave dark traces which can be easily removed by applying a cleaning product such as Barkeepers Friend.

Wood

Washing: Hand wash wooden items with mild soap and water. Towel dry. Do not place in the dishwasher or submerge in water.

Oiling: We recommend that you apply mineral oil once a month to maintain the natural beauty of the wood.
Please refer to Care Instructions supplied by the manufacturer.

For further information, please contact Sue Fisher King at 888-811-7276 or [email protected]