The curtains and short window curtains can be washed into a washing machine with the same precautions as the old linen. On the other hand for the items including some embroideries and old laces, prefer washing with the hand. The yellowed spots or parts could be treated with products such as “Blanc Nuclear” or “Blanco”. To dry either flat or on a clotheshorse, if it is outside, in the shade, because the sun will tend to yellow the linen and to break fibres. Especially not to use an dryer wardrobe at hight temperatures. The tablemats could be tended has flat with pins, that will prevent that they become deformed and will facilitate ironing

It is important to moisten uniformly the linen well (this can be done with a clean sponge and be wet, of course) and to put it in a plastic bag several hours before ironing. Another solution is to iron it before it is not compltely dry. For the embroideries or laces, it is recommended to put another linen (white) over, "damping cloth". Do not use a too hot iron and especially have a very clean sole , not toannihilate all the precautions taken before. You understanding the interest of the "damping cloth" which will protect thus your linen. If you made a crease, use one wet sponge and pass by again on the crease. Attention also with irons badly maintained vapors which tend to vaporize "a little rusted" vapor

The embroideries and laces will be arranged safe from the light between paper silk sheets for the oldest items or most delicate. For the curtains and the short window curtain, the simplest is to put back them on your windows after ironing.

It is recommended to wash the old linen with the hand, in a tepid water, of préference with not very aggressive detergents or most natural possible (natural soap flakes for example). You can wash it into washing machine, now the programs were conform for that, but with the same precautions with regard to the temperature of water and the washing products used. Well the spin-drying must be on a program "delicate linen" as for wool. When the linen is yellowed, or contain traces in particular on the crease, use a product bleaching like the “Blanc Nuclear” or “Blanco” without wanting to make publicities for these marks. To dry either flat or on a clotheshorse, if it is outside, in the shade, because the sun will tend to yellow the linen and to break fibres. Especially not to use a dryer wardrobe at hight temperatures.

You can apply the same advicels of ironing for the linen as for the curtains and laces.

The old linen will be well-ordered in a wardrobe and remind you how did your grand mothers was putting between the linen some small bags of lavender. The mothballr is also recommended (there are some one's without odor).

Do not deplore by seeing some damage of linen, which often comes from your parents and grands parents. Solutions exist for “save” these rare parts and which are in charge of history and memories. It is there that I intervene, since my knowledge and of many years of craftswoman (see page “my story”) enables me to mending the most of part time these items. Before any mending, I must look at the part to analyse the texture of the fabric and to know which kind of mending can be considered. Before entrusting it to me, do not wash especially this item. About that you can see on my web site a principle of mending and also to read the very nice pitch in french was published in “ALADIN on French Press” in January 2005.