Ensure your table cloths and napkins retain their orginal look and feel
by following our recommendation for washing table linens. From the
basic requirements all the way through to the washing and drying our
guide should ensure your table linens keep their colour retention.
Recommendations For The Wash & Care Of Table Linens
Basic Requirements
Equipment must be free of sharp edges as they may snag and cause pulls/damage to the table cloths.
If using a washing machine with preset programs use a program with cool down.
Washing Equipment must have properly functioning water level and temperature controls.
Powder or chemical feed systems must be functioning properly.
Detergent must not contain softener.
Do not use Chlorine bleach on colours only use colour safe oxy. bleaches.
Drying equipment must have properly functioning temperature and cool-down controls.
Lint screens on dryers must be cleaned daily.
Standard operating procedure should include periodic inspections of the above listed requirements.
All
new linen should be washed separately prior to use to remove any
manufacturing residual dye. Colours and product should not be mixed on
this initial wash.
Subsequent wash cycles, similar colours/shades (e.g. white, medium, dark,) can be washed together (see below).
All table cloth linen must be shaken out to ensure debris (e.g. food and sharp objects) are not loaded into the washer.
All polyester table cloths
should be washed separately from 100% cotton and polycotton blends, as
loose fibres from cotton and polycotton blends can deposit lint onto
the polyester linens.Use synthetic wash cycle/process (maximum 50° C
for normal soiling), cool tumble dry, warm iron if required.
For
heavily soiled items, wash temperatures can be increased to a maximum
of 60° C but will require a gradual cool down. Step down temperature by
5° C increments or less until load is at 45° C as thermal shock may
occur if load is cooled down rapidly.
Typical Wash Program For 100% Polyester Table Linen For Semi Industrial Washing Machines
Load washers up to 80% of rated capacity.
Avoid use of any softeners or bacteria stats in the wash as these will mask the absorbency of the fabric.
Do not use chlorine bleach on coloured table linen, only use oxygen release bleach.
The
use of sours will assist the removal of residual chemicals and assist
any starching required. Do not use P.V.A. starch; only use natural
starch.
For heavily soiled items, wash temperatures can be
increased to a maximum of 60° C but will require a gradual cool down.
Step down temperature by 5° C increments or less until load is at 45° C
as thermal shock may occur if load is cooled down to rapidly.
Suggested Drying Procedure
Load dryers up to 50% capacity.
Set heat cycle to fabric temperature of 80° C - 90° C (low setting).
Linen
must be dry before “cool-down” cycle starts. Drying time usually varies
between 10 and 20 minutes, depending on extraction, load size and
temperature.
These procedures should be followed to obtain
optimum flat-dry results; A.) All fabrics should be unloaded
immediately after cycle is completed. Cloths should then be draped
across a trolley or folding table, napkins stacked flat. B.) Allow 24 hour “shelf-time” to enhance flat-dry appearance.
Professional results are best obtained by ironing.
