Protect your dark clothes from damage by following these simple rules:

Here is some useful information to keep your precious heirloom linens in good shape.

Storing Linens Flat

Always launder or dry clean linens before storing. Some stains may not be visible but can provide food for mildew or insects. Take care to rinse thoroughly to remove all detergent which can cause discoloration. Be sure that your linens are completely dry – especially after ironing – before you store them. Moisture creates mildew.

Store linens in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Wrap them in acid-free tissue paper, not regular tissue paper. The acids in regular tissue paper can yellow white linens. Never store linens in plastic bags, cardboard boxes or in direct contact with cedar chests or any wood drawer. Fumes from petroleum-based polyurethane plastic boxes and wood acids can yellow or weaken the fabrics.

Place heavier pieces like place mats on the bottom, then solid tablecloths and napkins and place lace pieces on top of the stack. It is better to store linens unironed because starch can attract insects and any crisp creases can weaken fibers.

At least twice per year, refold the linen to prevent continued stress on one area. Try to use your precious linen regularly so that you can enjoy its beauty, rather than just leaving it in the closet.

A big part of taking care of someone who is sick is making them feel as comfortable as possible. If they have something contagious, it’s also important to keep everyone else in the household healthy. These tips will help keep everyone feeling their best particullarly in Winter when there are lots of bugs going around.

The best sheets for a sick bed are those that can be washed in hot water and disinfected with chlorine bleach. You will probably need to change the sheets everyday, if not more often. Sometimes just changing the pillowcases will make the sick one feel more comfortable.

For your own protection, place the sheets in a laundry basket or hamper to carry them to the washer. If you carry them in your arms near your face, some germs can remain on your clothing or hands and cause problems.

If you have blood, vomit or medicine stains, treat these first. Sheets should then be washed in the hottest water possible with detergent and chlorine bleach to help kill germs, bacteria and head lice.

Line-drying sheets in the sun will also help to sanitize them.

Towels and Bathmats

Even though the humidity of the bathroom helps reduce dry skin, dust mites can still thrive. Towels and bathmats should be washed in hot water after two or three uses .

Stuffed Toys

If you have a child with allergies, stuffed toys should be washed frequently – especially if the child sleeps with the toy.

Curtains and Household Fabrics

In addition to regular vacuuming and dusting, all fabrics that can be washed should be done frequently including throw rugs and curtains.

Also try to dry all laundry on a clothesline outside in the fresh air and sunshine if you can, rather than in a clothes dryer. This is healthier and saves on your power bills.

Washers, dryers and dry cleaning make doing laundry easy, but they can be tough on the environment. With a few simple changes, you can reduce your environmental impact and trim your utility bills.

If laundry day doesn’t seem like a big deal, consider this: On average, an American household washes almost 400 loads of laundry a year, according to Energy Star.

Your laundry days add up, so it’s worth thinking about how you can minimize your household’s impact.

The less energy and water you use when washing your clothes, the better. Use your washer’s energy-saver setting if available. Washing your clothes with cold water will both slash energy costs (as you no longer have to pay to get the water hot!) and keep your clothes brighter longer – a double bargain for the earth and for your pocketbook. Also, cleaning your lint tray will keep your dryer working efficiently.

When it comes to loading your laundry machines, make sure you’re working with full loads. Filling your washer and dryer with clothes will help laundry day fly by faster and reduce energy use at the same time.

Consider not using your clothes dryer and use a clothesline instead. There are many different types of lines available designed to suit every type of home – either indoors or outside.