How to care for luxury linens? Most of our luxury bedding made of cotton, linen or micro-modal (SDH Legna) is machine washable and dryable. The exception is certain matelasse (piquet) coverlets which shrink considerably and need to be dry cleaned. Heat is the enemy! We do not recommend washing or drying with high heat which breaks the fibers and reduces the lifespan of your fine linens. If you want to enjoy your luxury bedding for years to come: Wash in lukewarm water Wash linens separately from other household items. The friction caused by zippers or buttons on clothing will reduce the lifespan of your fine bedding. Washing towels with bed linens will cause the bedding to lint. Use a wash powder or liquid that does not contain bleach or optical brighteners, and use about 1/2 of the manufacturers recommended amount. You may also wish to dilute the powder or liquid before adding to the machine. We highly recommend THE LAUNDRY which is composed of organic substances, and is PH balanced. Using THE LAUNDRY will extend the lifespan of your fine linens. Stay away from fabric softeners - all natural fibers will relax with repeated washing and become softer over time. Like women and some wines, linen (flax) becomes particularly fine with age. Do not overdry! Ideally, you want to line dry your linens. But let's get real. Most of us will use a dryer. Therefore, take your fine bedding out of the dryer just before it is completely dry. If you want to iron pillowcases or shams, it will be easier if the linens are slightly damp. We recommend an ordinary "spritzer" bottle to dampen your linens. Higher quality cotton bed linens wrinkle less. Unless you have a photo shoot for Architectural Digest, just smooth the linens with your fingers after removing them from the dryer, put them on the bed, and enjoy a comfy night's sleep! You can also cheat by ironing only the shams/pillowcases and top portion of the top sheet. Cashmere and wool: Cashmere and wool blankets need to be dry cleaned. Down comforters and pillows: If you use a duvet cover, your down comforter will only need infrequent cleaning. Some companies claim that their down comforters and pillows may be washed, but if you don't dry them completely, the down will start to mold. Logic and common sense in washing insure that your luxury linens will give you many years of enjoyment. Return to Bedding Basics. Aiko Luxury Linens - Miami, Florida