Until the 1950s, the world's best linen yarn was produced in Scotland, Ireland and Belgium. The climates of these countries were perfect for natural processing methods called "retting," which is a stage in the manufacturing of vegetable fibers. It involves submerging specific plant leaves such as flax or hemp in water, and soaking them in order to separate the fibers from the other parts of the leaves. After they have soaked for a given period of time, they are removed and washed to remove the soft tissue and then dried so that only the fibers remain. Unfortunately, very little top-quality linen is produced today. However, it is still possible to find antique linen. If you are lucky enough to own some of these beautiful products, keeping them clean will ensure their longevity. In order to remove surface dirt and dust from your linens, carefully vacuuming the item on low suction with the vents open. Prior to putting them in the closet for storage, examine each linen for food and grease that may attract damaging insects or permanently stain the fabric. Each piece should be tested to see if is colorfast. Blot the linen with a white cloth and water or a mild cleaning solution. Once the linen has been tested, gently immerse it into the liquid and carefully agitate it by hand. Make sure to rinse the item carefully, in order to remove all soap residue. Use distilled water for the final rinse. This is especially important in areas with hard water.
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