Table linens often combine fine fabrics, detailed finishes, and stains from meals or gatherings. A little preparation before dry cleaning helps your cleaner understand what each piece needs. Check linens in good light, keep delicate items apart, and share what you know about the fabric and spills. These simple steps can reduce guesswork and help protect hems, embroidery, lace, and other details. Avoid trying to remove a stain yourself unless the care label recommends a specific method.
Check Each Piece First
Spread each tablecloth, runner, or napkin on a clean surface and inspect both sides. Look for food, oil, candle wax, drink spills, makeup, and marks near the edges. Check seams and folds, where residue can hide. Note any loose threads, small holes, pulled embroidery, or weak hems so the cleaner can assess them before treatment.
If a stain is fresh, gently blot it with a clean, dry cloth. Press rather than rub, which can push residue deeper or disturb the weave. Avoid applying water, detergent, stain remover, or heat unless the care label specifically directs you to do so. Some treatments can set a stain or affect dyes and finishes.
Make Spill Notes
Attach a note to the bundle or make a short list describing the location and likely source of each spill. For example, identify a mark as red wine on the corner of the tablecloth or butter near the center of a napkin. If you know when it happened or what was spilled, include that information. If you are unsure, say so rather than guessing.
Point out stains that have already been treated at home and mention what you used. Include any marks that are difficult to see when the fabric is folded. Clear notes help the cleaner focus on the right areas and choose an appropriate approach; they do not guarantee that every stain will come out, particularly if it has aged or been heat-set.
Separate Delicate Pieces
Keep lace, embroidered linens, heirloom pieces, and items with beads, fringe, appliqué, or other embellishments separate from sturdier cotton or synthetic table linens. Place them in a clean, breathable bag or wrap them in a clean, light-colored cloth. Avoid tight plastic bags for storage, especially if linens are damp, because trapped moisture can encourage musty odors.
Bundle matching items together, but do not fasten them with pins, clips, or rubber bands that could snag or mark the fabric. If a piece is fragile, unusually large, or especially valuable to your household, identify it clearly and ask the cleaner to review its condition and care options before proceeding.
Share Fabric and Care Details
Check labels for fiber content and care instructions, then pass that information along with the linens. Mention whether a piece is linen, cotton, silk, a blend, or an unknown fabric. Share details about special finishes, handwork, prior repairs, or past cleaning if you know them. Do not remove labels; they may contain useful guidance for handling the item.
Tell the cleaner what matters most to you, such as preserving a delicate hem, treating a particular stain, or keeping a set together. If the label is missing or the fabric is uncertain, say so. Detroit Linen Care can discuss the pieces with you when you bring them in, so questions can be addressed before cleaning begins.
Before drop-off, gather your spill notes, separate delicate pieces, and include any labels or care information you have. These details give your cleaner a clearer starting point and help flag areas that need special attention. For questions about preparing household table linens, contact Detroit Linen Care or bring the items in for a conversation.