This article explains how to pick the best detergent for your luxury bed, bath and table linen – and why you should leave commercial “grocery store” detergents behind on the shelf.
Launder Your Luxury Linen for Longevity
If you own high-quality bed, bath, and table linen, congratulations! You know these pieces are an investment in both luxury and longevity. And a big part of extending the beauty and performance of your fine home textiles is taking proper care of them, especially washing and drying them correctly. That’s why the Fine Linen and Bath design team dedicates extensive resources to helping clients learn how to take great care of their luxury linen (check out our blog and care guides to learn more).
Tips for Choosing the Right Detergent for Your Luxury Linens
As premiere retailers and linen lovers ourselves, we can’t overstate the importance of choosing the right detergent for washing fine bedding, towels, and table linen. After all, your pieces deserve the very best care. Read on for our professional tips on what to look for in a laundry detergent.
What to Look for in a Fine Linen Detergent
Avoid the Costly Error of Using the Wrong Detergent on Your Luxury Linens
1. Choose a Mild Detergent Made for Fine Fabrics
This is absolutely non-negotiable for successful long-term care of quality home linen. We recommend gentle, concentrated liquid detergent formulas that clean effectively while protecting fine fabrics like Le Blanc Fine Linen Wash or Heritage Park Heritage Laundry Essentials. Both are available in multiple scent options.
[Check Detergent Prices]
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2. Navigating the Detergent Aisle: Think Twice Before Buying
Tempted to purchase commercial brands on the grocery store shelf? Just roll your cart right on by. Along with containing an enormous amount of water (an unnecessary waste), these detergents are loaded with harsh chemicals like bleach and optical brighteners that can damage delicate fabric by weakening fibers and diminishing overall appearance and feel. You will notice that luxury detergents tend to be concentrated (less is more!) which make them easier to use and more efficient.
3. Safeguarding Linens with Plant-Based Ingredients
Yes, we want you to read the label! The ingredient list should be easy to understand and brief. Heritage Park All-Purpose Detergent contains just nine plant-based ingredients (read about those here). Just as important? Pick a formula that is made without the following harsh chemicals: dyes, phosphates, sulfates, chlorine, bleach, and brighteners. Heritage Park Detergents do NOT contain any of these chemicals.
4. Why Enzyme-Infused Detergents Are a Game-Changer for Luxury Linens
Natural detergent enzymes are a powerful ingredient that can help clean and remove stains. Select a detergent that includes a blend of natural enzymes, each of which target specific types of stains. Sometimes called “biological detergents,” enzyme detergents break down and dissolve protein-based stains, such as those from grass, mud, gravy, dairy, fats, and more. You can read how enzymes work here.
Note: You should never use an enzyme detergent for regular washing of protein-based natural fibers like silk or wool; these items should be washed in an enzyme-free detergent like Heritage Park Silk and Wool Detergent. Learn more about how to wash silk sheets here.
[Check Prices on Silk Detergent]
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5. Why a pH-Neutral Detergent Matters for Linen Longevity
Many commercial detergents tend to be a bit high on the pH scale (more basic than acid) due to their chemical ingredients. Using a detergent that is too high or too low in pH can damage clothing and even irritate your skin. A pH-neutral detergent is closer to the pH of water and will help maintain the integrity of fabric. All Heritage Park detergents are pH-neutral.
6. One Detergent, Multiple Uses: The Power of Versatility
Choose a detergent that can clean a range of fabrics; be used in all temperatures; works in both a regular or HE washing machine; and can also be used for hand-washing. Heritage Park All-Purpose Detergent can do all of that in any temperature or machine; use it for polyester, acrylic and synthetics, bamboo and other wood fiber-based fabrics, blends, and more. Also the fragrance-free varieties of Heritage Park All-Purpose and Silk and Wool detergents are lab-certified hypoallergenic and pediatrician- and dermatologist-tested (important for sensitive skin!).
7. Wash with Care: Embrace Environmentally-Friendly Detergent Options
Select a detergent that are biodegradable and septic- and greywater-safe. Heritage Park detergents are and they are Leaping Bunny certified free from animal testing and can be purchased in eco-friendly refill packs to save plastic.
8. Rejuvenate Your Linens: Alternatives to Harsh Bleaches and Brighteners
Avoid using chlorine bleach, which can cause colored fabric to fade and whites to yellow. If you want to brighten and refresh towels, you can remove build up and restore softness with this simple process using baking soda and vinegar.
Step One: Wash your towels in hot/warm water (not scalding) with one cup of white distilled vinegar to remove buildup.
Step Two: Run a second time with only a half-cup of baking soda. This will help freshen and remove any smells.
9. Ditching Fabric Softeners for Dryer Balls
Never use fabric softener or any type of dryer sheet on your fine linen. These products leave a waxy build-up on fabric and inside your machines. Instead, use natural wool dryer balls to soften and speed drying time.
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10. When Luxury Linens Meet Life's Messes: Stain Care 101
Life – and messes – happen, even to luxury home linen. Approach stains with care, and follow these guidelines for stain removal on expensive linens. In many cases, stains can be removed with a pre-treatment of concentrated enzyme detergent.
We hope you find these suggestions helpful on your quest for the perfect luxury laundry detergent. Note: these tips can also be used when choosing a detergent for washing your clothes. In closing, remember that our Fine Linen and Bath design team is here to answer any questions you have about laundry detergent or home linen care.
