| The science of laundry onboard When a whole new stew first starts working on a yacht, laundering, ironing, folding and organizing bed linens for 20 people could be a real headache. Check for spots and pre-treat before laundering. Do not overload the washer because fabrics need room to move around to get clean. Dry on low-to-medium heat, and remove while they are still slightly damp to iron them. Cotton is the most popular fiber for bed linens. Before sheets even go into the washer, sort them by size (twin, queen/full, and king). It is comfortable, easy to care for, and affordable. If they are changed more frequently, you should have extra sets so that the fibers have time to recover. Sheets can be washed on medium-to-warm cycles and dried on cool-to-warm settings. Many fabrics have care instructions similar to cotton, however always follow the directions supplied by the manufacturer. They are also one of the most common allergens. They reduce absorbency and can weaken the fibers. Whether you fold in half, in thirds or in quarters next will depend upon the the dimensions of the shelf space you have. The heat and humidity will release the wrinkles. Iron on medium heat to avoid weakening fibers. But there are other fabrics bed linens can be made of, including bamboo and modal, both of which are often blended with cotton and laundered in much the same way. Making sure that the sets get put back in the right place each time is crucial once you are turning the boat over after an owner's trip or a charter. There is nothing more annoying than grabbing a sheet thats in the wrong place and is the wrong size. You need to be able to tell the difference between a twin sheet, a queen sheet, and a king sheet immediately, because they will all be different sizes when folded exactly the same way each time. Labeling the shelves will save you time. If you must use bleach, an oxygen-based one is safer and gentler than chlorine bleach. Silk sheets can be machine washed in cold on the gentle cycle. After washing, check to be sure that all spots are removed. Avoid fabric softeners. Silk is durable and good for keeping you warm. Dry on a low setting. |
Sunday, 8 April 2012
The science of laundry onboard
