I have a commercial client who wants my store to take over the cloth napkin laundry service for his Italian restaurant. I’m not sure what is required to perform a quality service for this specific account. The napkins are red and often will have oil and other food stains. The client wants these napkins laid out flat for delivery.
What are the best laundry methods and products for such a challenge? Also, do such napkins need to be re-dyed from time to time?
First of all, to wash these items, you will require a machine that features a pre-wash cycle, a wash cycle and three rinses. The pre-wash cycle should be hot water at a low level. Next, the wash cycle should hot water at a medium to high level. And, lastly, the rinses should be cold water at a high level.
For the pre-wash and wash cycles, you need to use the hottest water you can possibly achieve at your store; anywhere from 150 to 165 degrees is optimum.
I would recommend using a di-limonene-based liquid laundry detergent in the pre-wash and wash cycles. Also in the wash cycle, add non-chlorinated, color-safe bleach.
Softeners should not be used on the napkins. This is because softeners can water-proof certain surfaces, and in this case, since napkins are used for wiping and catching spills, you want them to be absorbent and not actually reject any liquid-type spills.
After the first washing and drying, check the napkins to see if any of the items still have grease or oil stains. If so, re-wash those in an alkaline-based or built detergent. Use the detergent manufacturer’s recommended amount, and repeat the washing process the same way as the first time through. This should remove any lingering stains.
As far as re-dying the red napkins, I wouldn’t get involved in that process. It’s a process that sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t – and even the professionals have occasional problems with re-dying items. If the color comes out of the napkins to a point where they no longer look presentable, I would suggest that the client simply purchase new napkins. After all, it might cost more money to try to re-dye them then to buy new ones.
What advice can you give for washing throw rugs?
Most throw rugs can be washed, even with a rubber backing. However, when washing any kind of a rug, wash it in cold water — because it’s hard to determine how many different materials the rug is really composed of. Always air dry, or dry with very low heat. If you can, run them through a tumbler without any heat at all. The things that generally destroy a throw rug are hot water, bleach and heat.
Of course, when the rubber backing on carpets age, you shouldn’t wash them; that rubber backing has a finite lifecycle. Generally, a good brand is good for six to eight washings. And with a less expensive brand, you could begin to see that backing disintegrate after the second or third washing.
Just remember: cold water, liquid detergent, low heat or no heat, and air drying.
I’m having trouble removing a musty odor from some of my garments. What’s the problem, and more importantly what’s the solution?
Most likely, the problem is with the materials that are being used by the garment manufacturers. Today, most cotton garments come from China, Pakistan and India. And these items are processed with resins that are different from those in the Unites States, and that’s partly where that odor may be coming from.
The other problem could be with the packaging process. Some of these imported garments are wrapped in polyethylene. This film can develop a strong stale odor as it ages, and that odor can permeate the fibers of the garments – and it can become extremely hard to remove.
I would suggest washing the garments in hot water, with quality detergent and ammonia. Do not use a liquid softener; instead use dryer sheets. Also, you might have to repeat this process a few times to completely remove the odor.
