Belvivere fine linens are made from high quality
natural fibers offering customers guarantees of extended durability.
Proper care is essential for a good long-lasting preservation of
your household linens and to safeguard their beautiful appearance.
Just follow the simple care and maintenance rules outlined below
for

your fine linens to wear softly and smoothly through
endless washings.
While Belvivere products can be easily washed at home, please be
sure to read the care label on each item for best results.

Machine wash your fine linens in warm water on a
gentle cycle with a cold-water rinse.

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Pre-wash linens before first
use.

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Separate your linens from other items in
the wash.

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Separate light and dark colors.

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Avoid overloading the washing machine, which
can cause fibers to break down from excessive abrasion and
agitation.

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Be careful to pre-treat any stains prior
to washing.

Detergent

Use a neutral or mild detergent that does not contain
any bleaching agents such as chlorine or peroxide. Do not pour detergent
directly on textiles; rather, add it to the water as the wash tub
fills or dilute detergent with water, then add linens. Unless linens
are very soiled, you only need to use half the recommended amount
of detergent. We recommend the following detergents for your luxury
linens: “The Laundress” www.thelaundress.com
(212-209-0074) , “LeBlanc - Linen Wash” www.linenwash.com
(800-814-9274) or “The Laundry” www.linenlaundry.com
(800-637-6334).

Bleaching

Do not bleach. Chlorine bleach can weak fibers and
cause them to yellow. If white fabrics need bleaching, use an oxygen-based
bleach.

Drying

You can machine dry your fine linens on low heat.
Shake out damp linens before placing in the dryer. Tumble dry for
no more than 5 to 7 minutes on low setting only. Remove and press
while damp. This will help maintain the luster and lifespan of your
fine linens. Overdrying is the most harmful process for fabrics
as it weakens the fibers causing shrinkage and pilling. Line drying
outdoors is also a good option when possible.

Shrinkage

All natural fibers will shrink to some extent, but
in most instances we generously overcut our items to allow for shrinkage.
Do not wash or, especially, dry linens on a hot setting, which is
most likely to cause shrinkage.

Ironing

Remove your linens from the dryer promptly while
still damp to reduce wrinkles. Smooth and fold, or press with an
iron if desired.
Iron linens while still slightly damp on the reverse side of the
fabric. Use a steam iron on a warm/hot setting for cotton; use a
hot setting for linen and a water spritzer if needed. Iron damask/jacquard
fabrics on the reverse side first, then on the front side to bring
out the sheen. Embroidered items should be ironed on the reverse
side atop a towel to preserve the three-dimensional effect of the
embroidery. Use a press cloth to protect delicate lace and cutwork.
To restore the lustrous face of sateen fabrics, iron on the reverse
side.

Special care

After washing, it is very important to rinse the
soap residue out with plenty of cold water immediately. Never leave
wet or damp embroidered items on top of another.
Wash embroidered items separately and add salt to the water.
Silk linens may be dry cleaned, hand washed, or machine washed on
a gentle cycle.
When drying linen never wring it out. This will cause wrinkling
and may weaken the fibers. Set dryer at the lowest setting possible,
and then hang linen or lie flat to completely dry. Roll your linen
in a towel to soak up extra moisture.To iron linen it’s important
to keep the fabric damp. Linen becomes fragile and delicate when
dry.

Professional Cleaning

Professional hand washing is recommended for the
most delicate linens – those with heavy embellishments or
embroideries; heirlooms or worn linens. Be sure to use a reputable
launderer who knows how to launder delicate linens. For special
care we recommend “The Laundry” www.linenlaundry.com
(800-637-6334).

Bath towel’s Care

Your bath linens should be soft and absorbent, a
cozy cocoon to wrap yourself in after a relaxing bath or shower.
Just follow these simple suggestions to prolong the life of your
bath towels while preserving their look and feel.

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Machine wash using warm water
and a non-chlorine bleach detergent. Chlorine bleach will
weaken the fabric and cause yellowing. Always separate light
and dark colors – and wash towels only with other towels
to prevent pilling. Do not overstuff your washing machine.

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Never use fabric softener when washing towels,
as this could make them less absorbent.

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Tumble dry on low heat.

Table Linens Care

A lovely addition to any home, a well-dressed table
sets the scene for many family gatherings and special occasions.
Just follow these simple suggestions to ensure a long-lasting preservation
of your fine table linens.

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Machine wash in hot water for
whites, warm for colors.

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Use pure soap for soft water or a gentle
detergent in hard water. Use oxygenated bleach for whites
only – chlorine bleach can weaken the fabrics and cause
yellowing.

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Use the rinse cycle to remove all detergent.
This will help avoid “age spots” which are caused
by oxidation of the fibers.

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Treat the stains when they are fresh. If
allowed to set, stains may be impossible to remove at a later
date.

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Delicate lace and embellished linens should
be placed in laundry bag (or a pillowcase) before being placed
in the washing machine.

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Avoid twisting or wringing out linens before
drying. Tumble dry on low setting until slightly damp.

Removing spots and stains on fine linens

Here are some suggestions:

Wine

White wine is always easiest and will usually come
out during a soapy washing in hot water.
Red wine is a different story, try sprinkling salt on the stain
followed by soaking the linen in cold water. If the stain remains
rub it out with more salt then wash. Also soaking a stain with club
soda and water will often remove it.

Coffee or tea stains

Probably, if serving, you wont be able to treat these
stains before they are dry, to treat dry stains, use a mix of one
part glycerine, and one part water to loosen the stain. Another
way to get out tougher stains on tougher fabrics is to stretch the
fabric over a bowl and pour boiling water through it from about
2 or 3 feet high until the stain disappears.

Fruit and berry stains

Take a wet stain and sprinkle it with salt and then
rub the stain with a damp soapy sponge. Then wait a few hours and
rinse. Another way to get out tougher stains on tougher fabrics
is to stretch the fabric over a bowl and pour boiling water through
it from about 2 or 3 feet high until the stain disappears. Try soaking
in 1 part borax to 6 parts water.

For FRUIT, COFFEE and TEA you can rub with alcohol,
white vinegar and ammonia

Chocolate stains

For delicate linens try sponging them with warm water
while ringing out the sponge often.
For your tougher linens, try putting dry borax on the stain and
then washing in cold water.

Blood stains

Always start removing a blood stain by using cold
water, if you use hot water you will just "set" the stain.
Wash as soon as you can with cold water, and then for hard to get
out stains soak the linen in salty cold water, then wash as usual.
Rinse immediately in cold water.

Grease stains

Try to remove these stains while they are still fresh.
Put baking soda on it and leave it for a few hours, then brush off
baking soda and wash.

Apply an absorbent such as talcum powder or cornstarch
to the affected area, then brush away. If the stain is heavy or
old, proceed to Step 2; if fresh, skip to Step 3.

1.

Place stain facedown on paper
towels. Blot back of stain with a dry-cleaning solvent. Replace
paper towels as they soak up the stain.

2.

Spray with laundry pretreatment.

3.

Wash in the hottest water that's safe for
the garment.

4.

Air dry.

Ketchup and mustard

Remove excess mustard or ketchup by scraping with
a dull knife or blotting with paper towels. Sponge stain with cool
water. Gently work a mild detergent into stain. Rinse in cool water.
Apply a laundry stain remover. Wash and air dry.

Ink

Soak in milk, or in a soap and ammonia blend, and
rub the stain.

Wax stains

Chill with ice and scrape away as much wax as you
can with a dull knife. Place a sheet of butcher paper, glossy side
up, or a portion of a brown paper bag on top of the wax. Press the
tip of a warm iron gently over the affected area until the wax melts
and attaches to the paper. Lift the paper from the fabric as it
cools. Dab a small amount of denatured alcohol onto the stain if
any candle dye remains on the fabric. Sponge with water. Wash the
fabric as usual.

Tips to store bed linens

Wash and dry your washable linens
before storing them.

Remove linens from dryer while still warm
so they don't wrinkle. If they're already cool, put them back
in the dryer and dry for a couple of minutes with a moist
cloth.

Fold linens.

Store linens in a cool, dark and dry spot.

Use cotton, linen or muslin if storing your
linens in a garment bag. Don't use anything synthetic.

Place tags on your linens or on the shelves
in your linen closet describing the type and size of item
you're storing.

Place a lavender sachet with your linens
to keep them smelling fresh.

Rotate your linens every six months.

Don't store your linens in anything plastic,
cardboard or cedar. Each emits fumes and acids that can stain
or yellow your linens.

Avoid storing linens in the bathroom, as
the moisture will lead to mildewing.

It's a great idea to have at least three
sets of sheets per bed. Use one on the bed, one in storage,
and one in the laundry

Rotate the sheets sets you use (vs. the sets
you store) frequently so they wear evenly.

Change sheets once a week in normal climates,
more often in hot and humid regions.