A hand-embroidered piece can last a lifetime, and with a little care it will look better every year. Linen softens with each wash, and well-kept embroidery holds its colour and shape for decades.
All Mairik clothing is made from 100% linen. The embroidery is 100% cotton thread on most pieces and 100% silk thread on others, such as the Van set and the Araks set in Blue. Always check the label of your piece first; the steps below are a safe default.
Washing
- Hand wash or a delicate cycle, cold. Use water at 30°C or below. For silk embroidery, hand washing is best.
- Turn it inside out. This protects the embroidery from rubbing.
- Use a gentle, mild detergent. Avoid bleach, optical brighteners and stain removers on the embroidered areas.
- Don't soak for long or scrub. Swish the piece gently and press water through it.
- Wash alone the first time, or with similar colours, in case deep reds or blues release a little dye.
For silk-embroidered pieces, a trusted dry cleaner who handles delicates is also a good option.
Drying
- Never wring or twist. Roll the piece in a clean towel and press to remove water.
- Dry flat or on a wide hanger in the shade. Direct sun can fade linen and silk over time.
- Skip the tumble dryer. Heat shrinks linen and can pucker the stitching.
Ironing
Iron while the linen is still slightly damp. Turn the piece inside out and lay the embroidered area face down on a thick towel. The towel cushions the stitches so they stay raised instead of being pressed flat. Use a medium heat for silk embroidery and a higher linen setting elsewhere, and avoid steam directly on silk thread.
Or simply embrace the crease: relaxed, softly wrinkled linen is part of its charm on a resort day.
Table linen and spills
Blot spills straight away with a clean cloth and cold water; never rub. Treat wine or candle wax before the cloth is washed. For wax, let it harden, lift what you can, then press between paper towels with a warm iron.
Storing
- Store clean and fully dry, folded loosely with acid-free tissue in the folds.
- Use a cotton bag or pillowcase rather than plastic, which traps moisture.
- Refold large tablecloths in a different place every few months so creases don't set.
Small repairs
If a thread works loose, don't pull it. Tuck it to the back with a needle, or contact us at info@mairik.com. Hand embroidery can usually be repaired by hand.
Looking after your piece is part of the story. It was made slowly, by hand, to be kept and passed on. Explore our linen clothing and table linen.
