The finest household textiles are made to be lived with. With the right care, linen becomes softer and more supple, cotton sateen retains its lustre, terry cloth keeps its loft and absorbency, and ALIA Fibra di Legno preserves its delicate finish.
The important thing is not to treat every fabric in the same way. Each fibre responds differently to water, heat and drying, and embroidery deserves particular consideration.
Here is how we care for each Maison Alia material.
Linen
Linen rewards use. With time and proper care, it softens, relaxes and develops the beautiful drape that makes it such an enduring household textile.
Washing
Treat stains promptly — see the Stain Removal Guide below — as they become far more difficult to remove once set into natural linen fibres.
Hand wash or machine wash on a gentle cycle using cold to warm water and a mild detergent. Never use bleach or fabric softener.
Do not overload the machine. Linen needs room to move freely.
Do not wring. Gently press out excess water instead.
Drying
Air dry where possible, away from prolonged direct sunlight.
If using a dryer, choose a low heat setting and remove the linen while it is still slightly damp.
Ironing
Iron while still damp to achieve linen's signature crispness and natural lustre.
A hot iron with steam works best, always on the reverse side of embroidered areas.
Dry Cleaning
For heavily embroidered pieces or those with delicate antique-inspired finishes, professional dry cleaning is recommended.
Storage
Linen is woven from natural fibres that need to breathe. Store it in a cool, dry, well-ventilated space, away from direct sunlight, which can cause permanent yellowing over time.
Fold flat rather than hanging, to avoid permanent creases along embroidered borders. Table linens may also be loosely rolled.
For long-term storage, wrap pieces in breathable cotton cloth rather than plastic bags or cedar boxes, which can trap moisture or transfer scent.
A linen or lavender sachet may be tucked between folded pieces for a lasting, delicate fragrance.
Cotton Sateen
Maison Alia cotton sateen is woven for exceptional softness from the very first night, becoming even more supple with every gentle wash.
Washing
Machine wash at 30°C on a gentle cycle, turned inside out to protect the embroidery.
Whites may be washed up to 40°C if heavily soiled, always separately from colours.
Use a mild, biodegradable liquid detergent formulated for delicate fabrics. Powder detergents dissolve less evenly and can leave residue on embroidery threads.
Avoid bleach and harsh whitening agents, which weaken both the fibres and the embroidery.
Avoid fabric softener, as it gradually coats the cotton sateen and diminishes its natural lustre.
Drying
Tumble dry on a low heat setting, or line dry away from direct sunlight. Prolonged sun exposure fades colour and yellows white cotton over time.
Remove while still slightly damp rather than fully dry; this makes ironing easier and reduces wear on the fibres.
Ironing
Iron while the fabric is still slightly damp, using a medium setting on the reverse side of embroidered areas.
Avoid spray starch, which can dull the sateen's natural sheen.
Terry Cloth
Terry cloth is at its best when its loops remain full and open. The aim is to preserve absorbency rather than coat the fibres in products that create temporary softness.
Washing
Wash new pieces before first use to restore the natural loft of the terry loops and maximise absorbency.
Machine wash at 30°C, turning embroidered towels and robes inside out, and wash separately from sheets or table linens to avoid pilling.
Avoid fabric softener, which coats the terry fibres and gradually reduces absorbency.
For extra softness and to prevent detergent build-up, add a small amount of white vinegar to the final rinse instead.
Avoid bleach on embroidered areas to preserve the colour and finish of the threads.
Drying
Tumble dry on a medium heat setting to maintain a full, plush texture.
Even a few minutes in the dryer after line-drying will help restore softness.
ALIA Fibra di Legno
ALIA Fibra di Legno requires a gentler approach to heat and handling. Treat the fabric delicately and avoid twisting or aggressive drying.
Washing
Machine wash cold to 30°C maximum on a delicate cycle, turning the fabric inside out.
Use a mild detergent designed for delicate fabrics and never use bleach.
Do not wring the fabric; gently press out excess water instead.
Drying
Dry flat, or tumble dry on the lowest heat setting.
Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, which may weaken the fibres over time.
Ironing
Iron on a low-to-medium setting while still slightly damp, always on the reverse side of embroidered motifs.
Stain Removal
Speed matters, but the right treatment depends on the stain. Blot rather than rub wherever possible, and use the treatment appropriate to the mark.
Rinse with cold water first
Blood — Rinse immediately in cold water only, never hot, which sets the stain permanently, then dab with a little mild detergent. On a dried mark, apply a paste of baking soda and cold water, leave for 30 minutes, then rinse and wash as usual.
Curry or turmeric — Rinse under cold running water from the reverse side immediately, apply a little dish soap, then leave the piece to dry in direct sunlight, which helps naturally fade any remaining trace. Avoid hot water and any delay, as turmeric sets very quickly.
Grass — Rinse with cold water first, then dab with rubbing alcohol or a paste of baking soda and water before washing. Avoid hot water, which can set the green pigment.
Absorb with salt, baking soda or cornstarch
Red wine — Cover generously with salt to draw out the liquid, leave to absorb, then rinse with cold water. Repeat if needed. Do not rub, as this spreads the stain.
Olive oil or grease — Do not let it soak into the fabric. Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch over the mark and leave for a few hours until it thickens, then brush off and wash as usual.
Treat with rubbing alcohol
Lipstick or makeup — Blot, do not rub, with a cotton pad dampened in rubbing alcohol, working from the outer edge of the stain inward, then treat with a drop of dish soap before washing.
Ink — Place the stained area against a clean white towel and carefully dab the reverse side with rubbing alcohol, moving to a clean section of towel as the ink transfers. Rinse thoroughly before washing.
Soak in a vinegar solution
Tomato sauce or ketchup — Scrape off any excess, then sponge with cold water from the outer edge inward. If a trace remains, soak for 30 minutes in a solution of one part white vinegar to two parts cold water before washing.
Perspiration or deodorant — Sponge with a solution of one part white vinegar to four parts cold water, then wash as usual. Avoid chlorine bleach, which can turn these marks yellow over time.
Coffee, tea and chocolate
Coffee or tea — Treat promptly with cool water, then apply a small amount of mild liquid detergent before washing according to the care instructions for the fabric. Repeat if necessary.
Chocolate — Scrape away any excess with the dull side of a knife, rinse the reverse side under cold water, then apply a little liquid detergent directly to the mark before washing.
Special techniques
Candle wax — Harden the wax with an ice cube, then gently scrape away as much as possible with the dull side of a knife. Iron the area between two sheets of absorbent paper, changing the paper until all the wax has been lifted.
White wine — Rinse with sparkling water, then blot with a clean white cloth. Repeat until the mark lifts.
A Final Note
Good care is less about complicated rituals than knowing what each material needs. Linen wants room and breathability. Cotton sateen responds to gentle washing and low heat. Terry cloth needs its fibres kept free of softener. ALIA Fibra di Legno asks for the gentlest handling of all.
Treat stains quickly, use heat thoughtfully, and always pay particular attention to embroidered areas.
These pieces are made to be used, washed and lived with — and careful maintenance is what allows them to become more beautiful with time.
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