Recommendations for Handling Milliken Napery Fabrics With No Finishing Equipment

Basic Requirements:

1. Equipment must be free of burrs and sharp edges.
2. Washing equipment should have properly functioning water level and temperature controls.
3. Chemical feed systems must be functioning properly.
4. Drying equipment must have properly functioning temperature and cool-down controls.
5. Lint screens on dryers must be cleaned daily.
6. Standard operating procedure should include periodic inspections of the above listed requirements.

Processing Requirements:

1. Before placing new linen into service it should be washed separately to remove manufacturing residual dye. Darker shades may require additional washings.
2. Shade groups such as whites, dark, mediums, lights, and reds should be washed separately. For further information on shade groupings, click here.
3. All linen must be shaken out so debris (food and sharp objects) will not be loaded into the washer with the table linen.
4. Milliken Napery Fabrics should be washed separately from 100% Cotton and Poly/Cotton blends to avoid contamination from lint.
5. For good mechanical action, load washwheel: Full Drop—90%, Split Pocket—75%, Y-Pocket—65%.
6. Wash formula and wash chemicals should be appropriate for type and amount of soil to be removed.
7. Additional chemicals and/or wash time may be required for spun polyester over recommended Visa formulas.
8. Surfactants are recommended in the break cycle.
9. Adequate cool down in both the wash wheel and dryer is critical.

Processing Requirements for Gingham Checks:

1. All requirements as stated above.
2. Checks must be washed separately from all other linen products to prevent color transfer from other products.

Suggested Wash Formulas & Chemical Supplies for Milliken Napery:

Remember, this formula is a recommended starting point. Depending on your current situation, you may need to make changes.
* The true measure of alkalinity is PPM.
** Do NOT lower the temperature by more than 15 degrees per step. Set rinse temperatures based upon wash temperatures.
*** Time depends on machine design. Experience shows that centrifugal time in minutes = 1500 ÷ G force, G force = Basket RPm² x Dia. / 70,500.

1. Load washers to recommended washer capacity.
2. Washing should be performed at high temperature (140º F or higher). A gradual cool-down or split rinses should be used to step down the water temperature, 15º F (or less) increments until the load is at 90 - 100º F. Thermal shock may occur if rapid temperature drops take place.
3. Avoid softeners and waxes in the wash cycle, as these will mask the absorbency of the fabric.
4. Soaps of animal or vegetable fats should be avoided.
5. Do not use chlorine bleaches on colored napery.
6. Adequate rinsing is necessary to remove residual chemicals and to ensure maximum fabric life and color retention.

Suggested Drying Procedure:

1. Load dryers to 50% of the rated capacity.
2. Set heat cycle for a fabric temperature of 180º - 200º F.
3. Linen must be dry before “cool-down” cycle starts. Drying time usually varies between 10 and 20 minutes, depending on extraction, load size, and temperature.
4. The linen and walls of the dryer must be cooled down to room temperature before the dryer is stopped. Approximate cool-down times will range from 8 to 15 minutes.
5. To minimize wrinkling, expedite loads through all processing procedures: washing, drying, and folding.
6. These handling procedures should be utilized to obtain optimum flat-dry results:
   • Tablecloths and napkins should be unloaded from dryer immediately after cycle is complete. Tablecloths should be draped or spread across a cart or folding table as unloaded. Napkins should be stacked flat and as high as handling will permit.
   • Linen should be folded neatly, stacked by size and placed in an adequate storage area. Standard practice allowing 24-hour “shelf-time” will enhance the flat-dry appearance of the table linen.
7. Professional flat-dry results can best be obtained by ironing Milliken napery.