The Trick to Perfect Linen Napkins

It may surprise you to know that within the last six months, I have had two very serious conversations with close friends about starched linen napkins.  The friends were lamenting how difficult it is to get a linen napkin wrinkle free and how they wished they had a better way.  Enter stage left, the starched linen napkin trick...  Wash your linen napkins as your normally would, but do not put them in the dryer.  Instead, while they are still damp from the washing machine, spray them with spray starch.  (Note: I recently purchased some scented spray starch.  While this would be wonderful for bath and bedroom linens, I would avoid it for linens you use while dining.  The scent can be a little strong and may overwhelm the lovely aroma of your dinner.)  If you are using them immediately, iron them while still damp and after you have sprayed them with spray starch.  If you are not using them right away, fold them and place in a zip lock bag and store in your freezer.  (Note: My freezer is nearly half full of napkins, runners and place mats, that's how much I believe in and use this method.)  When you are ready to prepare them for use, remove from the freezer, wait a few minutes until you are able to unfold them, and iron them as you normally would to achieve a smooth, flawless napkin.

Stay tuned, how to fold your napkins will follow!

With regard to your tablecloth, this will not work (I have tried it).  I recommend sending your tablecloths to the cleaners to be starched like men's shirts.  They will hang, somewhat folded, until you are ready to use them.  They will have some creases that will ease over time.  With a white tablecloth, I apply a bleach pen such as Tide or Clorox as spots appear.  Protect your table beneath the spot from the cleaning solution, however, with a paper towel or dish cloth. 

You are certainly also able to send your napkins to the cleaners for the same treatment.  Dinner and luncheon napkins (dinner napkins are larger), however, will most likely get folded, and the folds may not be to your liking or in places that don't work with how you'd like to present your napkins.