Table Linen Drying Recommendations

Riegel Table Linen drying recommendations for on premise laundries without ironers:

Before drying:

  1. Make sure that temperature controls are working properly for heat and cool down.
  2. Make sure that lint is cleaned from the screens daily! This is a major fire hazard if it is not watched closely.
  3. Periodically inspect the inside of the dryer for rough, sharp edges. These are typically caused by silverware (or any hard object) making it through the washing process and ending up in the dryer. Damage occurs to the dryer basket as the objects make contact with the metal during the spinning of the dryer. The best way to inspect for these sharp edges is to place nylon material (i.e. stockings) on your hand and rub around the dryer basket. If you find a sharp edge that snags the fabric, use sandpaper to sand it down. (this should be done for your washers also.)

Drying:

  1. Load dryers up to 50% of the rated capacity.
  2. Set dryer to run at 30° F higher than the water temperature during washing. as dryers differ by manufacturing type, times will vary. approximate time should be between 10-20 minutes.
  3. Allow dryer to run on cool down before removing the table linen. times will again vary by dryer type and size, but typically cool down is between 10-12 minutes.
  4. After cool down, remove the linen and fold immediately. this will prevent wrinkling.

After drying and folding:

  1. Put linen on the shelf for at least 24 hours. this allows the fabric to “relax” and helps prevent wrinkling. the weight of the fabric in the stack will also help “press” the fabric and remove “soft” wrinkles.
  2. If wrinkling occurs, check for:
  • over or under loading of the dryer.
  • over or under drying.
  • faulty controls on the dryer. check to make sure heat and cool down work properly.
  • adequate par levels to accommodate recommended shelf life.