Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/68005
ten for today BY REBECCA JONES CHOOSING AND CARING FOR LINENS Michigan massage therapist Patrice Wisner thought she'd figured out her linen laundry dilemma when her husband started washing smaller loads and using more detergent. The result was cleaner sheets, fewer impossible-to-get-out oil stains, and no more lingering smell of oil. Then, some of her clients started sneezing when they got on her table. "Too much detergent?" she wonders. "Currently, we use detergent and bleach, but we're on a septic system and I can't say that it's all that great for my septic system to use so much bleach to get these sheets clean. But if I don't, they start to smell when they come out of the dryer, and at some point later on they start to smell like French fries! There's just got to be an answer." Table linens are one of the most important accessories massage therapists will purchase, since those linens are so visible to clients. And caring properly for the linens is one of the most important steps in maintaining a hygienic practice. The experts all agree: don't short sheet your massage practice by choosing anything less than the best-quality linens you can afford and keep them in tip-top shape. Here are some pointers for selecting the right linens for your practice, and how to care for them so they always send a positive message to clients. 1. PURE OR BLENDED Some people avoid 100 percent cotton sheets, preferring the wrinkle- resistance and greater durability that comes from cotton/polyester blends. But there's much to be said for the comfort and soft feel of 100 percent cotton. They also tend to release oil more readily than blends. Likewise, those who appreciate earth-friendly sheets may even look into hemp sheets—more expensive initially, but extremely long lasting—or certified- organic cotton sheets. Remember that you get what you pay for in most instances and quality sheets will not pill as easily as cheaper ones. There's no one best answer. It's just a matter of personal preference. 2. FLANNEL'S APPEAL "It's the most comfortable sheet there is," says Steve Gern, owner of Sew & Sew, a maker of massage sheets in Glide, Oregon. And while the quality of other kinds of sheets is measured in thread count—the higher the better, as a rule—that's not true with flannel sheets. Flannel is measured in weight. Sew & Sew, for instance, carries 3.8-ounce and 5-ounce flannel sheets, with the heavier-weight flannel costing a bit more. The heavier the weight, the more plush the feel and the more washings it can endure. And while flannel is mostly associated with chilly climates, it's actually a good product for warm weather, too, since it wicks away perspiration more readily than other materials. 3. YOUR LINEN CLOSET John Sise, owner of Innerpeace, a Walpole, New Hampshire, massage linen company, suggests keeping a minimum of two days worth of linens. So, if you're going to do five massages a day, you need to have at least 10 sets of standard-width (46-inch) sheets on hand. "We recognize that some people may need a wider top sheet, so we recommend that the therapist has a few wide top flat sheets to accommodate the people who may have extra modesty issues or are larger than the average client," Sise says. It's also a good idea to keep plenty of hand towels nearby. "They're really good for wiping a client off, so you don't have to use a sheet or a drape to wipe them off," says Diana Dapkins, president of Pure Pro Massage Products, of Greenfield, Massachusetts. "And if you spill a product, they're just a nice tool to have around." 94 massage & bodywork january/february 2009