Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/68005
TEN FOR TODAY of massage therapists in mind. "I got tired of hearing massage therapists talk about stained linens," she says. "It's a citrus-based solvent, which is very different from other products on the market that are petroleum-based. Anyone will tell you that vegetable oil is tough. It doesn't mix with water and it doesn't come out very easily. The citrus solvents are just phenomenal at eating vegetable oil." She says degreasers do not remove stains. That's what bleach is for. But before the bleach can work, massage linens may require an initial washing with a degreaser. 8. 9. DRYER SAFETY If a sheet comes out of the washer still smelling of oil, do not put it in the dryer. Drying it will only worsen the problem, because it will bake in the oil residue, making removal even harder. What's more, there's a safety issue involved. "We've had a number of people with dryer fires, because they put the stuff in the dryer and it combusted. There was simply too much residue on the linens," Dapkins says. FOLDING TECHNIQUE Yes, there really is a secret to folding a fitted sheet, and if you master it, your linen cabinets will be forever neater. Start by pulling the sheet out of the dryer immediately, not letting it sit around unfolded for hours. You'll need to spread the sheet out on a table or bed. Fold it in half horizontally, then tuck the top gathered end into the pocket formed by the bottom gathered end. Fold everything horizontally in half again. Then fold the bulky gathered ends horizontally into the middle of the sheet. Fold the smooth end over the top of the bulky end, then fold lengthwise into thirds yet again. If you're having trouble picturing this, a number of online reference sites have step-by- step picture guides. Just type "fold a fitted sheet" into your Web browser, and you'll find lots of online help. 10. LETTING GO Finally, if you see any sign of holes, broken elastic, fraying, or anything that looks unserviceable, it's time to find a different use for that sheet than putting it under a massage client. And if you've tried every trick you know and you still can't get a stain out, surrender to the inevitable and ditch the sheet. "If you get a year's worth of service out of a sheet, and you do 25 clients a week, remember that's just pennies per use. You've gotten your money out of that sheet," Dapkins says. who has a new appreciation for the intricacies of massage linens. Contact her at killarneyrose@ comcast.net. Rebecca Jones is a Denver-based freelancer visit massageandbodywork.com to access your digital magazine 97