What Is the Meaning of Linen Storage?
The term 'linen' may refer to several sorts of cloth---traditional linen made from the flax plant (Linum usitatissimum), other fabric woven in a linen-style weave, or coarser woven cloths for use as beddings, kitchen fabrics and tableware. Whichever sort is referred to, proper storage of linen is a necessary process to ensure its continued usability, and, in the case of medical linen, that it does not become a vector for disease. Does this Spark an idea?
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General Storage
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Irrespective of the type of linen that is to be stored, linen storage must follow certain principles to help ensure that linen stays serviceable for years. Linen is one of the strongest of the natural fabrics, but it can degrade if stored in damp conditions. In addition, it is a stiff fabric that creases very easily. It can also tear along frequent crease lines if care is not taken.
Segregation
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Linen should be segregated and stored according to where each particular product is to be used. Combining many sorts of linen in one area can be messy, and it may be hard to locate particular linens with this method. Clothing and bedding items should be stored in or near bedrooms, bathroom linen close to bathrooms and kitchen and dining-room linen near kitchens and dining rooms.
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Clothing Storage
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Linen cloth used in clothes is easily creased, and such creasing has become one of the defining characteristics of said clothes. However, linen clothes that are too creased can be considered unsightly. In addition, crease damage is a common problem of ill-maintained linen clothes. This is why clothes that are linen are best placed away from stacked utility linen and stored in dedicated clothing-storage areas where they are less likely to be compressed, such as a wardrobe bag.
Utility-cloth Storage
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Utility linens, which include kitchen, table and bed linens, are best stored in dedicated linen closets or storage areas. These linens can be stacked neatly and according to their sort (tablecloths, bedsheets, napkins and aprons should be placed all together for ease of organization), and they can be removed for use as needed. Heirloom linens, which have been passed down through generations and are significantly more valuable than daily linens, may be retired from active use.
Medical-linen Storage
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Special requirements exist for the storage and processing of bed linen used in medical settings. It is often contaminated with bodily fluids that may be infected with viruses or bacteria. To prevent any infections or diseases from spreading, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued recommendations for the processing and storage of soiled linen. Once removed from any area, it should be handled as little as possible, bagged or placed in containers to avoid leakage, and sorted and stored before being cleansed only by trained personnel wearing appropriate protective gear. After thorough cleaning, it may be stored according to hospital procedures.
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