Ask Ina

I love to use linen napkins on a regular basis but find they get easily stained during the course of routine use. Do you have any tips on a fabric that stains less, or a a way to keep my napkins looking clean all the time without spending an hour each week treating them?

From Allison Bredbenner - Arlington, VA

I use a spray stain remover, then wash the linens in warm soapy water in the washing machine. I let them air dry so they don't shrink, and then iron them. That always works for me; hope it works for you, too!