Care Of Family Clothing And Household Linen

Household linen is a term used collectively to include a variety of textile articles used in the home. A good supply of household linen is a very necessary item in the home; they are expensive and require good care.

TYPES OF HOUSEHOLD LINEN AND THEIR USES

A. CURTAINS AND DRAPERIES: These are fabrics or materials used for decorating our doors and windows. Curtains can be light or heavy, opaque or transparent.

Uses of Curtains and Draperies

1. They shade the room from excessive light and wind.
2. They beautify the room by adding colour to it.
3. They provide privacy for family.
4. They establish the character and mood of a room.

B. BED LINEN: Includes all the different types of fabrics materials used to make the bed. They are: 

1. Mattress covers used for covering the mattress in order to protect it from dust and dirt
2. Bed sheets used for making the bed
3. Pillow cases used for covering the pillows
4. Bed spreads used as spread over a made bed and as a covering for the person lying on the bed
5. Blankets used as  covering for warmth in cold nights.

C. TABLE LINEN: refers to all clothes and mats used on the table. They include;

1. Table clothes used for covering the table
2. Place mats used on the table for setting  cover. The cover refers to the place set for one person on the dining table.
3. Table napkins used during meals for protecting your dress and for wiping the mouth and hands
4. Tea clothes used for wiping or cleaning the table.

D. BATHROOM LINEN: they are made up of

1. Bath-towels used for wiping the dry after bath
2. Face-towels; these are smaller than bath towels and they are used for cleaning the face.

E. KITCHEN LINEN

1. Hand towels used for wiping and drying hands
2. Oven gloves or cloths; they are often padded and used for taking out hot pans and dishes from the oven or top of the cooker.
3. Dish clothes are non-fluffy clothes used for wiping off spills on kitchen surfaces
4. Glass cloth for blotting off water or moisture from vegetables and fruits
5. Muslim; this is a light loosely woven fabric used for straining during food preparation e.g in the preparation of starch or coconut milk or soya milk.
6. Tea towels; used for blotting off water or moisture from vegetables and fruits and wiping glass-wares, crockery and cutlery

FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE SELECTION OF HOUSEHOLD LINEN

The following points are to be considered when selecting household linen

1. What the linen is to use for
2. The type of fabric
3. Durability of the fabric
4. Size of the bed and pillows should be considered when choosing bed sheets, mattress covers e.t.c.
5. All types of towels should be soft and absorbent
6. Household linen should be colour-fast
7. The needs of the family
8. The size of the family
9. Money available.

EVALUATION:

• Mention 5 factors to consider when choosing household linen.
• State 5 kitchen linen and their uses.