Grace Thompson
Catholic altar linens are made from fine linen and require special care and attention to keep them in good condition. They are used during services and to adorn altars, with different linens used for specific purposes, such as the corporal, which is used to catch crumbs during the Eucharist. Altar linens are subject to various stains, from wine to wax, and need to be carefully laundered, ironed, and folded for storage. Ironing linens can be tricky, as they must be damp, but not too wet, and the iron must be clean to avoid staining the fabric. This guide will take you through the process of ironing Catholic altar linens, from removing stains to the final press of the creases.
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What You'll Learn
Removing wax and soot
Wax and soot stains are some of the toughest stains to remove from altar linens. Before attempting to remove wax and soot, check the whole length of the linen for drippings and soot.
First, remove as much wax as possible by gently flexing the fabric and scraping or brushing away any loose pieces. You can also try freezing the linen or applying an ice cube to make the wax more brittle and easier to remove. Scrape the wax off with the dull side of a butter knife, but be gentle to avoid damaging the fabric. Do not use an iron to remove the wax, as the heat is likely to set the stains.
Next, address any remaining wax residue and soot stains. Treat the area with a wax remover meant for fabric, following the instructions on the bottle. Let it sit for at least five minutes before laundering. If you are using EZ Task Wax Remover, reapply it just before placing the altar cloth into the washer. If this product does not work, try using isopropyl alcohol with the highest alcohol content available (preferably 99%). Apply the alcohol to the spot and gently massage the linen between your hands, then wash immediately. For particularly stubborn sooty wax stains, you can try using Carbona Stain Wizard.
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Linen moisture levels
The moisture level of the altar linen is critical to achieving a perfectly ironed cloth. It is best to iron linen when it is damp, but not dripping wet. If the linen is too wet, ironing becomes challenging as the starch solution will transfer to the ironing board, and it will be difficult to get the linen to lie flat. This can also cause streaking as the starch settles unevenly.
On the other hand, if the linen is too dry, it will not iron well even if you mist it with water. In this case, you should spray the linen with water to relax the fibres and make it easier to iron. However, this extra moisture may not produce the desired results and you may need to start the process again, from the drying stage.
To achieve the correct level of dampness, you can remove excess moisture from a wet altar cloth by placing it in a strainer and pressing down. You can then put the linen in a dryer on the lowest heat setting for a few minutes. It is important to note that linen should not be dried in a dryer after washing, as this can cause premature drying and lead to streaking. Instead, it should be left to dry naturally.
If you are using a steam iron, this will also contribute moisture to the linen. It takes several passes to completely dry the linen using a steam iron.
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Iron temperature
Ironing altar linens requires some care and attention. It is best to iron linen when it is damp, but not dripping wet. If the linen is too dry before ironing, you will not achieve a perfect finish, even if you spray it with water. On the other hand, if the linen is too wet, ironing is difficult and you will find that a lot of the starch solution will transfer to your ironing board.
The ideal iron temperature for altar linens is the hottest setting, known as the linen setting. Before pressing the altar cloth, always check your iron for any grime that might transfer to the linen. You can use a hot iron cleaner to do this.
It is important to note that you should never iron a fold into a linen. Always place a fold with your fingertips. Ironing in a fold will damage and eventually tear the linen.
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Folding corporals
Corporals are square linens used in Christianity for the celebration of the Eucharist. They are placed on the altar during Mass and are used to catch any crumbs from the host during consecration. The linens are usually made of white linen and feature an embroidered cross in the centre.
To fold a corporal, start by laying it out flat with the cross facing up, smoothing out any wrinkles. Next, take the bottom third of the linen and fold it up to cover a third of the material. Then, fold down the top third, bringing in the right and left thirds towards the centre. Finally, crease the folds by dragging your finger along each fold of the material. If you intend to store the corporal for a long time, you can press the creases with an iron.
The corporal should be folded inside-out, which makes it easier for the priest or deacon to spread it out over the altar. It is customarily folded into nine sections and stored flat.
It is important to note that the corporal should be treated with care and respect. It should be carefully folded and unfolded during the presentation of gifts and after Communion.
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Linen storage
Altar linens are sacred objects that should be treated with reverence and respect. Proper linen storage is important to avoid damage from mildew, moths, and insects. Linens should be stored in a well-ventilated cupboard, away from direct heat and moisture. Do not store them in plastic bags or cedar chests, as this can trap moisture and the cedar oil vapour will damage the linen.
To store altar linens, they should be carefully folded or rolled. A pleated altar cloth is aesthetically pleasing and can be easily stored in a drawer, with the pleats preserving the ironing work. Undercloths can be loosely rolled, and the weight of the altar cloth on top will flatten any curves. If the altar cloth is only used on special feast days and will be stored for a long period, it should be wrapped in tissue paper or wrapping paper for protection.
Leftover starch and water solution from the cleaning process can be stored in a lidded bucket for reuse. A few ounces of vodka added to the solution will extend its life. However, discard the solution when it shows signs of deterioration.
To prevent insect damage, lavender is a natural repellent, so storing linens with lavender sachets is recommended. Proper care and storage of altar linens are essential to maintain their beauty and dignity, which adds to the solemnity of the altar and the celebration of the sacred mysteries.
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Frequently asked questions
First, check the whole length of the linen for wax drippings and soot. Remove as much wax as possible by gently flexing the fabric and scraping or brushing away loose pieces. You can also try freezing the linen or applying an ice cube to make the wax brittle and easier to remove. Use the dull side of a butter knife to gently scrape off the wax. Do not use an iron to remove wax as the heat will set the stains. Next, address any oily stains and soot with a stain treatment.
Iron the linens when they are damp, not dripping wet. If the linen is too dry, spray it with water. The iron should be set to the linen temperature setting, which is the hottest setting. Before ironing, check your iron for any grime that might transfer to the linen. Use a hot iron cleaner if necessary.
All linens need to be folded differently, but most should be folded crisply so that any decorations face out. To fold a corporal linen, lay it out flat with the cross facing up and smooth out any wrinkles. Take the bottom third of the linen and fold it up to cover a third of the material. Then, fold down the top third and bring in the right and left thirds towards the centre. Finish by creasing the folds.
Linens should be stored in a cupboard that allows for air circulation as they are subject to mildew. Do not store linens in a plastic bag or a cedar chest, as these can trap moisture and damage the linen. To prevent damage from moths and insects, store linens with a lavender sachet, a natural moth and insect repellent.
