Questions & Answers

Below are some common questions people ask when thinking about linen and manchester purchases. If your questions aren't answered below, please contact us and we will help you.

In the Living and Dining areas

What shape table cloth do I need?
Different shaped cloths fit better on particular table shapes. Here is a guide to choosing, but you can alter this for different effects.

Type of Table	Suitable Table cloth
Rectangular or oblong table	Rectangular or oblong table cloth
Round table	Round table cloth
Square Table	Square or rectangular cloth
D end table (rectangular with curved corners)	Oblong cloth
Oval table	Oval cloth for the right size or use an oblong cloth (the corners will hang to a point)
Octagonal table	Round table cloth

What size table cloth do I need?

The first step is to know what size table you have and how much overhang you want.

Tables can be classed y the number they comfortable seat, but knowing the actual measurements will ensure your tablecloth fits well. Our consultants can help if you are unsure of which size to buy.

How much overhang will I get?

The first step is to know what size table you have.
Deduct the table length from the table cloth length.
Deduct the table width fro the tablecloth width.
Divide each answer by 2 to determine the overhang at each side/end.

For example, a table is  90 x 150 cm and the cloth is 135 x 180cm. 135-90= 45 then divide by 2 = 22.5cm overhang at the sides; 180 -150=30 divide by 2 = 15 cm overhang at the ends.

The best overhang amount depends on your use of the table. For a dining table, 15 x 22.5 cm is a good sized overhang - any longer risks being sat on and pulling the entire cloth off. For decorative purposes, the amount of overhang is a personal choice.

What do I do if I spill something on a cloth at a dinner party?
A stain is not a stain until it is dry so keep a damp cloth over it until you can fix it up. This works for any stain causing spill and can avoid a fuss.

Dripped candle wax is best treated with ice first to remove majority. Then, you cover the wax with brown paper and iron over it.

Why use a Table Cloth?
Everyday use protects your table from harmful spills, scratches and dents.

A cloth will also cover up marks on an older table.

What if I don't want to hide my table top, I just want some form of protection for it?
You have a number of choices to keep it protected but visible:

1. Use a runner down the centre.
2. Use two runners across the width for a contemporary look. The runners then act as placemats which is very practical.
3. Use a centre Topper
4. Use placemats

What do I use a Topper for?
A topper is a square cloth, normally about 90cm. They can be used on any shape dining table for protection and a great look

You can also use them on coffee tables or bedside tables, or draped over the back of a couch (corner pointing along the back.)

What is an Antimacassar?
About the size of a placemat, Antimacassars are draped over the back of a chair or couch.

Macassar oil was used by some men in the 19th century for a glossy hair oil. It was so called because it was said to be obtained from the Macassar district, now called Ujung Pandang, of the island of Celebes. At the same time, decorum had relaxed so much that men now lounged in the deeply upholstered furniture, lolling their heads back. Thus the washable antimacassar was invented to protect the fabric on lounge suites.
 

In the Bedroom

What is a thread count?
Quality is determined mainly by the thread count (the number of threads woven in a 10sq cm. area). Our thread counts vary from 225 threads per 10sq.cm to 1000 threads per 10sq.cm. Some brands in discount stores have only 75 threads per 10sq cm.

When the thread count is low the threads can move and therefore rub against each other which causes the balling or pilling effect that you may have seen on sheets. Pilling sheets feel scratchy against your body and are most uncomfortable to sleep on. An easy way of determining quality is by price. As the old saying goes - 'You get what you pay for'.

Why do sheets pill?
When the thread count is low the threads can move and therefore rub against each other which causes the balling or pilling effect that you may have seen on sheets. Pilling sheets feel scratchy against your body and are most uncomfortable to sleep on. Thread counts above 180 threads per sq. cm don't pill.

Why aren't sheets pure cotton anymore?
Actually, pure cotton sheets are still available and in use. It's more than cotton blends are more popular.

Whilst pure cotton sheets are lovely, they crease and wrinkle much easier than a cotton/polyester blend does. Pure cotton sheets are also more expensive than the blends. Most of our sheets are a polyester blend, but we also provide 100% cotton.

How do I stop my Quilt Cover from fading?
Like all other fabrics, don't leave it hanging in full sun for long. Hang it on the line inside out to reduce fading on the outside. Strong colours are best washed in cold water.

How do I choose a fitted sheet?
The best fitted sheets have elastic all the way around.

Some fitted sheets tend to have elastic only at the head and foot. The limited elastic makes the sheet far less likely to fit snugly and are more likely to slip off the bed. Note: All of Interior Focus sheets are fully elasticised. 

Will the fitted sheets fit over a pillow top mattress?
There's nothing more annoying than trying to get a sheet on a too thick mattress.

Before going out to buy sheets, measure the depth of your mattress. This will tell you what depth to look for on the packaging of fitted sheets. This is particularly  important if you have a pillow top mattress. Some can be as thick as 45 - 50cm.

We have different depths and most pillow top mattresses are not a lot deeper than 35cm but we do have 40cm and 50cm deep fitted sheets.

Which Pillow should I buy?
If youre looking for a new pillow, the first step is to think about the way you sleep. Do you sleep on your stomach, back or side? Your sleeping style helps determine the height of the pillow that best suits your needs. The height is very important as this supports your head and neck while you sleep.

As a guide,
Side sleepers need: medium - high pillow
Tummy sleepers need: low pillow
Back sleepers need: low - medium pillow

You should always choose the right height of pillow so that your neck and head get maximum support. The next step is to find one that feels comfortable. The choice of pillow feel is purely personal.

 

In the Bathroom

What is the best way to care for a towel?
When laundering towels, machine wash in warm water with similar colours. Always wash dark colours separately and avoid chlorine bleach.

Be sure to wash new towels before use, to remove any excess dye from brilliant colours. Add a small handful of Epson Salts or Cooking Salt to the first wash to remove any coating from the threads. This coating will prevent the towel from absorbing water. This is a good tip for Tea towels as well. The Cooking Salt will prevent strong colours from bleeding.

If youre hanging your towels outside to dry, shake them out before hanging, and shake them again before folding. This fluffs up the terry fibres, making the towels soft and absorbent again.

Should I use fabric softener on my towels?
Do NOT use fabric softeners or dryer sheets on your towels! Washing in fabric softener coats the terry fibres with silicones, and will actually make towels less absorbent.

Adding 1 cup of white vinegar to the final rinse will soften towels.

To freshen towels and keep them smelling sweet, add a half-cup of baking soda to the wash cycle. Youll end up with extra-fresh smelling towels. Tumble drying will enhance the softness of your towels.

 

Questions about Interior Focus

Do you still offer party plan?
At the current time we are not offering party plan opportunities. We have moved into a retail shop in George Street, Morwell, Victoria.

Do you have gift vouchers?
Not yet, but we are looking into them now. If you want a voucher, please contact usand we may be able to help.

What is your refund policy for gifts?
If you buy an item as a gift, or for yourself, we will refund or exchange the item if it is faulty and we are notified within 14 days.For any other alterations, we offer exchanges only.

Is it an Australian company?
Interior Focus is 100% Australian owned and run. We are based in Gippsland, Victoria and source all of our linen and manchester from Australian companies.We are dedicated to supporting the Australian industry whenever possible. However, we offer products manufactured offshore where there is no Australian made equivalent.

Is your site safe?
Interior Focus is absolutely against spam and spyware and related practises.

Any details you provide us will only be used in the process of assisting you and sending you quality linen and manchester. We do not track individual visitors to our site, nor do we in any way give your email details to anyone else.

We currently do not offer internet ordering. Pop in and visit us at our new retail shop at 112 George Street, Morwell, Victoria 3825 or call us on 0427661300 for assistance with your linen enquiry.

Colours have been presented as close to actual colours as possible.