Linen Care

Linen is an authentic and beautiful textile whose fibers are natural and becomes softer after washing and overtime. To gain the benefits of linen and avoid damage, follow the guidlines down below. 

How to wash linen clothing?

Linen items can be both hand washed and machine washed - either of these methods are fine and won’t stretch or shrink your linens

Because linen clothing is more detailed and structured than, for example, linen sheets or duvet covers, it requires extra attention when washing.

Machine wash:
1. Separate white, dark, and colored linens. For best results, wash separately from other fabrics.
2. Wash in lukewarm water (<40°C/104°F). High temperatures may cause shrinkage of up to 10% and weaken the linen fiber.
3. Use the gentle machine cycle and don’t overload your washing machine.
4. Use mild detergent formulated for delicate fabrics. Don't bleach.

      

Hand wash:
1. Fill a small container (bucket or sink) with lukewarm water and add about a teaspoon of mild detergent.
2. Submerge the linen garment in lukewarm water and let it soak for about 10 minutes.
3. Gently swish the item around. Don’t wring, twist or scrub as it can stretch the fabric.
4. Drain the soapy water and rinse repeatedly until the soapy residue is all gone. Hang to dry.

      

Related Questions

Removing stains from linen

The main rule to removing stains off of linen is doing it as soon as they emerge. If you let dirt, oil, grease, and other stains sit, they will absorb deep into the fiber making removal a troublesome task.

If you have a minor spot, try soaking it in a water-detergent solution or washing it with club soda. If that doesn’t help, you can use some dish soap and gently massage it until the dirt comes out, then wash as you usually would. Some stains are trickier and might come off by sprinkling baking soda and a few drops of vinegar onto the fabric, then blotting with a paper towel to soak up the moisture.

Drying linen

There are a few methods to choose from for drying your linen and prevent creasing to your garments. First, begin by washing linen clothing in plenty of space.

Pre-washed linen items can be easily machine (tumble) dried on low heat. Remove from the dryer when they’re slightly damp and hang or lie flat immediately to finish the process.

Air drying is another great option that saves on electricity and adds softness to the linen items. Line-dry your items or dry them flat on a white towel immediately after washing.

Bleaching linen

Not the best idea. Bleach and detergents with optical brighteners tend to weaken the fibers and may cause discoloration. If you’re dealing with a stain, please refer to the steps mentioned above.

Softening linen

Linen naturally gets softer with every wash, and stone washed linen should already be at its maximum softness. Fabric softeners (liquid or dryer sheets) weaken the fibers and coat them reducing their absorbency and moisture-wicking properties.

Ironing linen

Natural fibers like linen will wrinkle, crumple and crease, you just have to accept it.

However, if you really want an item pressed, use a medium-hot iron on the fabric while it’s still damp or overlay it with a damp towel. Never iron your linen fabric when it's dry, and be careful not to iron at too high of a temperature.

You may also opt for steaming linen fabric which is the safest option for removing wrinkles. An advantage to steaming your linen is you can do so while the garment is dry.

Storing linen

Make sure your linens are completely dry to avoid mildew. Natural fibers like linen need to breathe, so it’s best to store them in cool, dry, well-ventilated areas and away from direct sunlight. Avoid storing linen in plastic bags — choose linen bags or reuse old pillowcases.