Linen is a wonderfully sturdy and versatile fabric. Whether it’s linen bedding, linen apparel, or dining linen - it’s a smart choice that comes with a whole host of benefits.
It’s 100% natural, sustainable, anti-bacterial, anti-static, thermo-regulating, and moisture-wicking. Linen clothing or bedding don’t stick to your body, they absorb moisture and dry quickly. Linen also naturally repels dust and dirt. All of these properties allow less frequent washes of your linen. However, do not be afraid to wash it as much as needed, linen will not weaken and will only get more beautiful with every wash!
The good news is that washing linen is not complicated nor difficult. But there are some caveats that could hinder the durability of this all-natural fabric.
To maintain your linen in top shape, so that you can keep enjoying its benefits for years, have a read through our guide for best linen care practices.
Linen can be machine-washed or hand-washed.
Turn your linen clothes and bedding inside out, button all the buttons, and zip the zippers.
Make sure there’s enough space for linen to move around during the wash, linen being too scrunched up will result in weakened fibres over time.
Try not to wash your linen goods with heavy items such as towels, jeans, or jackets. Place delicate or fringed linens in a pillowcase before putting them in a washing machine.
Use plenty of water - linen absorbs water very well.
Linen should be washed with cold or warm water (30-40°C will do fine). Hot water may cause linen to shrink or weaken.
Use a mild, dye-free detergent; harsh chemicals will weaken linen fibres and discolour the fabric.
Never use bleach on linen.
Whether hand or machine washing, be sure to rinse your linen completely in lots of water to remove any soap, detergent, and residual soil. This will help to avoid the formation of “age spots“ which are caused by the oxidation of the cellulose – linen's primary component.
If you stain your linen, the best practice is to get the stain out immediately with a mild water-detergent solution. However, we understand this is not always possible. If the stain has stayed on the fabric for longer and has already soaked into the fibres, try to avoid using harsh chemicals. Some natural solutions to try are sprinkling bicarbonate soda on the stain or using some white vinegar (vinegar is also great for reviving white linen). Also, resist rubbing the stain intensely as this may cause the stain to set into linen fibres even more.
Read the in-depth stain removal guide to learn how to treat specific stains.
It’s best to air-dry linen. Simply shake your garments and hang them over a line. Linen being naturally moisture-wicking, dries rather quickly.
If possible, avoid drying natural and dyed linen in bright sunlight. However, it's the opposite with white linens - drying them in the sun will naturally prevent white linen from darkening.
Tumble drying is also an option, but linen should only be dried on a low heat setting or preferably no heat at all. High heat is likely to shrink the fabric.
Linen’s wrinkles are part of its charm and are widely accepted, however, if you wish to minimise the creasing, hang the linen right away after it’s finished washing. If you prefer to tumble dry, we recommend removing linen from the dryer while it’s still a little damp so as to allow it to dry nicely, without any overwhelming creases.
If you choose to iron the creases, it’s best if the fabric is slightly damp in order to produce steam, then let it dry completely after ironing and before storing.
Turn dark linen items inside out, as dark linens should only be ironed on the inner side. In terms of white or light-colored linen – iron the inner side first, then the outer side. The iron temperature shouldn’t exceed 200°C.
Use a press cloth to safeguard delicate lace and cutwork while ironing. A press cloth also helps to avoid press marks over seams, hems, and pockets.
If your linens are dry and difficult to iron, we recommend putting them in a plastic bag and placing it in the freezer for 20 – 30 minutes; this will make ironing much easier.
If you’re traveling and have no iron on hand - don’t worry! Just take your linen clothing out of the luggage as soon as you arrive, spray it with some water, and lay it down flat. It will dry quickly, and will significantly reduce any creasing.
Storing linen is as simple as storing other fabrics. Make sure your linen rests in a dry and cool area - any moisture will result in mildew growing on your linen.
The storage should also be well ventilated, linen is a natural material and needs to breathe in order to stay fresh. Avoid storing linen in plastic bags, it’s best to use fabric ones (a great way to recycle those old pillowcases).
Store linen rolled rather than folded in order to avoid folds stressing the fabric. Clothes may be hung to keep them crease-free.
A nice and easy trick to keep moths away is to have some lavender in your storage, although you’ll be glad to know that linen fabric naturally has moth-resistant qualities.
Once you order a linen item from us, you’ll receive it pre-washed, softened, and carefully packaged. It should be fine to start using your new linen piece right after its journey from us to you.
Just like the strong flax plant, which doesn’t require much water or even insecticides to grow, linen fabric is stronger than most think.
With love and care, you can be sure your investment in linen will be providing for years, even decades!
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