Care Tips

Linen care guide

Let’s just start by saying that caring for linen items is simple and rather straightforward — high-quality linen fabric is sturdy and durable on its own so you won’t have to slave away tending to its whims. However, if you want to make the most of your linen items, here are some basic rules you should follow.

How to wash linen clothing?

Because linen clothing is usually more detailed and structured than, for example, linen sheets or duvet covers, it may require some extra attention when washing. One thing lots of people want to avoid – or at least control – is the creasing that happens to linen clothes. A couple of ways to do that is by washing linen clothing in plenty of space and hanging it to dry immediately after the wash.

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 of getting stains out of linen is doing it as soon as they develop. If you let dirt, oil, grease, and other stains sit, they will absorb deep into the fiber making removal a difficult and annoying 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 put some dish soap and gently massage it until the dirt comes out, then wash it as you usually would. Some stains are trickier and might come off by sprinkling baking soda and a few drops of vinegar on the fabric, then blotting it with a paper towel to soak up the moisture.

Drying linen

Drying your linens is a method of your own choice, but let us run through the basics. Pre-washed linen items can be easily machine (tumble) dried on low heat.

Remove from the dryer when they’re still slightly damp and hang or lie flat 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.

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.

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 is plastic bags — choose linen bags or reuse old pillowcases for that. When it comes to bed linens, we recommend using three sets in rotation: one on the bed, one in the closet, and one in the wash. This will allow each set to rest from wash to wash and prolong the lifespan of your linens.

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Benefits of Wearing Linen Clothing

Durable

Linen is known as the world’s strongest natural fiber and is far more durable than cotton. The strength of the fiber directly contributes to the strength of the fabric the garment is made of. Thus, linen clothing is very long-lasting.

Linen clothes will not lose their shape after washing, if anything, they will become softer and more pleasant to the skin over time. One shouldn’t assume linen is indestructible but it sure is resilient. If properly looked after, it’s possible your linen garments won’t disintegrate for generations to come.

Easy to care for

Above we mentioned that appropriate care is important to linen garments. Linen garments can be machine washed — all you need to bear in mind is to use cold water and not use bleach or detergents with optical whiteners, as those tend to weaken the fiber. You can tumble dry your linen clothes or hang them to dry naturally.

Another good thing about linen is that it doesn’t need to be ironed to look good. High-quality linen is wrinkly and those wrinkles are part of its beauty — that effortless elegance that is achieved with linen clothing rarely applies to any other material.

Hypoallergenic

Many people suffer from allergies and various skin conditions and they’ve probably come to notice that certain types of fabrics often agitate their symptoms. That is because many fabrics allow moisture to build up, which is then the perfect ecosystem for bacteria and microbes to breed. With linen, it’s totally NOT the case.

Linen is very breathable, allows air to move around freely and thus, releases moisture very fast. That’s not to say it is anti-allergic — it will not remove your allergies altogether, but linen is definitely a safe choice for anyone experiencing some type of discomfort.

Suitable for every season

To wear linen for all season — how can the same fabric keep you both cool and warm? Well, that’s just one of the magical qualities linen has. It’s obvious that linen clothing is perfect for summer: it is lightweight, breathable, moisture-wicking… But people are increasingly choosing linen garments for spring, autumn, and even winter.

Flax, from which linen is made, is actually used to make home insulation products. Reasons behind it are the same as with clothing: flax / linen are natural insulators and are capable of releasing excess humidity. So while cotton or wool might make you feel warmer at first, it will also make you sweat. Linen clothes will retain the heat from your body and release the excess making you feel nice and cozy.

Versatile

Whether you’re dressing up for a formal event, corporate environment, or aiming for a more casual, low-key look, linen has an innate ability to compliment every occasion. 

 

“And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.”

Revelation 19:8