Giving Your Linen an Effective Clean
With its luxurious feel, breathability, durability and effortless beauty, it’s easy to understand why linen is a fabric that’s loved so widely. However, when it comes to how to wash this classic fabric, most people don’t know what to do. Fortunately, no matter the linen garment, getting them clean can actually be easy with the right techniques and tips. Let’s explore.
Top Tip: Whether you’re washing a white linen blouse or washing linen sheets, it is essential to prepare them properly. Start by sorting your linen fabrics by colour and texture. Washing different textures together can cause damage to the fabric, and washing dark and light colours together can result in colour transfer.
To wash your linen effectively, follow these tips and tricks:
- 1
Be Gentle: An important tip when it comes to washing linen is to be gentle. Linen is a delicate fabric and harsh washing can cause it to lose its shape and texture. To avoid this, always wash your linen on a gentle cycle. If you will be hand washing your linen, avoid twisting or wringing the fabric as you wash it.
- 2
Choose Cool Water: When washing linen sheets or clothing, choose cold or lukewarm water for your cycle or hand wash, as hot water can cause shrinkage and damage the linen.
- 3
Use a Mild Detergent: Always wash your linen using a mild detergent. Strong detergents can damage the fibres, leaving your linen looking worn and faded. So look for a gentle detergent that is specifically formulated for delicate fabrics to clean your linens.
- 4
Skip the Fabric Softener: While fabric softeners may be a staple for some laundry routines, they are not recommended for linen. The same applies to bleach and dryer sheets too as they can cause discolouration and damage to the linen fibres.
- 5
Hang to Dry: When it comes to drying linen, air-drying is the way to go. Avoid using a dryer, as the heat can cause the fabric to shrink and lose its shape. Instead, hang your linen to dry on a clothesline or drying rack.
- 6
Iron with Caution: While linen is naturally wrinkle-resistant, it may still require some ironing to smooth out any stubborn creases. If you need to iron your linen, do so while it is still slightly damp. Use a low to medium heat setting and iron on the reverse side to prevent any damage to the fibres.
While washing linen requires special care to keep it looking and feeling its best, with these six tips, you can effectively clean your linen so that you can enjoy this timeless, stylish fabric for years to come. So give our simple guide a try and get ready to fall in love with your linens all over again!
