Does Linen Shrink When It Is Dry Cleaned?
38% of consumers say they want fashion brands to reduce their environmental impact by offering more sustainable solutions. This may well be one of the reasons that the linen clothing market is expected to show a CAGR of 11.2% by 2031. Whether you are a shopper who loves to choose natural items or are just a fan of the light and airy finish, this long-lasting material offers in the warmer months, linen clothing is likely to find a place in your wardrobe.
With the natural and sleek finishes comes a plethora of laundry woes, as linen is regarded by many as a tricky item to wash. When looked after properly, it can last for years. However, there is also the risk of linen pieces becoming damaged when not washed correctly, as the natural fibres are known for being fragile.
In this blog, we will examine whether dry cleaners offer the ideal way to freshen up linen garments. Whether you need to clean linen shirts, dresses or even trousers, we will explore how you can achieve a fresh finish without the dreaded shrunken finish. Keep reading to learn more.
Why Is Linen Prone to Shrinking?
All fabric items bring with them a risk of shrinking during the laundry process. It’s normal for items to shrink by up to 3% when being laundered, but usually, this can be treated with a finishing process such as an iron.
Linen is a more complex material to manage, designed to shrink naturally. The fabric is made from the stalks of flax plants, making it one of the most common natural fibres from which items can be made. Although linen is known for being robust, durable and long-lasting, it can commonly shrink when not washed properly.
This is because the process of making linen involves the flax fibres being stretched and manipulated into a fabric from which items can be constructed. When linen comes into contact with water, the flax fibres contract, causing the item to shrink to its original form. The high water and heat elements combined impact items returning to their original state, representing precisely what washing creates.
Linen can shrink more when in contact with hot or warm water but is still sometimes impacted by cold water. The best way to manage linen processing is to keep the fibres in place with low or no heat.
Can You Dry Clean Linen Without It Shrinking?
Now, for the reason you have clicked on this article, can you dry clean linen without it shrinking?
The answer is no, you cannot, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad laundering method. Dry cleaning is one of the best methods of cleaning linen items as it does not use water.
Instead, dry cleaning uses specifically designed products to treat items when dry. They are then placed in a dry cleaning machine, which gently rotates items to agitate the solution into working. Items are then finished using steaming, pressing or ironing to set the fabric fibres into place, ensuring a hardy, long-lasting finish.
Shrinking still takes place for linen items, as dry cleaning uses a process of heat and movement that produces steam. As this contains water particles within the steam, items are still exposed to some form of liquids. However, dry cleaning is ideal for removing wrinkles and stains from linen as it exposes items to less liquid than traditional washing.
You can also treat linen items if they have slightly shrunk via dry cleaning, as it’s not much of an effort. As you will know, accidentally washing a dry, clean-only item can spell the end for some items. Instead, with linen, items can be gently manipulated back into shape via dry methods and finishing processes. If you wash instead of dry clean linen, it may be a very different story as the item may shrink to damage the fibres if excessive heat is used.
How To Prevent Linen From Shrinking
Now that you know you don’t have to look for an alternative to dry cleaning if you have some linen items that need laundering, we thought it would also be handy to share some tips we recommend for eliminating shrinkage. All these hacks are tried and tested by our housekeeping experts, who process hundreds of pieces of linen daily.
To prevent linen from shrinking when washing, you should adopt the following:
- Treat linen items alone or with other fabrics suitable for a cold water wash. This reduces shrinkage in two ways. The first is eliminating warm or hot water from the chore, and the second is ensuring items have more space to move around freely.
- Use gentle and shorter cycles if washing. You should be able to find out what is recommended for the item in question by checking the care label.
- Use mild and/or natural detergents and other items such as fabric sprays. These are designed to impact the fibres less, which is ideal for linen. Similarly, you should also never use bleach or harsh products.
- If items become warm through the laundering process when damp, rinse with cold water to bring the temperature back to a healthy range to prevent shrinkage.
How To Treat Linen Items If They Have Shrunk
If a linen item has shrunk, don’t despair, as you can sometimes rewrite history by treating your items so they’re as good as new once more. As the shrinkage has likely occurred due to exposure to warm water, you should soak the item in lukewarm water for a few minutes to loosen up the fibres. Once done, ensure any water has been rung out and then dry on a non-slip hanger to prevent pulling.
This may be enough to relieve the shrinkage, but if not, you should lay the item in between a towel on an ironing board. Once laid perfectly flat, light heat can pull the item back to its intended size. This works by loosening the fibres and effectively setting them back into position. Do not use firm pressure, as this could lead to more damage.
Instead, repeat any of these steps with increasing pressure or longevity until the item is ready to wear again.
Why Should You Choose Love2Laundry For Linen Item Treatment?
As expert dry cleaners, the Love2Laundry team are perfectly equipped to treat touch materials, such as linen items.
Professional Experience
Linen is no match for our laundry experts who deal with a plethora of items everyday. We select our team based on proven housekeeping experience which includes knowing how to wash, dry clean and finish items to a consistently high standard.
State-Of-The-Art Equipment
Our industrial tools allow any laundering conditions to be achieved thanks to their advanced functionality. When it comes to washing or dry cleaning linen, low temperatures are needed. Our equipment offers the perfect conditions for linen items to be treated without shrinkage or damage happening.
Sustainable Products
As we have mentioned, it is advised to treat linen with natural cleaning products so as not to put pressure on the fabrics fibres. As a sustainable laundry service, we only use natural solutions which are ideal for linen items. Natural dry cleaning is something we do our best to achieve which is beneficial in particular for linen pieces.
Standard Pricing
Lastly, some companies will charge for more complex items but not us. Our dry cleaning costs start from just a couple of pounds offering an affordable solution for any budget.
Love2Laundry is your go-to laundry app for dry cleaning that offers the perfect way to return dresses to their former glory. Contact us if you have any questions.
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