Can 100% Linen Be Put in the Dryer?
From bedding to summer clothing, the possibilities for the use of linen are endless! With 85% of the world’s linen coming from Europe, it is evident that we are lovers of this natural fabric.
Despite its popularity, it seems that many people have questions about how to care for their linen items, with ‘can 100% linen be put in the dryer’ being one of the questions we get most asked. As experts in all things laundry, in this article, we will explore the world of this unique material and share how you can best look after it, so your items stand the test of time!
What is linen?
Linen is an eco-friendly fabric that is made from the fibres found in flax plants. Not only is the fabric highly sustainable, but it is also unique in its appearance, making it popular amongst people of all ages. The material has plenty of benefits, making it ideal for use in various items, including clothing, bedding, towels, curtains, and cushions. Offering a rich feel and strong appearance, linen fibres are thicker, meaning they are also favoured for their ability to last longer than their other fabric counterparts.
Some of the main advantages of using linen are the following:
- Linen is highly breathable, making it ideal for hot climates. Clothing and other products that boast this sustainable construction allow individuals to be much more comfortable than if they were wearing alternative synthetic materials. This also makes it brilliant to use for items such as bedding, towels and even hats.
- The material is also hypoallergenic, making it perfect for individuals who suffer from skin irritations. Linen is commonly used in bedding because it offers a soothing feel for all users.
- It is also very absorbent, which is handy for many reasons. For this purpose, it is also commonly used for towels and tea towels. It is also fast drying which is a huge bonus when used as part of a daily routine or for clothing that has become wet due to sweat or a spill.
- Linen is comfortable to wear as it is highly malleable. The fabric is also lightweight even when damp or wet.
- The material offers brilliant value for money, with items lasting longer than some alternative materials.
- It is an environmentally friendly and sustainable material which is of concern to as many as 67% of consumers who say they would pay extra for a natural material-based item. This also means that linen is biodegradable.
- The construction is highly durable and strong, meaning that items can last for longer. Perfect for use by anyone, we think this really comes into its own when used in kid’s clothing or for household items that are likely to experience lots of wear and tear over time. Linen will remain in brilliant condition no matter what is thrown its way!
- Finally, linen has a luxury look and feel, making it perfect for use in premium accessories that command a higher price tag.
We think we can all agree that linen is a brilliant item to invest in, but how can you care for it? Keep reading to find out more.
Can you put 100% linen in the dryer?
The answer is yes you can put 100% linen in the dryer. There are a few things that you must follow, though, if you don’t want your long-lasting item to experience a premature demise!
As with any fabric, you must always follow the care instructions outlined on the washing label. These offer you the best advice on washing and drying your items, so they last for as long as possible. Linen has been used in drying machines, but if a low temperature is used.
If you use too much heat on linen items, they can experience irreparable damage. Excessive heat can shrink linen items as the fibres become compressed within the fabric. This essential melts and moulds together in a new form, meaning you cannot return the item to its previous state. A drying session using too much heat can also lead to additional wrinkles and damage the construction itself, meaning your item will look much worse than before the process even started! Linen is one of those fabrics that will never be crease-free completely, but that is ok, as it adds to the earthy look that the material stands for.
Being able to dry linen items is just one of the many benefits of investing in this sustainable fabric.
Can you dry clean linen?
Linen can also be dry-cleaned successfully. As dry cleaning works by using precise products to target clothing needs, we can use special cleaning fluids that will not affect the material construction of linen so that it lasts for as long as possible. Treating linen items is just one of the many areas that we specialise in at Love2Laundry.
As with any material or item, we do not recommend trying to carry out the dry cleaning method at home for linen, as you could end up damaging your item. The process of dry cleaning is a fine art that has been mastered by professionals so that items can have a longer lifespan.
It can be complex to look after linen which is why dry cleaning offers brilliant value for money. Whilst the material is fast drying and robust, it is a natural product, and using artificial chemicals on it, such as washing detergents, needs to be handled with care. Having your linen professionally dry-cleaned eliminates any issues arising during the cleaning process.
One of the most common items that we get asked to dry clean is linen bedding, which is favoured for use in hotels and Airbnb. Our Airbnb and hospitality laundry service ensures that linen is treated correctly so that hosts never have to use their profits to pay for new bedding before it is needed.
When will linen shrink?
The nature of linen as a material will shrink when being washed, even when the correct temperatures are being used. You can expect items to shrink by as much as 3-10% during the first wash. To mitigate the change; you can wash your linen items in cold water before the normal washing process.
They will shrink further if you use a high temperature to dry your linen items. Therefore, it is important to use low heat. You can also leave your items to air-dry both in and outside of the home if the weather suits!
Should your item be treated with the wrong heat, all may not be lost. You can wash your item and dry it again but use the correct temperature to try and save it. In this situation, you should use an iron and light-pulling motion to gently expand the fibres again into their previous shape and style. However, if you use the right treatment, this will not be something that you have to deal with!
Can you iron linen?
Just like using heat to dry your linen items, you can also use a household or professional iron to treat the fabric further. You should follow the following tips if you decide this is the best option for you:
- Always use a steam iron.
- Ensure you have a strong ironing board or surface that does move around, as this could cause more wrinkles to appear on the fabric when treating.
- Iron your linen whilst it is slightly damp for the best results.
- Use another material layer between the iron and linen to prevent any damage.
- Keep the iron moving consistency so as not to leave the heat on one area for too long.
- Leave the item to hang and cool completely before wearing or placing it in a wardrobe.
How do we care for linen at Love2Laundry?
As one of the leading online laundry services in the UK, treating linen with complete precision is just one of our many skills. Our team of laundry experts know exactly how to care for linen items so that they leave in brilliant condition and ready to be enjoyed by our clients.
When we receive items for laundering, we always sort them into groups according to aspects such as colours, and materials meaning that linen items are treated by themselves. This ensures linen is never accidentally given the same treatment that other materials have as we would hate for any damage to be caused.
The process that we follow for linen products is then carried out using the correct cleaning products and drying processes. Dry cleaning works by using a gentle spin and drying machine that can be set to any temperature, so it is ideal for treating linen carefully.
Do you need help treating your 100% linen items?
Even though the answer to, ‘can 100% linen be put in the dry’ is yes, we have explained in this blog that it still needs to be treated with care. If you want to send your linen items to us for a professional clean so that you never have to worry about getting the process wrong, check out our services here.
