Does Linen Shrink When It Is Dry Cleaned?

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?