How to Wash Linen
One of the most natural and valued fabrics in the world, linen is derived from the stalks of the flax plant. It is one of the oldest textiles in the world. The fabric dates back over 10,000 years, as far back as the 7th millennium BC. The Ancient Egyptians were experts at linen textile production, as they used it to make clothing and for wrapping mummies.
For centuries since then and still today, linen has been used in all sorts of household items including tablecloths, curtains, duvets, towels, soft furnishings, and clothing such as skirts and undergarments. It’s no surprise then, that many still enquire exactly how to wash linen. The use of linen doesn’t just stop there. Linen is also used for surgical thread, lampshades, painting canvasses and currency making.
A very sustainable fabric, it is 100% biodegradable and produces zero waste. Linen comes in natural colours such as ivory, grey and beige, but also in other colours including dyed white, blue and black. The fabric is also incredibly breathable and hypoallergenic, so it is hugely skin-friendly and a perfect bedding choice for people with asthma and allergies.
So How Do You Wash Linen?
The good news is you can wash most of your linens in the washing machine. Amazingly, linen becomes softer with every wash, making it a super easy maintenance fabric. A few linens will warn you on the label not to put wash them in a washing machine; in this case, you can hand wash them yourself with warm water and soap powder.Check the instructions on the labels of your linen items to see if they come with recommended temperatures.
Always separate your whites from your darks, so the colours don’t run and make a mess.
Turn your linen bedding or clothes inside out to prevent the colours from mixing. This keeps your linen products looking newer and lasting longer.
Wash linen on a low, gentle cycle. Do not wash linen using very hot water, as nice lukewarm water will be better for the fibres. A good temperature to wash linen would be 40 degrees Celsius, and no more than this, to effectively wash out stains, dirt and body oils.
When you put your linen into the washing machine, don’t overload your machine with various other materials as well. It is best to let your linen wash on its own, separate from other fabrics. Make sure there is plenty of room for the linen to spin around naturally in your washing machine.
Use a mild laundry detergent that is specially formulated to work on soft fabrics at low temperatures. Ideally, look for a laundry detergent that is free from VOCs such as chlorine bleaches, parabens, solvents and sulphates. This is because toxic chemicals can weaken and destroy the natural fibres of linen.
You might want to choose a laundry detergent that is made for washing baby clothes, as the formula will be gentler and free from artificial scents or dyes.
Can Linen Go in the Tumble Dryer?
Yes, unless stated otherwise on the label, linen can be dried using the tumble dryer, on the lowest possible setting. However, linen can shrink with too much heat.
So you might want to consider air drying your linen items by placing them on a towel or on an air drying rack. Luckily, linen dries quickly, so this method isn’t too time-consuming.
Don’t dry your linen items on hangers, as this creates marks on the fabric and can cause your garments to lose their shape.
How Can I Hand Wash Linen?
- Prepare a bowl of lukewarm water and pour in a teaspoon of a gentle laundry detergent
- Soak your linen item in the bowl for ten minutes, moving it around gently to remove the dirt
- Don’t scrub the linen item with force, or wring it, as harsh movements can wreck the textile’s fibres
- Rinse gently to remove the soapy water and leave the linens to air dry
Does Linen Shrink if You Wash It?
Yes, very cold water or very hot water can cause linen fabrics to shrink. Linen can shrink up to 3-4% of its original size. Using the incorrect temperature settings each time can make your linen shrink repeatedly, which damages the fabric’s fibres.
So, it is best to wash linen in lukewarm water and use the same method each time you wash it, to prevent shrinkage. You don’t want to wash your linen in extremely hot water one day, and then wash it in extremely cold water the next day; as this difference in washing will cause shrinkage.
What Can I Do if My Linen Has Shrunk After a Wash?
To unshrink your linen, the best thing to do is give it a rinse for 10 minutes. Again, don’t wring it to dry. Let it air dry on a towel or air-drying rack.
While the linen item is still damp, place it on an ironing board and start ironing it. This will give the linen item a bit of a stretch. Pull the linen gently in the corners to stretch it a bit further, but don’t overdo it on this step.
Allow the linen to air dry again. This method may not return the linen item completely to its original shape, but it will help to reduce the shrinkage.
Can You Wash 100% Linen?
Yes, just make sure your water temperature is lukewarm each time. Remember to hand wash linen gently or set the washing machine on a gentle cycle.
Can You Dry-Clean Linen?
Yes, you can take your linen items for professional dry-cleaning and ease your mind that your clothes and bedding will be thoroughly cleaned, saving you time, effort and stress.
Some linen items will come with a label that says ‘dry clean only’, so follow the care instructions for each item.
How Can I Pre-treat Stains Before I Wash Linen Items?
To make life easier, you can pre-treat any stains before your linen goes into the washing machine. This will prevent any large stains from mixing onto other items you might throw in the washing machine.
Don’t forget to let these pre-treated linen items air dry. This might even remove the stain altogether, saving you a spin inside the washing machine. You can use soap powder or bicarbonate of soda and vinegar to get rid of those pesky stains.
Do I Need to Iron My Linen Bed Sheets?
You don’t have to iron your linen if you don’t want to, but ironing can effectively remove wrinkles from your linen bed sheets, pillowcases and clothing.
- Make sure your linen sheet is slightly damp after being washed.
- Then, turn your linen sheet inside out.
- Fold your linen sheet into quarters.
- Make sure your iron is fully heated up.
- Iron the linen sheet gently.
How Do I Store My Linen?
- Never tidy away linen while it is wet or damp- make sure it is fully dry before you put it away for storage.
- You could store your linen in a cotton bag to keep them fresh and make them last longer.
- You can also store linen bed sheets inside a linen pillowcase if they come in a set. Tie them with a ribbon to stop the bed sheets from falling out.
- Baskets are another great way to organise your linen. Label each basket for easy access.
- Roll your linen items to fit snugly in your cupboards if you are short on storage space.
- To keep moths away, place lavender or cedarwood sachets in your wardrobes with your linen items.
Now you know how to wash linen, you can take better care of your items and maintain their high standard of quality. If you wash and dry your linens well, they will last you for years to come.
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