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The Linen Care Guide
A woven fabric with a casual texture that gets better with every wear and wash. Here’s how to care for your linen clothing.
Naturally light and airy, linen is a true warm weather staple. It’s crafted using fibres from the flax plant, which are spun and then woven into a structured yet lightweight fabric.
We love linen for the way it softens over time, gaining more character and texture with every wear and wash. Here's how to care for your linen clothing to get the most from the fabric.
How to Wash Linen Clothing
- Separate your wash into lights and darks to avoid colour transfer.
- Check the care label and follow your garment’s specific guidance.
- Use a mild detergent to protect the fibre and colour.
- If washing in the machine, use a gentle cycle at no more than 30°C. Turn the spin setting down and only fill the machine halfway. This will help reduce creasing as the garments will have more space in the drum.
- If hand washing, use lukewarm or cold water. Avoid over wringing the garment.
How to Dry Linen Clothing
- Remove your linen from the washing machine or sink as soon as possible to stop creases setting in.
- While linen is still wet, smooth and press out any creases with your hands.
- Don’t wring out excess water. The extra water will help weigh down the linen as it hangs and encourage a smoother finish when it dries.
- Hang your linen pieces on an airer and leave to dry naturally.
- Do not tumble dry or hang over radiators as excessive heat may cause shrinkage and misshaping.
How to Iron Linen Clothing
- Iron your linen while the fabric is still slightly damp. This will make it easier to remove creases.
- Turn linen inside out before ironing to avoid damaging the fibres.
- Use your iron a medium heat. Use steam for any stubborn creases.
- If it is a delicate piece, use a cotton t-shirt or pillowcase as a protective layer.
How to Store Linen Clothing
- Hang linen to avoid adding any fold lines or creases.
- If folding your linen, fold lightly and keep at the top of the pile. This will prevent the weight of other garments pressing creases into your linen.
- Keep linen out of direct sunlight to avoid fading.
Linen Care FAQs
Iron your linen on a medium heat while it is still damp. It's easier to remove creases when the fibres are wet. If your linen is already dry, use a spray bottle filled with water to dampen any stubborn creases before ironing.
You can prevent excessive creasing by handwashing linen. Or, if using the machine, only fill halfway, turn the spin setting down, and hang your linen as soon the cycle finishes.
Linen prefers to dry naturally so we recommend avoiding the tumble dryer. Heat can shrink or damage the fibres, and tumbling can create extra creases in the fabric.
If you have to tumble dry linen; use a cool temperature, remove from the machine while still slightly damp, and hang on an airer to finish drying
Try to catch stains as soon as possible to give yourself the best chance at removing them from the fabric before they settle in. Start by blotting the fabric with cold water. Avoid heat as that could set the stain and make it harder to remove.
If cold water doesn’t work, use a small amount of gentle, bleach-free fabric detergent and blot the area. Rinse fully in cold water and air dry naturally.
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