Summer is right around the corner and you know what that means…it’s linen season!
Linen is the perfect hot-weather hero. Made from the flax plant, linen fibers are light, keep you cool, and are extremely chic. Many people shy away from this fancy fabric because they think linen care is too difficult…but guess what? They’re wrong. Yes, your linen does need to be washed differently than other materials, but it’s not a whole to-do—caring for your items is as easy and breezy as the linen fabric itself! In this article, we’ll explain how to wash your linen and make sure it looks as fresh as the day you bought it.
How to Wash Linen
You can wash linen either by hand or by machine. We’ll explain how to do both so you can choose which method works best for your linen clothes or linen bedding:
Washing Linen With Machine
A lot of people wonder if you can machine wash linen. The good news? You can! Here are your linen washing instructions:
- Separate your linen by color and material weight—lights together, darks together, lightweight linen together, and heavyweight linen together.
- Always check the labels and read the care instructions just in case there are any specific guidelines.
- If you’re treating a specific stain, test on the inside of the seam to make sure there isn’t a chemical reaction.
- Turn your linens inside out, button the buttons, zip the zippers, and tie the ties before throwing them in the machine.
- Load the washer.
- Select a gentle wash cycle.
- Wash in lukewarm water (high temperatures may cause shrinkage).
- Remove from the dryer while it’s still damp.
- Air-dry the linen on a padded hanger or a flat surface.
Washing Linen by Hand
- Use your sink or grab a large bowl or container, and fill it with cold or lukewarm water (high heat will cause shrinkage).
- Add mild detergent (look at the package to see how much to add), and submerge your linen garments in the water, leaving them for about 10 minutes.
- Gently make a back-and-forth swishing motion with the linen in the water. Never twist or scrub, as it can damage the fabric.
- Drain your soapy water, and repeatedly rinse your garments until the soap is all gone.
- Do not twist or wring the natural fabric to remove excess water—instead, roll it in a towel to remove excess moisture.
- Finish drying the item on a padded hanger to avoid wrinkles.
Washing Different Types of Linen
How to Wash Linen Shirt?
Before you start washing, button all of the buttons, and turn your shirt inside out. If you’re using a washing machine, set it to a gentle or delicate cycle using cold water or lukewarm water. If you’re hand washing, you can do the same (just beware: avoid using hot water). Once clean, gently reshape your shirt while still damp, and hang it on a padded hanger (you don’t want unsightly marks on your fabric).
How to Wash Linen Pants?
Always wash your linen with like colors. Trust us—you don’t want your white pants turning pink because you accidentally put them in with a red shirt. Turn them inside out, button any buttons, and zip any zippers. Finally, hang them to dry, reshaping them while still damp to prevent wrinkles and creases.
How to Wash a Linen Dress?
As with all linen items, you want to turn your dresses inside out and button all the buttons, tie the ties, and zip the zippers. If you’re using a washing machine, make sure there’s enough room for your garments to breathe. It’s best to wash with lightweight fabrics like cotton to prevent twisting, pulling, and improper rinsing. After your dress is clean, hang it on a padded hanger.
How to Wash Linen Sheets?
Always prep your linen bedding before throwing it in the wash. That means turning your sheets and duvet cover inside out, buttoning the buttons, tying up ties, etc. Wash your bedding with other delicates, but don’t mix it with heavier items like towels or pants. Also, make sure that the machine has enough space for the bedding to rinse properly. (You don’t want a sopping wet sheet!)
Frequently Asked Questions About Linen
Does linen shrink?
It does. Linen typically shrinks after the first wash by about 4%. That’s why it’s so important to wash your items correctly, with low heat.
Linen vs. Cotton?
While linen and cotton are both amazing options, linen is the clear winner. Why? Because linen gets better with each wash while cotton fabrics are weakened with each wash. Plus linen is more eco-friendly!
How often should linen be washed?
It depends on the item! If it’s bedding, we recommend washing your linen sheets about once a week. If it’s clothing, you can just wash it as needed since you don’t want to overwash the fabric. And remember: always hang dry linen!
Can I iron linen?
You can, but you don’t need to! Linen has natural creases and crumples which give it its beautiful, relaxed look. But if your item is exceptionally wrinkly, you can iron the fabric while it’s still damp. Use a medium-hot iron on the steam setting.
How to store linen?
Always store your linens in a cool, dry place. You can also forget the plastic bags, cardboard boxes, and cedar chests—linen is resistant to moths and other clothing eaters. When you take it out of storage, let it air out.
Need Help?
Whether you’re washing your linen by hand or going the more modern route with a washing machine, remember this before washing:
- Always turn your linen inside out.
- Button any buttons, tie any ties, and zip any zippers.
- Wash with cold or lukewarm water.
- If you’re using a machine, put it on a gentle cycle; if you’re washing by hand, gently swish the clothes back and forth.
- Dry on a padded hanger to avoid wrinkles.
There you have it—the answer on how to safely wash your linen items. That said, there may be times when you simply don’t have the energy to launder your linen. In those cases, Taskrabbit can help. From linen to silk to down comforters, book your laundry service today.
