Easy Tips on Caring for Linen

Hands up 🙋🏻‍♀️if you are one of those who are intimidated by wearing linen because you think it’s difficult to care for. Fret not, we’ve put together these easy-to-follow tips for everyday care so you can keep wearing your favourite linen pieces for years to come. 

Here are 5 top tips to care for your linen clothing and extend its lifespan:

1. If you are going to machine wash, put them on a gentle cycle

Linen fibers are known to be strong and durable, even more so than cotton. However, because of the way linen fibers are structured and its lower thread count than cotton, overhandling will cause damage. For this reason, put your linen garments on a gentle cycle to lessen agitation. (Or if you prefer, you can wash them by hand too.)

2. Wash your linen in lukewarm or cold water

Linen, similar to cotton has a tendency to shrink under hot water temperatures. And for that reason, wash them in lukewarm or cold water below 30 degrees.

3. Wash alongside delicate and lightweight fabrics

Wash alongside delicate and lightweight fabrics in the same wash load. Think undergarments, camisoles or your cotton tees. These will allow your linen clothing to move freely in the machine. Avoid washing with heavy items like jeans, hoodies, and towels. 

4. Avoid using bleach and fabric softeners

Bleaching will not only weaken the fibers, but it may also cause discolouration. Fabric softeners will also weaken the fibers and coat them, making them less absorbent and reducing their moisture-wicking properties. Linen will soften with every wash and you can soften them naturally by adding ½ cup of baking soda or 1 cup of vinegar to the wash.

5. Keep linen clothing in a cool dry place

Keep your linen clothing in a cool, dry and well-ventilated place to avoid mildew. You can even store them in your pillowcases! Secret tip: toss a couple of lavender sachet bags together with your linen folds to keep them smelling fresh. 

Now that we have shared these tips, we hope that caring for linen has become much simpler and straightforward (because it really is). If you have any more tips, go ahead and share them in the comment section below.

Pssst, confident in wearing linen? You can shop for our linen range here. 😉