Linen Care Guide
Linen is the fabric of the season - and with good reason. Sourced from the fibres of a flax, it’s lightweight but strong, absorbent but breathable, biodegradable and only gets softer with age. Discover how best to take care of your linen with our top tips:
Rule 1
Washing
Always check the care instructions label before cleaning. However, if washable, you have two options for laundering your linen at home: by hand or by machine. Wash in lukewarm or cold water and if possible, use mild soap or a non-biological detergent to maintain its colour. Remember, never use bleach as the harsh chemicals damage and degrade the fibres of the cloth and ideally, wash it separate from other fabrics as it is a highly absorbent textile. If done correctly, every wash will enhance the softness, natural beauty and lustrous quality of your linen.
Rule 2
Drying
After washing, remove your linen as quickly as possible from the basin or washing machine to avoid wrinkles. Linen benefits from drying naturally so reshape whilst damp and lay your linens flat as they dry, which will also reduce the chances of wrinkles.
Rule 3
Ironing
If there’s more than a hint of creasing in your linen, don’t panic. For the best results, run your iron across the front and reverse whilst the linen is still a little bit damp so as to avoid burning the fabric. Extra wrinkles? Lay a damp, light-coloured cotton T-shirt over your linen before running a warm iron on steam setting across it.
Rule 4
Storing
When stowing away clean and dry linen at the end of the summer, store in a cool, dry place. Avoid wrapping it in plastic. Slatted wooden shelves will allow the air to circulate and keep your linen fresh. Try to store your favourite linen pieces as flat as possible to avoid wrinkling and creasing.
